Clay
Everyone was ready to go head off and find some dinner. The tour had gone well, and we had a few couples that wanted to add some of the more personalized tours to their agenda. I sent them in to see Jillian to get put on the schedule. I was pretty sure I saw my brother driving away from here as I pulled up.
“Hey Jilly, was that Hank that I just saw leaving?” I asked my wife. She nodded at me as she finished scheduling the couple talking to her. I went behind the desk to check our schedule for the rest of the afternoon. Our last tour started at two, but it wasn’t as long as the first one. I leaned against the wall and waited for the tourists to leave.
Jillian waved at the couple and turned to me. She was so beautiful with her long dark hair, dark eyes and those long legs. I missed her so much.
“I called and scheduled the paternity tests for eight tomorrow morning. I want this put to rest so that you know without a doubt that I never cheated on you.” I said as I walked out to greet the next round of tourists. I was still really hurt and angry that she immediately took Connie’s side and didn’t even consider that she was lying or that it was a case of mistaken identity. That was going to take some groveling on her part for me to forgive. I would eventually though because I still loved her and want her back more than anything else.
The tour went by quickly and I made my way back to the ranch to Hank’s place. I wanted to know why he had been there. He knew I would be out running tours. I walked into the kitchen and saw Sadie doing her homework. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.
“Hey Sadie girl, how’s school?” I asked as I ruffled her curly hair. She laughed and shook her head.
“It’s okay Uncle Clay. How’s Aunt Jillian?” Sadie asked me. She loved Jillian and was very confused as to why I was staying with them right now.
“She seems fine, where’s your Papa?” I asked her, looking for Hank.
“I’m right here.” Hank walked into the kitchen and grabbed some burgers out of the fridge. “I’m going to grill burgers for dinner. How about you throw us a salad together and put some fries in the oven.”
“Sure, I can do that.” I decided to wait until I got the fries in the oven to follow him outside. He was closing the lid on the grill as I walked up and handed him a beer.
“Thanks. So, I offered Connie a job today.” Hank said as he tipped his beer and waited for me to comment. “Before you say anything, I know that her kid isn’t yours. I’m pretty sure he is Blake’s, but that boy is never going to settle down and she needs help.”
“Did she take it?” I asked, thinking about the implications of this turn of events.
“She is going to think about it and Jillian can bring her by if she wants to discuss it further.” He said as he flipped the burgers. I popped my head inside to tell Sadie to check on the fries. “Of course this means you need to make up with your wife.”
“I never wanted to separate to begin with. We are doing the tests tomorrow. I want this done.” I told him as I sat at the table and picked my beer back up.
“You know it will take a couple of days to get the results back on the test.” Hank said, looking at me. “You should make her grovel a little for believing that you could do that.”
“Yeah, I probably will for a few days. I just can’t wrap my head around why she would still be so insecure.” I finished my beer and tossed the can in the trash. “We were trying to have a baby ourselves.”
“Well maybe you can try again soon. It’s probably just hormones.” Hank said as he pulled the burgers off the grill. Sadie came outside with some plates and cups. I went to get salad and fries. We liked to eat on the porch when the weather was mild. I saw the Rawlings twins putting up their horses and heading to their house.
“So, things are going good here?” I tried to change the subject. Hank put his burger down and looked around the property. I knew he missed Miranda something awful.
“Things are going great; beef prices are up, and we have some new horses coming in for Ford to train. Adding racing horses has turned out to be a lucrative investment and it’s been paying off. I just need to get through physical therapy so that I can get back to work.” Hank said as Sadie smiled at him. “She made me realize I was being selfish and stupid refusing to take the help I’ve been offered.”
“Good girl, someone needed to give your papa a swift kick in the pants.” I winked at my niece, and she giggled. Hank flipped me off but was smiling so I would take that.
Sadie hopped up and cleared the table then asked permission to go study in the stables. Hank nodded and we watched her walk over with her books under arms. Hank sighed and shook his head.
“She is just like her mama. She would rather be with the horses than people.” Hank said with a sad smile. “I really miss her Clay. God, I miss Miranda, but I know that she is gone and I’m still here, so I need to move on. For my sake as well as Sadie’s.”
“It’s good to hear you say that, Hank. We all loved Miranda, but she would want you to be happy.” I said as I finished my beer. “I’m going to go watch some tv for a bit before bed.”
I headed back to the living room and flipped on the news. The town was gearing up for a bike rally soon which would mean our tours would be in demand the second part of the week. We were booked solid for the next month, business was great.