Page 81 of Broken
“With the DOJ case proving he did everything they said, it’s over. A fine to Bridger Corp and that’s it. Pretty hard to put a dead man in jail,” Austin says.
Yeah, it’s all over. The DOJ found our father guilty, but it didn’t go any further than a fine. Whatever. We all left the fucker behind in our minds and hearts.
I take three lowball glasses out of the cabinet and pour one finger, no more, of the scotch into each.
“How do you think the girls are doing?” Miles looks over his shoulder as if he can see them. Which he can’t, since they’re not here. He’s totally whipped. I can’t mess with him about it because I am too. All three of us are.
“They’re fine,” I say. “I just saw Avery and her mom. They said they had a great time at breakfast with Carly, Sadie, and their mothers. It’s amazing to me how well they all get along.”
“Damned good thing.” Miles takes the glass I hand him. “Since they’re all going to be living under one roof. At least this house is a ranch-style mansion. But who gets the master suite?”
“Uh…who do you think?” I hand Austin his scotch.
He swirls the amber liquid in the glass. “I don’t rightfully care if Chance gets it. Every bedroom in this house has a private bath. In a way, they’re all master suites. Besides, once this year is up, I’m going to build a house for Carly and me over on the eastern side of the ranch, where she can be closer to the animals.”
“I suppose I can’t complain if you take the master,” Miles says. “After all, you’re the one who had to live with our sire. He screwed us all over, for sure, but you got the worst of it, being separated from your woman for so long, and missing out on your son’s first fourteen years.”
I take a drink of the smooth liquor, let its smokiness coat my throat. “I’ll never forgive him for that. Damn.” I shake my head, pushing down the anger and ensuring all I think about is what I have now. “Part of me still can’t believe it. I have a son. A fucking son!”
“Grady’s a good kid.” Austin raises his glass. “And here’s to Carly and me giving him a cousin soon.”
“Bet I knock Sadie up before you knock up Carly.” Miles clinks his glass to Austin’s.
“You’re on—” But then Austin glances at me. “Shit, Chance. I wasn’t thinking. Today’s supposed to be happy. We’re getting married.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry too, bro.” From Miles.
“Fuck it.” I take another drink. “Todayisa happy day. So Avery and I won’t have more babies. I have the woman I love—who I’ve always loved—and a son who’s my spitting image. Besides, there will still be babies around here. I’ll be the doting uncle to all your rugrats.” Someone’s going to have to teach them not to be such big pussies.”
“Yeah, can you believe we’re going to stay here? I never imagined I’d ditch New York for a life in Montana.” Miles shakes his head, stunned. He and Sadie agreed he’d settle here. Her job is local and his can be done from anywhere. And the big shop he’s been putting together will be the perfect place for his custom work.
As for Austin, there was no decision really for him to go back to Seattle. Carly wasn’t going to leave her hometown, not after what happened to her. And Austin’s mom will be out of rehab soon and settle here as well. There’s enough acreage to build houses for everyone.
I never wanted my long-lost brothers to show up, and now I don’t want them to leave.
“Besides,” I continue, “who better than their uncle to teach them not to be such big pussies?”
Miles glares at me with a glint of humor in his eyes. “Those are fighting words, little brother.”
We all erupt in laughter and polish off our drinks.
I check my watch. “Seems we have somewhere to be, guys.”
That’s to see my bride. Make her mine legally. Get her in our bed. Just because we can’t make any babies sure as hell doesn’t mean we can’t practice.
AVERY
Mom,Darla, and Brenda—Carly’s and Sadie’s mothers, respectively—took over the décor for the vast yard outside the ranch house, and now it’s a gorgeous western fairy land with roses and lilies everywhere. Carly, Sadie, and I all wanted a small wedding, so there won’t be many guests, but that didn’t stop our mothers from going overboard, especially after Chance gave them a blank check.
Somehow, his attorney, Mr. Shankle, was able to secure the release of a bit of the inheritance so we could have a beautiful wedding.
My father has never been in the picture, and Sadie’s father is in prison after trying to kill her, so Brenda and Mom will be walking us down the makeshift aisle. Carly’s father, Rick Vance, will do the honors for her. Miles and Austin are acting as each other’s best men, while Chance—God love him—asked Grady to stand up for him. We women all asked our mothers to stand for us.
Mom fusses with the wreath of baby’s breath I’m wearing on my head. “It’s just not sitting quite right, Avery.”
“It doesn’t matter, Mom. I’d be just as happy’ if I were marrying Chance in a burlap sack.”
I chose a light peach sheath for today, with spaghetti straps and some unobtrusive beading on the bodice. Sadie and Carly both chose to wear ivory, but with my blond hair and fair skin, white hues wash me out. Sadie’s dress has a plunging neckline and flowing skirt that accentuates her curves, and Carly chose a sequined high-neck and bare shouldered number that works well for her petite figure.
