Cowboy's Redemption: A Big Sky Short Story by Alexx Andria & Flirt Club

Author:Alexx Andria & Flirt Club [Andria, Alexx]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alexx Andria
Published: 2019-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

It was a few days later, while making fresh lemonade, Dash was working the ranch and Pops was feeling chatty that I broached the subject of why they’d had a falling out.

I knew there was a chance that Pops wouldn’t remember but I needed to unravel a little bit of the mystery surrounding Dash.

I poured some lemonade over ice and handed it to Pops with a smile. “How are you feeling today, Pops?” I asked as he levered himself into one of the solid oak chairs at the table. He was feeling pretty fancy today with his plaid western shirt and the pearl snap buttons but I had no idea why he’d gone to so much trouble.

“Today’s my anniversary,” he announced, shocking me. “My Clara Jean married me on this day, sixty years ago. She always liked me to be fresh and presentable on our special day.”

Oh Lord, I was going to cry. My nose tingled as I fought tears. “That’s just the sweetest thing ever, Pops,” I said, meaning it. Even though his beloved wife had passed ten years ago, he was still honoring her memory. “They don’t make them like they used to,” I said, reaching over to squeeze his gnarled hand. “You’re the last of the great gentlemen.”

“Not so. Got one working the cattle out there,” Pops said, gesturing outside. “Dash has a good heart. Good solid boy.”

I nodded, recognizing this was my chance to dig a little. “Pops, why did you and Dash have a falling out? Why did it take so long for him to come home?”

Pops pursed his lips, thinking. His gaze clouded with remembered sorrow and I almost wished I’d remained quiet but something had happened between these two great men and I needed to know.

“Dash wasn’t sure ranching life was for him but we raised him to take over the ranch when his fool daddy got himself killed on the rodeo circuit. Fancied himself a bull rider but couldn’t hardly sit a bull past his prime. Clara Jean made me swear that we’d never lose another like that so I did everything I could to get Dash to stay here.” He drew a shaky breath, pausing to sip the lemonade. “You see, Dash, he was always idolizing his daddy’s memory, which was fine to a point. But then he got it into his head that he wanted to rodeo, too. It would’ve broken my Clara Jean’s heart if I’d let him go off and do something so dangerous. I had to do something to put him off and change his course.”

“What did you do?”

Pops’ mouth turned down with sadness. “I broke our bond with harsh words and terrible anger.” He drew a deep, shuddering breath. “You know, we were both hotheaded fools back then. I said some things I never should’ve and then Dash said his fair share. In the end, my Clara Jean’s heart was still broke because when Dash left, he didn’t come back until it was too late.”

“What do you mean?”

“Clara Jean got cancer.

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