“Last week Holly and I were here helping her
get dinner ready. It was as if she was living in the Dark Ages. Did you know
that she was mixing things with a nineteen thirties hand mixer? Anyway, we saw
that she was in desperate need of an overhaul. So we took her to town with us
and did some window shopping with her. It was a blast.” Mason kissed her on the
nose and told her how much he loved her. “I know, and I’m that awesome.”
He was tickling her when Aunt Georgie came
into the room. She had been crying again, something that Mason only just
realized he’d not seen her do much of. Instead of leaving her to Emma as she
asked him to do, he called for the family and waited for them to come in.
“We’ve been horrible nephews.” When Aunt
Georgie started to protest, he stopped her. “We have. We should have seen what
you had to work with and done more to help you out. You’ve taken such good care
of us and now…now, thanks to Emma and Holly, you’re going to be working less
hard and having more time for the grandchildren, because let’s face it, a
grandmother is just what you’re going to be to our kids.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Aunt Georgie
hugged them all and held onto Holly and Emma while she looked at all of them. “I
will say this. If one of you comes into my house now and doesn’t wipe your feet,
or tries to put your feet up on the furniture or anything else to ruin my new
things, I’m going to box your ears.”
“How did you know to be upset when the truck
came into the yard?” Mason had wondered that too, and was glad that Logan had
asked. It was like she knew what was in the big thing. “You were really ticked
off and I, for one, was really glad that I had nothing to do with it when you
stood there looking like the wrath of the devil.”
“I got a call. From the shipping company. And
I asked him what was in the load, thinking that it would either go to the barn
or Jace and Holly’s house. When he told me it was living room furniture and
that it was for Georgina Douglas, I just knew what it was.” She looked at Emma
and Holly. “I never dreamed you two would have outwitted the boys. But now that
I think on it, I should have known it was you from the start.”
Dinner that night was a strange affair. There
was Chinese food and pizza, tacos and steak, and when Palmer came with donuts
and pie and a gift for the “new” house, they weren’t surprised when Landon and
Katie showed up with ice cream and a gift as well. They were a family, blended
and bonded. After dinner, Landon asked to speak to Mason.
“I got a call from the jail this morning.” Landon
had told him yesterday that while he knew his son was in prison, the term “jail”
was easier for him and Katie to deal with. “They said that Dirk wants to see
me. He wants his mom too, but she told me she’s just not ready to go and see
him just yet. Not that she hates him, but…well, she’s hurting.”
So was Landon. He’d aged over the last
several days, and Mason would bet that he wasn’t sleeping well either. The man
was in a great deal of pain, and there was little to nothing anyone could do
about it.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Landon
looked so relieved that he had to smile. “You can ask me anything you like,
Landon. Anything. I’ve told you that before. Just tell me when you want to go
and I’ll be there. Just give me enough time to make sure that there is help for
the milkers.”
“I was thinking in the morning. Can you do
that?” Mason nodded, realigning his day mentally to help the man out. “I just
want to get it over with. Emma, she wanted to go too, but well, I just want to
do this myself. I know that you’re going, but you’re there to help me pick up
the pieces should it go as badly as I think it will.”
“He’s not where he can hurt anyone anymore.
You know that.” Landon nodded and looked out over the field. “I wanted to talk
to you anyway. Emma wants me to convert her to a cougar. She wants me to do it
soon, before we have any children.”
“That’s my girl. Will she be able to…? I don’t
know how all this works, son. Tell me what you’re going to do.” Mason only gave
him the highlights. Not the details because, frankly, they scared him a little
too much to dwell on. “She’ll be fine then?”
“I believe so. It’s not a long process to
start, but she might be down for a few days. Just until her body adjusts. Rest
is what she’ll have, and I won’t leave her during that time.”
“Of course you won’t. I’d expect no less of
you. I’ll see to the ranch while you’re held up with her. And so you know, me
and my Katie, we moved back home. Next month she and I are going to go on an
extended vacation, our first in nearly forty years.”
Landon told him all the spots they were going
to go. France, Scotland, Germany. They were even planning to go to some of the
islands….a cruise was going to start them off. Then they’d end it on a train
coming back across the United States, stopping wherever the train did. He
looked excited and ready to go now.
They set up to meet at his house at six in
the morning. Mason had already talked to Jace and Logan, and they were going to
cover for him for the early milking. The hands on his ranch, the McBride ranch,
were already moving to care for the moving of the steer to help out the Double
Deuce for breeding purposes. The day was set and all he had to do was tell Emma
what he was going to do. He hoped that she’d not want to go in a way, but
wanted her there in the event that things went badly. He went to find her after
talking to Landon.
The men of the house were loading dishes in
the new dishwasher as he entered the kitchen. The women had been retired to the
living room, so he knew that he’d have a few minutes to let them all know what
was going to happen in the morning, including the visit with Dirk.
“You think he’ll say something stupid?” Mason
just looked at Darin. “Yeah, stupid question. When has he not said something stupid?
Christ, the things he’s done to his own family boggles the mind.”
“No kidding.” Jace handed Mason a dish towel
as he continued. “I’ll take care of the day for you if you promise to take
Landon for a few beers afterwards. He’s going to need it, and we won’t worry
about him driving home after if you’re driving.”
Mason helped finish up the kitchen with them
and Palmer, and Jace went to the office to work on some upcoming issues that
were about to come up with the new mill. Gerard had already agreed to run it so
long as he got to hire who he wanted to help out. Neither, so far as Mason knew,
had a problem with that.
By midnight, they were home. It was their
first night in the house alone since they’d moved in, and Mason was excited. Apparently
so was Emma. She met him at the bedroom door naked and smelling like pure sex. Mason
let his cat take him so he could have some fun with her too.
Dirk sat in his room and watched the clock
roll around to the hour. He’d been told he had visitors, but he couldn’t see
them until ten o’clock. As soon as he was out of here, he was going to sue this
place and then burn it to the ground. The nerve of these people thinking that
he should have to follow rules like the rest of them did. And he was clearly
not like the rest of the people that inhabited this place.
At ten he stood up, no small feat considering
that he had chains on his ankles and wrists; another thing he was going to have
his dad take care of was his living conditions. If he had to stay here, he
should be treated the way that his station demanded. This…this treating him
like an animal wasn’t a McBride way to be treated.
He was led to a room that held a single table
and three chairs. Dirk was shoved into the only one on his side of the table
and told to put his hands on top. He knew better than to argue with this man. He’d
hit him yesterday when he’d told him no. Putting his hands up, the chains were
put in the large ring in the middle of the table, and then his legs were
shackled to the loops on the floor.
“You do know that this is my father coming
and he’s going to set me free.” The man, Bull his nametag said, just ignored
him as he stood near the table. “You’re all going to be out of work when he
sees what you’ve done to me.”
The door behind him opened and Dirk didn’t
even bother turning. He knew who it was and wasn’t all that thrilled to see
him. But he wanted out of here, and if his dad was the only way to get out,
then so be it. But when Mason sat down with his dad, Dirk tried to go after
him. A big hand on his shoulder held him down along with the chains.
“I do not want to see that piece of shit.” Mason
only smiled and his dad paled. “Dad, this is between the two of us. And since
Mason is the reason I’m in here, I’d rather you just send him back to the ranch
to work.”
“He’s my son-in-law, Dirk, and whatever you
have to say to me, you can say to him.” Dirk snarled. He was sick to death of
being told no. “What did you want?”
“What do I want? Can’t you see where the fuck
I’m at? I want you to pay these people off and get me the fuck out of here.
These people are crazy, and I’m not going to let you put me away as if you wish
to forget me.” He leaned back in the chair and tried to organize his thoughts.
There were so many in his head lately that he hurt from it. “They beat me. And
I have to be treated like an animal. This is not right for a McBride, a man
like me, to be treated. Do whatever it takes for me to come home, and I’ll
pretend that you didn’t have me put away.”
“I had not a thing to do with you being put
in here. You did that all on your own when you killed those people. If you let
these people help you, perhaps you can lead a productive life here and do something
with yourself.”
“I’m not staying here.” His dad looked at
Mason. “Did he put you up to this? I’m betting he did. I’m Dirk McBride, doesn’t
that mean a damned thing to any of you? Christ, this is the stupidest thing.
And let me tell you, you have done some really stupid things, but this is by
far the worst. Let me the fuck out of here. I don’t care how much of my money
you have to use, just do it.”
“You really do expect him to just do this for
you, don’t you?” Dirk nodded, not really wanting to talk to Mason, but if it
got his dad to get moving, then so be it. “You just expect that because you
want something that it should be yours at whatever harm it would cause someone
else.”
“Of course I should have what I want. I don’t
see why that should be a problem to get it either. The money is right there. It’s
not like he’s going to live long enough to use it. Christ, didn’t you know that
cancer is eating him alive? And when he goes, it’ll all be mine anyway. Just
get with the program and get me out of here.” Mason shook his head. “What is it
with you? Don’t you know who I am? What kind of influence my money will have
over everyone, including you? You’re nothing to me.”
“You got that right. I’m not a thing to you.
And as for your dad, he doesn’t have cancer any longer. The doctor thinks that
he’ll live another thirty or forty years the way his health is. I don’t think
you’re going to make it that long, and you’re not getting a dime of his money.”
Dirk jerked on the chains and screamed. He
was fucking sick of this.
“Dad, I’m not going to tell you again to Get.
Me. The. Fuck. Out. Of. Here.” When his dad stood up, Dirk looked at Mason. “See
what I am to him? His son, and he’ll do whatever I tell him, because I’m Dirk
McBride.”
His dad went to the door, and Dirk was
already making plans to go to the mall. There were so many things he’d need
now. Shirts and sweaters, pants, as well as all new underthings. This place had
taken away all his silk and left him with only cotton. When his dad told him
good-bye, Dirk frowned.
“I’m not coming back here. And I’m going to
leave a message at the desk for you not to be able to call me again. I don’t…I
never raised you to be like this, and I won’t have you hurting me or my family
again.”
Dirk started to speak but looked at Mason when
he laughed.
“You’re doing this. I won’t have it. You’re
nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing. And when I get out of here, and I will, you’re
going to pay for what you’re doing to me. I’m Dirk McBride. No one treats me
this way. No one.” Dirk watched them both go out the door. “Dad, get back here.
I want you to get me out of here. I’m not going to let you treat me this way
and get away with it. Get me out of here now!”
Bull helped him to stand, and Dirk decided
that he’d had enough. Jerking from him, he tried to get to the door and out
when his head was slammed against the wall. Dirk fell hard and knew that he was
going to need medical attention as soon as he got out of here. Standing again,
his feet got tangled in the chains and he pitched forward.
~~~
Landon wasn’t sure what he should be feeling.
He was ashamed to admit that he was somewhat relieved that it was over. But he
had a guilt that just wouldn’t let go, and he wasn’t sure it was because of
what had happened or the fact that he was just glad.
Just as they were leaving, two guards had
been standing at the entrance of the place and had asked them to come back
inside. Mason had turned his truck around and had parked in the place where
they’d directed them. Getting out, they were asked to please go inside but not
to go to the desk. Someone would come and get them.
Landon had wanted to ask, desperately wanted
to know if his son had convinced someone to let him go and they were going to
have to take him back. He was terrified of what he might do if they knew that
he didn’t want him. Not in his home and certainly not in his life. But when a
police cruiser pulled up in front of the building, Landon staggered.
“I got you.” Mason had helped him to a seat.
Landon’s knees had been so wobbly that he felt had he not held him, he would
have most assuredly landed on his ass. As it was, he was still shaky and his
head was pounding.
They were still sitting there an hour later
when the administrator and two officers came to get them. Mason helped him up,
but he was now able to stand on his own. Landon was ready to beg them to keep
Dirk when they were escorted to an office.
“There’s been an accident.” Again he
staggered, but there had been a chair behind him this time as he fell back. “I’m
sorry. We’ve been going over the video several times, and we don’t know how it
happened.”
“Perhaps if you just tell us what you’re
talking about, we’ll be able to keep up.” The woman, Delia Angle, nodded and
asked Mason to have a seat. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather stand. And
since I know that none of you are human, I’d like to tell you that my cat is
getting really pissy. So if you don’t mind, just fucking get on with it. Has
Dirk convinced you to let him go?”
“No. I’m so sorry to tell you like this, but
he’s dead.” Landon sat there and had tried twice to ask her if she was joking,
or at least ask her how it had happened. But he had been speechless. And now
they were headed home.
“I’m not sure what to ask you. Did you…? I’m
not sure.” Mason said he understood and was there for him. “He’s gone. I
mean…did they tell us what happened?”
“Yes. He was trying to break free of the
guard when he hit the wall pretty hard. His face was bloodied and bruised
pretty badly. When he stood up again, the guard, his name is Bull, reached for
him to bring him back to the table when Dirk tried to run again. This time his
legs were tangled up in the restraints and he fell forward. Bull told us that
he hit his temple on the edge of the table and was dead even before he hit the
floor.”
“He didn’t suffer then?” Mason told him it
didn’t look like it. “They showed us the tape. I remember that now. It was…he
was mad to get away from the guard and I saw that he…he’s dead, Mason. I know
he was a bad person, but he was my son.”
“I’m so sorry, Landon. I don’t know what it
would be like to lose someone like this.” Landon was pretty sure that Mason
knew just how it felt but said nothing. The boy had lost his parents at some
point in his life. “I’ve told Emma. She’s going to tell her mom if you want her
to.”
“Yes. I think…I’m not sure what I’d say to
her right now. I’m just…I have no idea, to be honest with you. And I feel
guilty too, if you want to know the truth.” Mason only nodded. “I’m a horrible
person, aren’t I?”
“No. You’re a good man who was dealt a hard
blow. Not just with the death of your son, even though that was tragic enough, but
you’re dealing with all the things he left behind for you to take care of too. I’d
like to admit that I’m somewhat glad that it happened this way. A long trial
would have been too much on Katie and you.” Landon nodded and looked out the
window. “Emma said to tell you that she loves you so much, and that she’s
helping Katie.”
“Katie is all I ever wanted in the world when
we first met.” Talking about his wife was easier than talking about his son. “She
was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen then, and still is to this day. Katie
had this way about her that was both calming and had me all twisted up in knots
all the time. And asking her to marry me about did me in.”
“Emma looks like her. And I’m betting when
she gets older, she’ll be just as beautiful.” Landon nodded. He was a very
lucky man to have Mason as a son-in-law. “We’ve been talking while I’ve been
driving, and we were wondering if you two might come and stay with us in the
house when you get back. You don’t have to make it forever if you don’t like it,
but we’d love to have you there.”
“I lived there as a boy. I could tell you
things about that house that would curl your toes.” He leaned back and smiled
at the memories. “My mom, she had the house when she married my father. He was
a good man, stern but fair. I wanted to be like him since the first time I saw
him dealing with a thief on our land. The man had stolen a steer and was
butchering it.”
“He was hungry.” Landon nodded. “Katie told
me about him. His family was your foreman’s ancestors. That’s why they’ve been
in the family helping you all these years. I think it’s a wonderful story.”
“It is. It is at that.” Landon thought of his
son. “I guess I’ll have to make some arrangements to get him buried and all. I
was just thinking that under the circumstances that we should just have a quiet
family thing.”
“Emma is arranging to have his body shipped
to your funeral home. They’ll do an autopsy and all, but that shouldn’t be too
long.” Landon nodded. “And she’s called in a few favors at the paper to have
nothing put in the paper until after the funeral, whenever you decide to have
it.”
Landon nodded. He was simply overwhelmed. And
he wanted to hold his Katie. She was taking this hard, he knew that. And as
much as he wanted to sob on her shoulder, he was going to hold onto her while
she grieved. Landon was still having problems figuring out what he was feeling.
All he could put a finger on right now was that his son was gone.
His Katie was waiting for him on the front
porch of Mason’s home. When he got out of the truck, he moved to her like a man
in a trance. She took him into her arms and they both just stood there, neither
of them crying or speaking, just holding onto each other for now. When she
spoke—his Katie always knew what to say—he looked at her.
“People always say when something like this
happens that the person is in a better place. I don’t think that’s what is
going on this time. I think…as much as I hate to admit this, I think we’re the
ones in a better place because of his passing.” Landon nodded, his heart
twisting in his chest at the truth of her words. “Dirk had been…he’d been
pushing us away most of his life. Hurting us in one way or another. And now…now
he’s gone away, and we’re here to pick up our own lives.”
Landon felt better knowing that she was
feeling the same way. “He was so angry with me when I was leaving him. Spewing
stuff at me like I was nothing to him. Less than nothing really. If that had
been my father and me talking to him like that, I’d have been picking my head
up for the next month.”