The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(104)

“Well then,” he chuckled. “I think Zelda an’ I will get along just fine.”



It was a two hour drive to Gordonville from the small airport that we flew into. Going from New York time to Montana was rough. Philip had already fallen asleep in the back seat shortly after we set off, and even I had trouble keeping wake. I leaned against the passenger door. Outside, endless fields of grasses filled the landscape, some early spring flowers already began to peak out. Mountains and trees scattered in the distance, the melting snowy peaks visible in the clear air. It was quiet out here. I had almost forgotten the sound of silence.

Pete filled the emptiness. “When I heard from Rick that you were comin’ back to take over the farm, why, I about jumped out of my seat.”

I sat up.

“Whoa, whoa--wait a minute,” I said.

Philip shifted in the back and I let my voice down.

“Look, I don’t know what my dad told you, but I don’t have any intention of taking over the farm.”

Pete’s smile left, and he shifted uncomfortably.

“Oh, well, I guess I must have misheard--it sounded to me like Rick thought you were comin’ back to help out, an’--”

“Yes--to help. I’m coming back because I heard he was having a hard time, and I know he won’t admit it. I’m not planning anything permanent. I’m going to see what I can do. Honestly,” I folded my arms. “I keep telling dad to come move in with me. He knows he’s just not able to do it all by himself anymore. But he’s too stubborn to listen.”

“Your father’s a proud man,” Pete said. “But this is his home. You can’t just expect him to give it up so easily.”

“He’s worked himself too much ever since mom passed,” I said.

Pete let out a sigh.

“It seems to run in the family.”

“Pete,” I was already getting agitated.

“Sorry, Erin.”

We continued in silence for a moment.

“By the way,” Pete cleared his throat. “I know I’m on shaky ground as it is, but...”

I turned to Pete. “Hmm?”

“You know, Matty Gordon’s still nearby. He’s a real man of the town nowadays. Got a real head on his shoulders. Really taken after his family business. You plannin’ on speaking with him at some point?”

I looked out toward the side of the road once again. Until that moment, I hadn’t really thought much further. My sights were set on taking care of things with my father, settling the business with the farm, convincing him to move back with me and Philip, and then, maybe, I would find enough courage to talk to him. No, I knew I had to talk to him at some point.

“First things first,” I said. “At least let me get settled in. When, and if I speak with Matthew Gordon, it’s going to be a thought-out, civil conversation for mature adults who’ve moved on.”

“You do know that everyone’s already talkin’ about it? I bet he already knows himself when you’re comin’ in. I’d just be ready for the audience, if I were you.”

I sighed and leaned myself on the armrest of the door.

“Perfect. Everyone’s ready for the sequel. Let’s see how Erin McGarity can embarrass herself in front of everyone--again!”



Chapter 2



Driving through downtown Gordonville was like staring at a foggy, old mirror. Everything was just as I had left it, and yet it seemed entirely foreign to me. The main street buildings huddled together, with the rustic charm of an old Western outpost. Antique shops, a corner cafe, a drugstore, and an assortment of fancier specialty shops lined the strip.

In just a few moments, we had already ridden past the heart of Gordonville. The McGarity farm lay almost thirty minutes toward the outskirts of town.

It was a bright day that seemed the first to really feel like spring after a harsh winter. A slight chill still hung in the air. As the small plots of neighborhoods and farm became scarcer, the scenery once again became the familiar roll of yellow green hills, wet with melting slush.

After several moments, I began to spot large cows grazing in the distance, and a tall, meshed, wooden fence trailing far along the roadside.

“Whose land is this? I don’t remember this belonging to anyone before.”

“This here’s all part of the expansion by the Gordon ranch. Apparently, Matty’s had a lot of success since he took over. Made a few deals with some buyers in Texas. Got some big shot investors to oversee everything.”

“So he’s just been buying out the whole county?”

Pete didn’t respond at first.

“Matty’s a good kid,” he said. “And times have been rough for a lot of folk out here. He makes his living--”

“By selling the town out to some corporate money bank?”

Pete sighed, “By givin’ folks a second chance.”

“Right,” I folded my arms and sighed. “A second chance.”



“Philip,” I cooed toward the backseat. “Philip, we’re here.”

Philip peeked out from the blanket draped over him, his bright blue eyes blinking the sleep away. He brought Zelda’s box close to him as he leaned toward the window.

“It’s so big!”