Page 125 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
“What?” I swayed on my feet and steadied myself on the car with a hand.
“He’ll be out of my will. I’ll break it all apart and sell it to the neighbors.”
“You hate me that much? You’d take away his future? He loves this ranch. It’s part of his soul. Don’t do this. He’s your son.”
His resolve faltered and the confidence in his eyes waned. “I love my son.”
“Then please, Elliot. Please don’t—”
“I’m back.” Paxon jogged back to us and interrupted my plea.
Without making eye contact with me or Paxon, Elliot stalked away. I watched him go, hoping that something in my short plea had registered.
Paxon gently touched my arm. “Felicity? What happened?”
“Nothing.” My voice was cold and distant. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and slid sunglasses over my eyes so he wouldn’t see them flood. “I just have some decisions to make.”
Like if I was willing to sacrifice my heart so Silas wouldn’t have to give up his dreams. Or if I really was the selfish woman that Elliot proclaimed me to be.
Silas
Shifting my hands on the tractor’s steering wheel, I dug in my pocket for my vibrating phone.
Paxon: Your dad just said something to Felicity. She’s upset.
Me: Shit. Did you hear what he said?
Paxon: No, but it had to be bad. She’s all kinds of fucked up. It’s like an ice wall just went up in front of her face.
Me: Fuck. I’ll handle it.
I shouldn’t be surprised. Dad hadn’t even bothered to show up downtown yesterday when I’d told him that I was proposing to Felicity. Stupid me, thinking maybe my dad could actually support me for once.
Enough was enough. Today, I was ending this feud between us.
I was done taking his shit about the ranch. And I was done letting him harass my future wife.
I swung the tractor’s large wheels around and headed back toward the ranch. By the time I’d parked it back in the shop and started my search for Dad, my muscles were pulsing with fury.
But today I was taking a different approach with Dad. I was taking Felicity’s advice. There would be no shouting or yelling. It was going to be fucking hard, but I wasn’t going to let my temper lead the way.
Stepping inside my parents’ house, I called for Dad.
“Oh, hi, honey,” Mom responded. “I thought I saw you leave in the tractor. Is everything okay? You didn’t have another breakdown, did you?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine.” I took a deep breath and willed myself to stay calm. “Where’s Dad?”
“Right here.” He walked out of his office and stood at Mom’s side. “What’s up?”
“What did you say to Felicity?” I shoved my hands into my jeans pockets so he wouldn’t see my fists.
Dad’s face paled, knowing exactly what I was talking about. “She told you?”
“No, she didn’t, but Paxon did. I’d like you to tell me what you said.” The muscles in my back were taut with rage but I kept my voice steady.
“She’s no good for you,” he said. “She’ll run away again as soon as she realizes ranching isn’t her cup of tea.”
“That’s for me to decide. What did you say to her?”
