Still Waters by Jayne Rylon & Mari Carr

Author:Jayne Rylon & Mari Carr [Rylon, Jayne & Carr, Mari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Happy Endings Publishing
Published: 2018-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

9

“Dad, can I talk to you about something?” Bryant thought back to Jake’s advice as he hovered on the threshold to his father’s office, where Sam managed the ranch and its financials.

He was ready to make a significant contribution to Compass Ranch. He just needed his father to believe he was capable of it. To trust him and take a chance. Then be able to deliver on the promises he made to Jake, his dad, the thesis board, and himself.

“Hey, Bryant.” Sam waved him inside and toward a chair. “Of course. Sorry I haven’t spent more time catching up. This past week… It’s been rough.”

Bryant had heard some rumors. About his mother, father, Jake, and the special relationship they’d had, especially when she was—hell, about the age he was now. Things he didn’t honestly understand or want to know all the details about. Based on the shred of evidence Jake had given him in their final phone conversation, the gossip likely held some truth. His parents seemed to be mourning Jake harder than even the Compass Boys, who’d always thought of him as their surrogate grandfather, seeing as JD had passed away before they were born.

“I can come back some other time.” He shifted from one boot to another. It felt odd to be wearing them again. He’d gotten used to the dress shoes he’d donned in his lab. Not that different from his father, he supposed, who’d gone to New York City for a time to work as some kind of financial guru before he’d returned to Compass Ranch when JD had gotten cancer.

In that way, they were a lot alike. Neither had the desire to work the land the way Uncle Silas or Uncle Seth did. That didn’t mean his father wasn’t crucial to the ranch’s success. It also meant Bryant had some chance to make an equal impact in his own way…if he stood up for himself now and asked for what he needed in order to prove his worth.

“Actually, no. Dad, I take it back.” Bryant tucked his hands in his pockets. He rocked on his heels yet held his ground. “I need to talk to you now.”

“It must be serious.” His dad cocked his head sideways, sort of like a confused dog. “I’ve never seen you quite like this.”

Bryant nodded.

Sam smiled. “I like it.”

“You might not when you hear what I’m thinking.” Bryant stepped closer and leaned his hip against his father’s desk. “It’s like this: I have to do a final project. Something to give my thesis some merit. I have to implement a practical application that demonstrates the viability of my design developments.”

“Anything you need for school, you know we’re behind you.” Sam smiled. “We’re proud of you, Dr. Compton.”

Bryant wished people would stop calling him that until it was official. It felt like they might jinx it or something. Besides, he hadn’t earned the honor quite yet.

“If this goes right, I’ll deserve that.” He didn’t want to hide behind his degree, though. This was about more than an assignment.

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