Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I think it tastes better if you put some dressing in, let it sit for at least thirty minutes, then pour the rest in. But we’ll be okay. I’ll save some dressing to pour on the leftovers, though.”
My stomach took that moment to growl. “It looks yummy.”
“All the plates and bowls are in the cabinet right behind you, above the dishwasher. Can you get us two bowls each?”
“Sure.”
I quickly removed the bowls, then opened the drawer under that cabinet and lucked out, finding the silverware.
“Would you like to sit out back? It’s a beautiful day.”
“Yeah, that sounds lovely,” I said, glancing out the window to see Piper sunning in the grass.
While Liam filled our bowls with what looked like vegetable soup, I served us some pasta salad.
“There are a couple of beers in the fridge, or that left drawer has Cokes and bottled waters. Take your pick, but I’ll take a beer.”
Opening the refrigerator drawer, I stared at the contents. I must have been staring for longer than I thought because Liam appeared beside me.
“Our soup is going to get cold if you contemplate your drink choices much longer. Here,” he said, leaning in, “take a Coke, a beer, and a bottle of water.”
I laughed as I handed him the beer, and he reached for a water. I did as he said and took all three.
“Good girl, Piper,” Liam said as we walked outside to see her guarding the table of food.
“You don’t think she snuck some food, do you?” I asked as I gave her a smile.
When she barked, we both laughed.
“I think you got your answer to that question.”
I slid onto a chair. “I guess so.”
Liam gave Piper a noodle and told her to stop begging. She took the treat and made her way back out into the yard and laid back down in the sun.
“She’s such a good dog.”
He nodded. “Tell me about it. I don’t know how I lucked out with such a chill dog. She’s my sweet girl.”
Smiling, I took a bite of the soup. “This is delicious.”
“Thanks,” he said as he blew on a spoonful of soup. “It’s my mother’s recipe.”
“Does she live here in Montana?”
His eyes instantly filled with sadness. “My parents both passed away almost seven years ago. They were behind a logging truck when its load came undone. My father tried to swerve out of the way, but ended up losing control of the car. Dad died instantly, and my mother passed a few days later.”
I instantly lost my appetite. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry, Liam. I feel terrible for asking.”
He gave me a soft smile. “You didn’t know, Mallory. I try to talk about them often, keep their memory alive and all of that.”
“Are you an only child?”
“No,” he said, his smile fading a bit. I could see a bit of tension when a muscle in his jaw twitched. “I have a younger brother. His name is Chad. We don’t really talk anymore.”
I used my fork to stab some of the noodles, cheese, and pepperoni and asked, “Do you mind if I ask why?”
“Don’t mind at all,” he replied, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Chad and I are only two years apart, but growing up, we were nothing alike. I loved the ranch, and he loved his computer. I loved horses; he loved helping my father tear things apart and put them back together. I loved sports; he enjoyed things like plays, museums, and the opera. We were totally different in every way possible.”
He smiled as he shook his head. “We fought like cats and dogs, and it would drive my mother insane. But, he’s my brother and I love him, always will.”
“So why don’t the two of you speak now?”
He sighed. “When my parents died, my father left me the entire ranch. Chad never showed an interest in the ranch, like I said. Ranching just isn’t his thing. Despite that, he was upset that our father left me the entire ranch. Which I understand, considering it’s sixteen-thousand acres.”
My brows arched. “Wow.”
“They left him a nice house with a few acres of land in Lewistown. It used to belong to my father’s mother, who passed away from cancer about ten years ago. It’s an older historical home right outside of town. He’s settled into his life there, and he seems happy. He just got married pretty recently. Or actually…two years ago, now? Wow, time flies.”
“Did you go to the wedding?”
Grinning, he replied, “I did. His new wife, Krista, invited me. It was a beautiful wedding. I think she was trying to extend an olive branch.”
“Did it work?”
He shook his head. “Chad was pissed when he saw me there. We exchanged a few words but nothing more. I do agree with him, it wasn’t a fair deal that was left to each of us. I got thousands of acres, and he got an old house on some land. I would have been pissed too.”