Conflicted (Everlasting Love)(35)

“No, Mom, it’s not like that. Dad—”

“Oh, so your dad’s going to pay for your education? For your defection?” Her gaze cut to her husband. “Of course, all his money came from the Triple H, too. Hasn’t it, Jess? All your wealth and fame has come directly from this ranch, even though you’ve never done the one thing I’ve asked of you, the one thing my father asked of you.”

Jesse blanched. “Go up to the house, Rio.”

“But—”

“Go!” he commanded sharply, as he stalked across the stable toward his wife.

Rio took off running without another word, his feet flying over the gravel and grass between the stables and the house. Jesse watched his son go, waited until he had vanished from sight before turning toward Desiree.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” he asked.

“I know exactly who I am. I am your wife, his mother and the owner of this ranch. As such, I deserve some input into how he spends the rest of his life.”

“He isn’t one of your employees.” Jesse bit out the words from between clenched teeth. “You can’t order him around and make him do what you want with the rest of his life.”

“This ranch—”

“Screw the ranch, Desiree. Open your eyes and look at your son. How could you not know this was coming? How could you be so goddamn shocked?”

He grabbed her, shook her. “He’s been bringing home wounded animals since he was five—birds, dogs, cats, even mice, for God’s sake. He’s read book after book on animals and with each wounded stray he’s gotten better at fixing them up. He shadows Paul and Devon whenever they show up here, asking question after question about what they’re doing and why and how they’re doing it. Did you think it was just idle curiosity?”

“I…” She broke off, stared at her husband in bewilderment.

His eyes widened with sudden understanding. “You never even noticed. You’re so wrapped up in this ranch that you don’t even see your own children anymore.”

“That’s not true.” But she had the sinking feeling it was.

“Isn’t it?” He thrust her away. “Did you see his face when you made that reference to the Triple Crown, to the promise I haven’t been able to keep? Have you ever taken the time to look at them, at what your obsession is doing to this family?”

“It’s not an obsession. This ranch—”

“Is a piece of property, Desiree. It’s land and horses. Beautiful land, beautiful horses, yes, but still just property. But Rio—he’s so much more than that.”

Fury consumed her. “I don’t need you to tell me about my son!”

“Our son. Rio’s my son, too. And yeah, I do think you need someone to tell you about him, about all of our children because sometimes I wonder if they even register on your radar anymore.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say. I love my children and I want what’s best for them.”

He shook his head. “Who are you trying to kid, Desiree? You want what you’ve always wanted—you want what’s best for this ranch. If our children’s needs and desires happen to coincide, then everything’s fine. But if they want something different, if they need something away from this albatross, then all hell breaks loose.”

“I’ve always put my children first.”

He laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “So why are we even having this discussion? If you always put your children first, why is it even an issue that Rio wants to be a veterinarian?”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s different.”

“Why? Because you want it to be?”

“He’s throwing away his whole life!”

He stared at her incredulously. “Training to be a vet is ruining his life? Doing what he loves, what he’s always loved? He’s going to college, Desiree, not running drugs or knocking over convenience stores.”

“You don’t understand!”

“You’re damn right I don’t. What’s there to understand? Rio wants to do something other than run this ranch—so what? You’ve got two other kids who love the ranch, not to mention the fact that you’re not close to handing over the reins, for God’s sake. A lot can happen in twenty-five years. Rio can, and probably will, change his mind about the ranch. Dakota or Willow may really want to take over, or the whole operation may end up bankrupt. You never know, so why are we even arguing about this right now?”

“I had plans—”

“And you’re the only one? I have plans, Rio has plans, everyone has plans. Plans that have nothing to do with this ranch or the stupid Triple Crown.” He shook his head. “What’s happened to you?”

“Nothing.”

He continued as if he hadn’t heard her protest. “I look at you and I see the young girl I fell in love with, the girl with the intense eyes that could see all the way to my soul. The girl who could see every part of me with just a look.”

He reached a restless hand out to pat Will-o-the-Wisp, who was nickering softly, nervously. “God, you were amazing. So full of fire and life that I couldn’t help wanting you, needing you. You were wild and reckless and impulsive—everything that I wasn’t. Being with you was like having a comet by the tail—it was impossible to do anything but hang on and hope to survive the ride.”