The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)(17)

“She’s taken the baby up to put him to bed. Cute little thing he is, too. Be nice to have him around the ranch.”

“You could always have your own, you know.” Now that he was settled down and not following the rodeo circuit, there was no reason why Chance couldn’t have a mob of kids running wild around the ranch.

“I have the feeling this is going to make my new bride very clucky. I could see the look in her eyes when she carried him in to put him to sleep. What is it with woman and babies? It’s like a chain reaction just waiting to happen.” He slid a chair out and eased himself down onto it.

“Hip still sore?”

“Yes and no. Bit stiff, and that’s to be expected. Can’t see it ever getting back to how it was. The cold makes it ache something fierce.” Chance rubbed his hand over the joint.

“Maybe you’re overdoing the rancher thing. Let Callie do more or get another hand to help out.”

“She already does more than her fair share. I discussed bringing in more help. She reckons we can deal with it ourselves. So, how about dinner? Want to give me a hand getting it started?”

“Gina said she wanted to do it. Cooking is her thing apparently and she can’t wait to play in this kitchen some more. She was just getting the steaks out of the fridge when we had to have the discussion about what we’re going to do.” He avoided his brother’s gaze, a wave of embarrassment washing over him.

“What happened with Cindy was a fluke, Rory. Don’t go using the lies as an excuse not to commit because you’re scared of something going wrong again.”

Chance was never one to hold back on his punches, but Rory knew that. “I wasn’t using that as an excuse.”

“I think you are.”

“Drop it, brother. This is my life and I’ll make my own decisions. You weren’t there when we grew up so don’t go getting all fatherly on me now. I managed just fine then and I will now too.”

Chance stood up and advanced on Rory. His back ramrod straight, his mouth set, and there was a cold chill in his eyes Rory had never seen before. He stood nose to nose with his brother. “Don’t ever throw that in my face, understand? I did the best I could for all of us and you bloody well know it. If I’d stayed, the old man would be dead by now, more than likely by my hands, and I’d be locked up. You kids would have starved if not for me because he drank every penny he managed to make.”

They butted chests, quick to fire at each other, a trait they’d shared as youngsters. “Bullshit. He supported us, fed us while you were living it up with the good life. Just because he spent most of his time in the bottle didn’t mean we went hungry. You weren’t there, so how could you know?” The anger was quick to build in Rory. Years of tampering down the disappointment of having to be the eldest in the house, and therefore the most responsible one, took its toll and he lashed out, pushing his hand into Chance, knocking him off balance.

Chance fell against the kitchen island, a groan of pain rushing past his lips. “You have no idea.” Footsteps pounded down the stairs and seconds later Callie and Gina hurried into the kitchen.

“What the hell is going on here?” Callie stepped between the two of them, pushing Rory back.

“Big brother here is giving me some of his wisdom. Pity he didn’t hang around long enough to do it when we really needed him. Instead he shot off as soon as he could and became a ‘super rodeo star.’” He pulled a face, and made air quotes. “What a great life you had, Chance. People throwing themselves at you, telling you how wonderful you are. Bet that was nice compared to what we had to deal with. And now you’re trying to tell me how to run my life. Classic Chance, you haven’t changed.”

“You really are a fucking idiot, you know that? I love you and all, Rory but open your eyes.” Callie turned to her husband, reaching out to him. “Are you okay?”

“Let it be. Just leave it, okay?” Chance grabbed her hand, pulling her close.

Gina stood at the door, a terrified stranger caught in the middle of a horrible family argument.

“No, I won’t. Its time he knew the truth too.” Callie kissed him, then turned from her husband and looked at Rory. “Who do you think paid for your living expenses when you were growing up? Your schooling and clothing? It wasn’t your father because we all know how he was managing. It was Chance. He took every fall, every kick to the kidneys, and every roll of applause was for his brothers. Even when he’d had more than he should have to take and wanted to retire, he kept at it so you could have what he thought you all deserved.” She took a breath, fire filling her eyes. “The only way he managed to get out of it was by being almost killed.”

Rory’s stomach dropped. A taste of bile rose in his throat. He glanced over her head at his elder brother. “No, you’re wrong. We survived on Mom’s life insurance. It wasn’t much. It was enough for us to get by on.”

“There wasn’t any life insurance. Never was.” Chance sighed. “Look, I never wanted you guys to feel responsible so I let you think the old man was doing okay. It wasn’t your fault then and it isn’t now. I did what I thought was right at the time and if that meant I wasn’t there for you, well I’m sorry.”

Pain filled Rory’s gut. All the years of wishing his brother was there for him when they were growing up were suddenly wasted. He’d done all he could for his brothers and suffered in the process. “You did that for us?”