Broken Trails Read online

  Shock parted Stefanie’s lips and she flopped back into Dad’s desk chair. She huddled into herself, staring at the floor. “No more. You can’t sell any more. Nothing else. We won’t have anything left of them, if you do.” Tears eked from her eyes and she sobbed, bending at the waist. Her shoulders shook.

  How could he guarantee that? “I won’t.” They needed to eat.

  He’d never seen her cry after the funeral. Hannah, sure, but not Stefanie.

  Nate crouched beside her, placing his hand on her back. “Stefanie, have you cried since Mom and Dad…” He didn’t want to say died. He didn’t want to have that conversation, but he had to be there for his sister – as mother, father, and brother.

  She sniffed, avoiding his eyes. “I haven’t had a chance to. Hannah has been so upset and I wanted to be strong for her.”

  Nate had been trying to be strong for them all. He spoke softly. “I understand.” Was there another reason though? Was it his business to talk about boy things? “Do you think you’re upset a little bit about Drake, too?”

  Stefanie blinked, smearing her tears with her fingers as her sobs calmed. “What about him?”

  “Well, he’s moved. I thought for sure you might be upset about it.” Confusion quirked Nate’s brow.

  “What do you mean, moved?” Stefanie’s eyes widened and she straightened in the chair, slamming her feet to the floor.

  “He’s gone.” Nate shrugged. Okay, her not knowing took him by surprise.

  “Just gone?” Stefanie looked away from Nate’s face. She stared into the office, not really focused on anything, and then looked back at Nate. “We have bigger problems to worry about than Drake Benson. We need to do something.”

  Nate agreed. But what?

  ~~~

  The sun hung low in the sky and not for the first time, Nate was grateful that summer was right around the corner. Keep the rain away longer and maybe his horrible attempts at crop raising would produce something.

  “I’ll do the dishes, Hannah. Thanks again for dinner.” Nate smiled at his sister. She was becoming quite the cook with access to all of Mom’s cookbooks and handwritten recipes.

  She nodded and turned toward the living room, but paused at a knock on the door. “I’ll get it.”

  No one came out that way unless they were bill collectors. Nate scared the last one off by mentioning a cranky bull and a broken fence. He didn’t move from the counter, waiting to hear who it might be. If it was another vulture, he’d have to sweep in to save his sister. She didn’t need to deal with the ugliness of their situation.

  From the living room, low deep voices filled the space. “Hey, Hannah, is Nate home?”

  Nate grabbed a kitchen towel and wiped his hands as he stepped into the hallway. His cousins, Jareth and Kyle, filled the doorway with black dusters and dark brown Stetsons. “My guys!” In a few steps Nate hugged the two slightly younger men with full arm wraps. “It’s been a while, guys. How’s the family?”

  Kyle and Jareth glanced at each other. Kyle with his dark brown hair, and Jareth, whose auburn hair gave their sister’s a run for her money weren’t often mistaken for kin, let alone brothers. The only feature tying them together were their green eyes. The Darby Emeralds as Nate’s dad used to call them.

  “Not great. We’re low on money at home. Mom’s been sick and Dad…” Jareth shrugged. “Anyway, we’re here ‘cause we’re heading down to Colby. A ranch, Peekaboo Place, down that way hired us and Damon, but Damon can’t get away from school. Apparently, he’s going to summer school so he can graduate.” Jareth rolled his green eyes at the mention of another cousin. “The ranch is paying us huge.”

  “How long is the job?” He might be able to swing it, if it was only the weekend or so. They could use the extra cash. A mental image of the pile of red-stamped envelopes flashed in his mind. He winced.

  “Until October. They give us a place to stay with meals as well as pay. The owner even gives us days off. We’re sending the majority of the money back to Mom and Dad.” Kyle glanced past Nate’s shoulder, his eyes softening. “Hey, Stef, when’d you get all big?”

  Stefanie moved beside Nate, nudging his shoulder with hers. “Kyle, Jareth. Maybe you’re getting smaller.” She shifted her weight and crossed her arms. She eyed the cousins like they might bite but also like she might bite back.

  Jareth laughed, his voice low and booming. “Seriously, though, Nate. Do you want to go?”

  Until October was too long. “I can’t. I have to stay here and take care of Bella Acres.” Oh, but he wanted to go. To make money ranch handing around and sending the cash back. He would do it, if someone besides his teenage sisters were home to take care of the place while he was gone.

  The slight glimmer of hope slid through his rope before he could lasso it. They needed the cash, more than they needed anything else. If Nate cried in front of his cousins, they’d bull whip him out back. And he wouldn’t blame them.

  Stefanie shoved past Nate, lifting her chin. “I’ll go.”

  Jareth glanced between Stefanie and Nate, eyebrows raised. He didn’t speak.

  “No, you won’t. You have school.” Nate tried catching himself. He didn’t want to sound like a controlling brother, but she wasn’t old enough to run off into the wilds of Montana with a bunch of men.

  “I’m done with my finals. You can get me out of the rest of classes and I could send the money back to help.” She faced him fully, her hands on her hips. “We were just talking about needing something like this. Come on, Nate. Don’t hold me back.”

  Kyle stepped forward, hands open in petition. “We could actually use the extra body, Nate. I wouldn’t step in with this and even consider taking her, if we didn’t stand to lose a lot of money. We promised them three hands and I can’t get ahold of the Johnsons. We have to report there tomorrow morning at five sharp.” He lowered his voice, desperation ringing in the deep tones. “Seriously, Nate, she’ll be safe with us. We’re family. We need this chance.” More than anxiety lined his eyes and Nate recognized failing hope.

  He met Stefanie’s gaze and held it, searching her for something, searching inside himself. What would Dad do? Nate couldn’t dwell on that since Dad wasn’t around and things had fallen to Nate’s shoulders.

  “Let me do this.” Stefanie murmured, holding his eyes. She clenched her fingers at her waist.

  Nate wasn’t her father. He didn’t even play one on TV. He was just her brother and he knew his sister needed to fly on her own. “Okay. I’ll clear it with the school.” Nate gave in, but didn’t fight it hard. She would send money to help. Nate had to get a job or something on the side himself, or lose his role as provider for his family. “Go get your stuff. If you need me, you’ll call.”

  Stefanie scoffed, bouncing on her toes in excitement. “Call? You don’t drive.”

  “It’s only a few hours to Colby by horse, Stefanie. I can come get you or come help. You agree or you’re not going.” Nate hardened his jaw. He might not be there, but he could still be available for his sister should she need him.

  She stilled and nodded. “Okay. I’ll call.” After a pause, like she weighed his seriousness for reality, she threw her arms around his shoulders. “Thanks. I really need this.”

  “I know.” Nate patted her back and glared at Jareth and Kyle. “Anything happens to her and I’ll take it out of your hides, understand?”

  His cousins nodded, their own desperation culled.

  Hopefully, sacrificing Stefanie for the summer would do more than just the Rourkes some good.

  Chapter 6

  Emma

  The walk to Bella Acres took longer than Emma planned. She stopped beside the dirt road and sat on a tree stump grown over with grass and moss. At least the clouds stopped raining.

  She wiped at her forehead. She hadn’t planned on even coming, but she’d wanted to see how he was doing without calling. They were supposed to be friends, and friends visited. Plus, she had to get out of the house.

&
nbsp; Six eggs nestled in the small basket she reclaimed when she stood. Hopefully, her mom didn’t notice them missing. They hadn’t been packed yet for selling to the general store. Emma had grabbed them to take to Nate and his sisters. He’d mentioned their chickens weren’t laying because of the rain and she wanted to do something nice for him.

  But strictly as friends.

  She sighed, trying not to go too fast, but she wanted to get there this year.

  Another fifteen minutes passed and Emma’s breathing turned to a slight pant. The Bella Acres mailbox poked over the spring grass, giving her a focus point to walk toward.

  She stopped beside the green box, looking down the long drive to the at-last-in-view two-story craftsman style home. She’d been there often enough when they’d dated. Nate had never pushed her too fast or too far and she’d never told him how much that meant.

  Bending at the waist, Emma dragged in a few more deep breaths. Wow, who would have thought she’d tire so easily?

  “Come on, Emma, let’s go,” she muttered to herself. One foot in front of the other, over the gravel and onto the paved driveway. She followed the simple line between the cement and the grass, focusing on breathing and not passing out.

  In what felt like decades, Emma finally reached the wraparound covered porch and the few steps up to the front door. Exhaustion pulled at her. She hadn’t been out of the hospital long enough for the trek she’d undertaken.

  And conquered like a boss.

  She lifted her free hand in the air and shook the fist like a champion, still puffing at the exertion.

  The front door opened and a younger version of Stefanie poked her head out. “Are you okay?” She watched Emma with concern.

  Emma lowered her fist and blushed. “Yes, sorry. I just walked a long way and I made it.” She fluttered her fingers. “I’m celebrating.” She laughed as her breathing started to normalize.

  The girl grinned and joined Emma down the stairs. “I usually try to pat my own back. It’s something my dad used to say. ‘Go ahead and pat yourself on the back, Hannah.’” She giggled. “So I try.” She lifted a shoulder and scrunched her face. “Why did you walk so long? I’m Hannah, by the way.”

  “Nice to meet you, Hannah. I’m Emma Benson.” She gazed out over the fields leading to the road. “I came to see Nathan, but I’m sure glad I met you first. Can you imagine if he’d walked out and seen me celebrating my victory?” She rolled her eyes and blew air out of her lips in exaggerated relief.

  Hannah didn’t laugh but stared at Emma. “You mean, Benson – like Drake Benson?”

  Emma tilted her head to the side. “Yeah, that’s my brother.”

  Chortling, Hannah turned in a circle. “My sister is going to flip out… Oh, well, when I talk to her again, she’ll freak out.” She stopped spinning and frowned.

  “Stefanie and you are fighting?” Emma pointed at the stairs. “Do you mind, if I sit down. I really did walk far.”

  Hannah shook her head. “No, of course not. Sit.” She folded her hands in front of her waist and watched Emma settle on the second step up. “No, we’re not fighting. She went to Colby to ranch hand for the summer.” Kicking at a crack in the walkway, she scrunched her face. “I don’t get to talk to her all the time like I used to.”

  Oh, no. Tears glistened in Hannah’s eyes and Emma hadn’t gotten over the emotional loss of Drake leaving. While Emma fought the tears in her own eyes, Hannah’s spilled over. Reaching out her arms, Emma pulled Hannah down to sit by her. She stroked the girl’s hair and rocked her side to side. “It’s okay. Drake left, too.” She understood the pain and the loneliness. But where Emma had her parents still, Hannah had no one but Nate and from the looks of things, he wasn’t around much.

  Emma didn’t let Hannah go, just tucked her in closer to her body and rocked with her there. The girl had to be early, early teens and still needed to be comforted. Heck, Emma was early twenties and she needed comforting some times. “Where is Nate?”

  “I’m here.” Nate approached from the corner, coming into view from over the railing of the steps. He searched Hannah’s face and then Emma’s. “Is everything okay?” He wiped at his hands with a dull gray cloth.

  Hannah shot up from sitting with Emma, nodded at her new friend and darted inside.

  Glancing over her shoulder and then back at Nate, Emma lifted her hand. “What was that?”

  “She’s probably afraid I’m going to send her somewhere to earn money.” He sighed and lowered himself to the same step as Emma and leaned against the opposite rail. Close enough to touch but far enough that he wasn’t in her space. “She won’t speak to me and refuses to cook anymore.”

  Emma chewed on her lip. She hadn’t seen him in a few days and she wasn’t sure how to act when he was all rugged and dirty from working. Tips of hair peeked from beneath his hat brim and his rolled up flannel shirt sleeves revealed a dusting of dark hair on his forearms. Faded knees in his jeans went well with his scuffed dusty cowboy boots.

  He leaned forward and tucked the cloth into his back pocket and glanced at Emma. He offered a small smile. “Hi.”

  Emma couldn’t help giggling and she smiled shyly. “Hi.”

  “You came to see me this time. Awesome. Did you drive?” He looked down the drive for her car.

  “I don’t have a car. Psht.” She lifted the small wicker egg basket. “I brought you eggs.”

  “You walked? All that way? Emma, I could’ve come to you. I at least have a horse.” Concern narrowed Nate’s eyes. “I was out in the fields working on the irrigation system, but Hannah could’ve called out to me to come get you. It wouldn’t have been a big deal.”

  “I’m fine. It’s no big deal.” She waved at the drive like she pushed it away.

  “No big deal? You could barely stand the other day from fatigue. I can’t believe you walked all that way.” His eyebrows drew closer together. Hopefully he couldn’t see how his concern for her warmed her insides and made her a little nervous.

  “I wanted to surprise you. Say hi.” Emma shifted her feet. She hadn’t thought about the danger she put herself in by walking that far. If she was being completely honest, she would admit – at least to herself – that she had no business walking the distance that she did. The doctors had only cleared her for half a mile total. She’d easily gone six times that.

  Nate continued in the face of her silence. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to nag you, I just don’t want to find out you didn’t make it home or here or wherever, you know?” He reached out and touched her shoulder. “Friends worry about each other.” The intensity of his blue gaze suggested more concern than just friends would have.

  Emma brushed the niggling thoughts away. Her attraction to Nate wasn’t in question. Like at all. She wanted to be around him all the time. As close to love as she’d come in high school, she knew her limitations and the baggage she would bring to the relationship. Pursuing anything other than friendship wasn’t fair to either of them.

  She couldn’t say, ‘hey, I want to date you, but I come with a huge hospital bill and I’m not able to have children – ever – want to marry me?’ People dated to get married. She wasn’t stupid. A man like Nathan Rourke would want a family one day. All men did.

  All women did.

  She did.

  Clearing her throat, she nodded, forcing herself back to the conversation at hand. “It’s okay. Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t realize how far the distance was between our houses until I was almost here.” She lamely lowered the basket and set the straw-colored wicker between them. “Where’s Stefanie? Hannah misses her.”

  He hung his head to stare at the wooden steps, dropping his hand from her shoulder and leaving a coolness behind. “I know she does. Stefanie opted to go with her cousins for summer work down in Colby. She’s sending money up, but it’s not going to be enough. We have back bills and I… I have skills, you know? I’m certified in blacksmithing and even have the experience because I did it while my dad was alive
. But I can’t get a full time job because of all the work I have to do on this place.”

  Emma frowned. “Yeah, I get that. Mom’s selling everything she can get her hands on and Dad’s trying to find work still. There’s like desperation in the air, you know?”

  “Yeah, I feel it, too.” He crossed his arms and rested them over his knees. “I sold the tractor last fall to pay off some bills, because I thought for sure things would turn around by now. They haven’t and now I have a field to roll over because of the rains and I don’t have a tractor.” He leaned his head back, rolling his shoulders.

  With nothing to say, Emma sat beside Nate, dwelling on their situations with no resolution in sight.

  Nate stood, sighing again. “I hate to do this, but I have to get back to it. There’s not enough daylight as it is.” He motioned toward the barn. “Let me get Missy and Dakota and I’ll give you a ride home.” He smiled, but the gesture was tight, slightly depressed.

  She nodded. “Okay, thanks.” She was glad she came, but next time she needed a better plan instead of showing up unannounced. Nate was busy and Emma should’ve known that.

  As a friend, she’d do better.

  ~~~

  At home, Emma rested in the chair in the front yard. Things were abnormally quiet. The chickens weren’t in the coop and the cow didn’t low from the barn. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she glanced around to make sure there weren’t any animals lurking along the perimeters of the forest.

  Their old pickup pulled into the drive, her parents in the cab.

  After parking, they climbed from the rig, her dad’s face dark with worry. “Where have you been? We came back to check on you and you weren’t here.”

  Her mom rushed around the truck and closed the distance to Emma in seconds. “Oh Heavens, Emma, are you okay? Where did you go? What is going on? Do you need to go back to the doctor?” She fanned her face but studied Emma intently.

  Even though the walk had been long and tiring, Emma had never felt more like an adult or freer. She didn’t have a memory of when she wasn’t watched with expectations that she would pass out any moment or start growing another lump. That morning had been an exception with her mother trying to work and her dad out looking for more leads. Finding herself alone, Emma had struck out on her own.