Page 26 of Hard to Hold
“My family’s got about two hundred acres out on the edge of town.”
“Two hundred?” Her eyes were wide when she looked over at me.
“Yeah. We lease about half of it out for cattle. Another portion is used for hay. The rest we live on.”
“And play on?”
Was she teasing me?
Smiling, I nodded. “And play on.”
“My aunt and uncle had some land.” She didn’t look at me as she spoke. “I lived with them for a brief amount of time. They didn’t have a lot, only eight acres, but it was wooded and I spent some time wandering.”
I could’ve sat right there in my truck all damn day if she would simply talk about herself more. I was still amazed that she’d agreed to come with me. And I had more than one reason for inviting her. Sure, I wanted to spend some time with her, get to know her. Not only because I was curious about what she was running from, either. I'd come to like the woman. A lot. But I figured if she wanted me to know about her past, she’d tell me. In the meantime, I could be her friend, teach her how to defend herself if it was necessary.
“In case you couldn’t tell, I’m close to my family,” I told her. “The Caines have lived on that land for generations. My grandparents’ house has sat empty since they passed, but Lynx usually takes care of it. I’m still out there, though. In my own house. I built it out on the northeast corner a few years ago. It keeps me out of sight of everyone. Lynx’s dad’s got a place, too, but he’s a shut-in now. Never leaves.”
“And your dad? Does he live out there?”
I shook my head. “Nah. After my mother died two years ago, he moved into the apartment above the store. He said he didn’t need much space, was tired of havin’ to deal with upkeep around his house.”
“I’m sorry about your mom.” Amy continued to stare out the window.
“Thanks.”
“Did he sell his house?”
“Nope. Lynx decided to move in there. He’d been rentin’ a house in town when he was with his … ex-wife. He hauled ass back as fast as he could.”
“Do you have horses?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Not enough time to take care of ’em. Cooter had some at one point. Ended up sellin’ ’em about six years ago. Couldn’t handle all the work on his own.”
When Amy didn’t shoot off another question, I thought of the million I had spinning around in my head, but I held them all back. If she wanted to ask me about my family, I was more than willing to share the details. I loved my family. Didn’t matter how fucking crazy they were. And I hoped one day she’d feel comfortable enough to share a bit of herself with me.
When we reached the Circle C Ranch, I pulled up to the gate and hit the button in my truck that would open it electronically.
“It’s solar-powered,” Amy said softly. “That seems to be a thing now.”
I didn’t respond, figuring it didn’t require me to.
Assuming Rhys wouldn’t be far behind me, I left the gate open as I headed down the long dirt road that forked off to my house. The other direction headed out to my uncle’s place.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I opted not to stop by my house. I had the guns I needed with me, enough to help her get started, anyway. However, I did have to pass by the place.
“Is that your house?” Amy leaned forward and stared out her window as we passed.
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” Her head jerked around, her eyes stopping on me. “It’s beautiful, Wolfe.”
“Thanks.”
“You said you built it?”
I was a little surprised that she’d caught that part. “Yeah.”
“With your own two hands?”
