Whiskey & Sunshine: Contemporary Western Romance (Whiskey River West Book 5), page 51
Whiskey & Sunshine
Whiskey River West, Book 5
Kelly Moore
Edited by Kerry Genova
Illustrated by Dark Water Covers
Photography by Paul Henry Serres
Copyright © 2023 by Kelly Moore
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
1. Knox
2. Knox
3. Beck
4. Knox
5. Beck
6. Knox
7. Knox
8. Beck
9. Knox
10. Beck
11. Knox
12. Knox
13. Beck
14. Knox
15. Beck
16. Knox
17. Knox
18. Beck
19. Knox
20. Beck
21. Knox
22. Knox
23. Beck
24. Knox
25. Knox
26. Beck
27. Knox
Playlist
Series
About the Author
1
Knox
“Thank God you’re alright. I was worried sick the entire flight.” I rush into his hospital room, tossing my purse on an empty seat and throwing my arms around his neck.
“I’m okay, sweetheart. I wish you hadn’t rushed to get here, but I’m so glad to see your beautiful face.”
Mom gets out of her chair and stands by my side, hugging me when I finally let go of Daddy. “I’m so sorry. When I called you, I was in a panic, not knowing the extent of your father’s heart attack. The cardiologist said that he was able to open up two of his blockages. The third one was only minor.”
“Don’t apologize. Either way, I’d want to be here.” Relief fills me, but tears fall anyway from all the emotions I’ve been holding in for the past seven hours. Walker booked a flight for me as soon as I received the phone call from my mother. The five-hour flight seemed like an eternity. All that kept running through my head was that I wasn’t ready to tell my father goodbye. He’s always been larger than life to me, my rock, my mentor, and the best dad a girl could ever ask for.
“Where is your brother?” Dad shifts in his hospital bed to look around me, and one of his leads comes off, sounding an alarm. I pick the sticky pad up and place it back on his chest. “Jace is parking the car. I didn’t even give him time to park before I was jumping out of his truck.”
“Dang, Sis, I nearly ran over you,” my baby brother gripes, bolting into Daddy’s ICU room.
“I needed to see that he was still with us. I’d still be out in the parking lot waiting for you to shift that old clunker into a spot.”
“Don’t you be talking bad about Bertha.” He aims a finger at me.
“What is it with the men in this family holding on too tightly to their old junkers?” I laugh.
“It ain’t just the men. I recall my sister, Clem, not wanting to let go of her old blue pickup. In fact, it wasn’t until Bear convinced her that it died for good.”
“Really? I’ve never known him or Blaise to be unable to bring anything with an engine back to life.”
“I said he convinced her, not that he couldn’t fix it. He removed the distributor cap without her knowing, so it would never start.”
“Did she ever find out?”
“She did, and Boone had to keep her from lighting your uncle on fire.” My mom’s smile tugs at the wrinkles around her mouth. She’s aging but in a beautiful way. Her eyes still have that same mischievous sparkle in them even through her outdated wire-rimmed glasses, and wisps of gray are sprinkled throughout her hair. And the love she has for my daddy still remains.
“Why isn’t Deacon here?” I ask.
“I was in the middle of directing a crane for a new building downtown when my chest tightened. He rushed me here, and once he knew I wasn’t going to die, he went back to the job site. I can’t afford to hold up the crane at the daily costs for renting it.”
“Good thing Deacon was with you.”
“He saved my life.”
I sit on the edge of his bed. “Had you been feeling bad?”
“In hindsight, there were some signs I chalked up to stress.”
“You need to retire, Daddy, and hand the reins over to Deacon.”
“I completely agree.” Mother runs her hand through his thick silver hair. “It’s time. Besides, I’m not fancying the idea of being a widow anytime soon.” She quirks her thin brow and swats his cheek.
“I’m not convinced it’s what Deacon wants to do. If you still lived here, I’d gladly hand my company over to you.”
“Don’t you go making her feel the least bit guilty about leaving Salt Lick,” Mother scolds him.
“I appreciate the confidence you have in me and everything that you’ve taught me, but I’m loving my life in Montana, and I have plans of my own.”
“Oh, really?” He sits taller in the bed. “I’d love to hear and help any way that I can.”
“The only thing you need to do is get better and quit working so hard. I can manage things on my own, and if I run into trouble, I know who to call. Why is it you think Deacon doesn’t want the construction company?”
“He’s mentioned several times to me that he envies you and your cousins getting away, starting over,” Momma says with an exaggerated sigh. “I’m afraid I’ll lose another one of my youngins to the blue skies of Montana.”
“If he goes, I’m going too,” Jace pipes in, swaggering over to me and resting his hands on my shoulders.
Being the baby, Jace has always looked up to our big brother. They’ve remained extraordinarily close. More like thick as thieves.
“You and Daddy could always make the move to Missoula,” I say with a single shrug.
“As much as I’d miss all of you, our home is here and always will be.” She lifts one corner of her mouth.
“Your mother and I would never want our children to give up their dreams for us.” Daddy suddenly looks much older and worn out.
“I think we should leave you alone to get some rest.” I get to my feet and pick up my purse, flinging it over my shoulder. “Jace can drive me to Whiskey River.”
“How long are you staying?” Daddy reaches out, taking my hand.
“At least until you’re home in your own bed.”
“The doctor said he had to stay for at least twenty-four hours. He’ll release him tomorrow, barring any complications.” Mom snuggles in next to him.
“I’m one stubborn old stallion. I’ll be just fine.” He presses his lips to her temple.
I angle toward Jace. “Would it be alright if we made a pit stop on the way home?”
“Where might I be taking you?” He tilts his head as he asks the question.
“To the cemetery,” Momma answers for me without hesitation. “It’s the same place you’ve been this time of year for the last fourteen years.” Her eyes fill with sadness, mimicking mine.
“Beth,” Jace whispers.
I nod and wipe the tears from my face, knowing darn good and well they’ll return the moment I see her name on her headstone.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Mother asks.
“That’s usually my job,” Daddy huffs, trying to get out of bed, but Mom wrangles him back under the sheets.
“Not this time, it’s not,” she snarls.
“It’s okay. I can go by myself.”
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Jace chimes in.
“Seriously. I want to do this alone. You can sit in the car,” I tell my brother. “But thank you for offering. You stay where you are, and I’ll come by later and give Momma a break so she can get a few hours of sleep.” I wag my finger at my father. “Behave. I don’t want you stressing your heart over me.”
“I hate the circumstances, but I’m glad you’re here.” Daddy smiles sweetly.
“Me too.” I lean down, clasping his face in my hands. “I’m in no way, shape, or form ready to say goodbye to you either. Please listen to what the doctors tell you to do.”
“He will. I’ll make sure of it.” Mom gently squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll sit on him if I have to. Better yet, I’ll cut him off from sex. That will do the trick,” she scoffs, and I break out in laughter.
“I love you, Mom,” I say, kissing her cheek. I’ll see you later.” I lay my hand in the crook of Jace’s elbow, and we walk out together, taking the stairs.
“How’ve you really been, Sis?”
“Good. I love working with the horses, and the ranch is running smoothly now that things are under control. I finished Chase’s house before Christmas, and I’m working on Walker’s.”
“How is the old married man?” He chuckles.
“Chase is happier than I’ve ever seen him. He adores Atley and her daughter Everly. He treats her as if she were his own. I think she healed his heart as much as Atley did.” I open the door to his clunker.
“That’s good to hear,” he says, climbing behind the wheel. He takes off toward the cemetery out on the edge of town, where there’s a scenic view of the mountains.
“River and Greer should be having the twins in the next month. She’s been put on bed rest, and River is catering to her every need, and so is Granger. He was disappointed at first that he was getting sisters. Now he’s all about it.”
“Any prospects of a husband for you?” He waggles his eyebrows, taking his eyes off the road for a moment.
“I don’t need nor want a husband. I’m perfectly fine all on my own.”
“You seem content enough.”
I contemplate his words. Content. I am. I get lonely at times and enjoy the company of a cowboy, but I have no hankering for anything permanent. My life is good the way it is and protected. “How about you?” I finally ask.
“Me?” He snorts. “There are way too many women to settle on one.”
“You sound just like Blaise.” I smirk, darting my gaze in his direction and seeing him grin like a shot fox.
He respectfully drives the narrow, paved driveway to the center of the cemetery. “Over there.” I point to a spot where he can park next to the wrought iron gate that encompasses the graveyard.
The property is well-maintained, with a luscious green lawn and flowers displayed throughout the headstones. Carved headstones made of marble, concrete, or granite with hues of black, gray, and white line the lawns. There is still life in some of the older monuments, with faceless statues of praying children and winged angels overlooking the graves. Crooked headstones stand proud, keeping to their duty even though time has worn away the messages they bare.
I walk alone through the freshly mowed grass to the back gate and a plot underneath an old oak tree on the edge of the cemetery. I sink to my knees, feeling the prickle of the cut grass on my shins. I run my hand along the polished smooth headstone, reading it: Our beloved daughter…who was taken far too soon. May angels watch over you.
I still feel the numbness of grief, minus the shock of her being gone. “Fourteen years,” I whisper to the wind. “I still miss you, my friend.” She and I started kindergarten together, and we were inseparable until the grim day she was laid to rest. I’ve come here every year on the anniversary of her death to feel close to her and update her on my life—that hasn’t turned out like she and I planned.
“The last time I was here, I had only been in Montana a few months.” I pause. “Things are going well. I’ve got my eye on a piece of property to purchase to follow through with our dreams of a horse haven and dude ranch. I know it’s taken me a long time to follow through with our dreams. I’m sorry,” I sniff. “The idea of building it without you still stings.”
A cardinal swoops around me, landing on the bench next to the oak tree. It’s staring at me as if it’s listening to my every word. I swallow hard, imagining it’s here to take my message to Beth.
“I promise I’ll follow through with it this time.” The cardinal twists its tiny head as if it’s contemplating whether I’m being truthful or not. “I still haven’t found that hot cowboy we always talked about.” I attempt to laugh, but it comes out as a choke. “I know we had planned on marrying our high school sweethearts and having babies at the same time. Life hasn’t worked out that way.” I trace the engraved year she died on the stone with my fingertips. “My dad had a heart attack today of all days. As if this date couldn’t get any worse for me,” I sob.
The wind picks up and leaves swirl around me as the cardinal finds a spot on a low branch.
“He’ll be okay, according to the doctors.” I sit in silence for a long time, reminiscing about the day I lost her. The day her parents blamed me for her death. I stand. “I’ll come again next year. I love and miss you, my dear friend.” I kiss the tips of my fingers and press them to the cold marble.
2
Knox
“Iwanted to call you one last time before I boarded the plane. Are you sure you’re alright?” I sigh, not wanting to leave yet, but wanting to get back in case Greer goes into labor.
“You’ve stayed longer than the couple of days you had planned, and you’ve doted on me needlessly. The doctor wouldn’t have sent me home a week ago if he didn’t think I was out of the woods.”
Honestly, I stayed because I knew if I’d left, he’d have gotten the idea to go right back to work. Deacon and I had a long conversation about the company, and Dad was right. He’s glad to help out, but he’s looking for a fresh start and wants to create his own business elsewhere. His and Jace’s job will be to convince Daddy to sell. He’s had plenty of offers but turned them all down, wanting one of us to take over.
“Please consider selling the business. You and Momma could travel and enjoy yourselves. A long visit to Montana would be great. We’d all love to have you.”
I can hear him scratching his chin. “I know it’s what your mother wants me to do. She has for a long time. The heart attack is a wake-up call that I’m not going to live forever, and I’d do anything to make your mother happy.”
“Thank goodness you’ve finally come to your senses.” I exhale in relief. “I love you, Daddy. The boarding process has started. Thanks for the upgrade to first class. It’s scary enough to fly in a storm sitting in coach with a seat overlooking the wing of the plane, much less in comfort.”
“I know how much you hate flying in bad weather. Just breathe and close your eyes. Focus on your goals. If you need help once you’ve purchased a place for your horse haven, let me know if I can lend a hand.”
“I appreciate and love you for it, but I’ve got it handled. Just come for a visit. No work involved, purely pleasure.“
“I’d like that. Love you, sweetheart. Text me when you land.”
Flight 187 from Kentucky to Montana looks like nothing but trouble to me. The sky is the darkest I’ve ever seen over Lexington, with thunder popping seconds behind flashes of lightning. My cold, clammy hands are clasped firmly on the handle of my carry-on luggage. The storm is reminiscent of the day Beth and her horse were killed on a curve of a road by a truck driver who skidded uncontrollably on the wet surface, hitting her head-on and barely missing me.
The first-class cabin is comfortable, and I’m relieved when the doors close and no one is sitting next to me. Deep breathing helps my jitters until the plane takes off. My fingers dig deep into the armrest, and I shiver when the plane hits an air pocket, dipping suddenly. A loud gasp leaves my lips.
“Would you like something to drink to calm your nerves?” a man wearing an expensive suit and sitting in the seat opposite me asks. “I could call for the stewardess.” He has his hand moving toward the overhead call button.
“Is it that obvious?” I smile, attempting to play off my fear.
“Up until the moment you gasped, you were holding your breath.”
He was watching me. “You’re very observant.” I unclench my hand, letting it fall into my lap.
“Sorry.” He gives me a perfectly charming grin. “It’s a hazard of my job. I have to read people well.” He unbuckles, sliding into the vacant seat next to me. “My name is Jude.” He extends his hand. “Are you from Kentucky visiting Montana or vice versa?”
He’s a little too friendly for my liking, but his good looks intrigue me. “Both,” I say. “I’m originally from Kentucky. I moved to Missoula over a year ago.”
“Hmm…” he hums. “Sounds familiar. I’m from Lexington and moved my business to Lolo six months ago.”
“Interesting. I’m looking at property in that area to start my own company.”
He chuckles.
“What’s so funny?”
“You don’t look like a businesswoman to me, no offense.”
“What is it I look like to you? Offense taken,” I add, snapping my lips together.
“Your hair is soft and casually styled, not the trendy look of a business owner.” He brushes his knuckles against my hand. “These are the hands of a rancher. I’ve seen them a million times in Lexington.”
“So you think because I’m a rancher, I can’t be a businesswoman?” He’s ruffled my feathers, despite his square, dimpled jaw and handsome good looks. “That would be like me assuming because you’re sporting a suit, you’re not a cowboy.”
“I’m not.” He laughs.
