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“I’m not ashamed. I just don’t think Belle wants her folks and grandma knowing about her sex life.”
“And that was all it was? Sex?”
He looked away from Jesse’s penetrating gaze. “That’s what Belle said, didn’t she?”
“No. That’s what you said. What she said was she was an adult woman who could handle having sex. You were the one who said that sex was all it was.”
“What difference does it make who said what? You and I both know it was only sex to her—all part of the plan to get me to let go of the ranch.”
Jesse stared at him. “Is that what you think? You think Belle was in on—” He cut off when Hank appeared, toting three bottles of wine.
“Come on, boys. Let’s go get drunk and pretend like we understand women.”
Mimi’s elderberry wine was as strong as Corbin remembered. After drinking half a bottle, his anger dulled . . . just not the ache in his chest. Had Jesse hit him there? It certainly felt that way. The spot beneath his rib cage hurt like hell.
He glanced over at Jesse who was sitting only feet away, leaning against another bale of hay. Corbin kicked at his brother’s boot. “You sold me out, b-b-brother.” The slurring of his words made him realize how drunk he was.
Jesse took a long drink from his bottle. “I did not sell you out. You couldn’t even ride a horse and you w-w-wanted to be a ranch-her and neither Sunny or I could talk you out of it.”
“Because I wanted to give our sister a home. Not that you give a sh-sh-shit about Sunny.”
“At least I listen to her when she talks. You don’t pay a speck of attention to what she wants.” Jesse waved a hand at the hayloft. “This ranch is a per-f-f-fect example. She didn’t want it. It was just you being a controlling, arrogant ass.”
“Maybe so, but you’re a lying backstabber. You acted like you cared about me. But as soon as a beautiful woman showed up, I was chopped liver.”
“I love chopped liver.” Hank sat on a bale of hay close to the open hatch doors, staring out at the night sky. “Darla makes this chopped liver dip that you spread on Ritz crackers. Damn, it’s good.” When Jesse and Corbin didn’t say anything, he glanced at them and shrugged. “Just saying. Chopped liver’s not a bad thing. I wish I had a brother to call me chopped liver. But I’m an only child. I never had a sibling to fight with. I get it. You both think you have just cause to be pissed at each other. And maybe you do. But you’re still brothers and that means something.”
Jesse lowered the bottle he’d just taken a drink from and pointed a finger at Hank. “You’re right, Hank. Brothers do matter.” He looked at Corbin. “I’m sorry, Whitty. I just—”
“Wanted to score points with your girlfriend and her family.”
Jesse sighed. “Maybe so, but it was the right thing to do. This is their home, Whit. Not yours. Thus the name Holiday Ranch.”
Before Corbin could argue the point, Hank spoke. “That’s not true. Just because my name is on the ranch that doesn’t mean it’s not Corbin’s home. Home isn’t about having your name on the entrance of a ranch. Or on a title of a deed. I’ve learned that in the last few months. It’s about finding a place you feel comfortable. A place where you want to love your woman and raise your family. A place you want to rest your head at night . . . and if possible, for all eternity. Mrs. Fields’ Boardinghouse will always be how the townsfolk refer to the place you bought, Jesse. But that won’t make it any less your and Liberty’s home. I guess it’s true what people say. Home is where the heart is.” He looked at Corbin. “Where’s your heart, son?”
Damned if an image of Belle didn’t pop into his head. He didn’t want it there. But there she was . . . riding through a rainstorm into the barn. Sitting on the porch swing with her hot gaze wandering over him. Standing on a corral fence yelling out warnings for him to be careful. Lying on a rock at Cooper Springs with her mismatched eyes giving him a look that took his breath away.
Hank was right.
Damned if he wasn’t right.
Home wasn’t about owning something. It was about a feeling. Not just of comfort, but of belonging. His parents had never given him a home, but they had given him Sunny. Sunny was his home . . . and now Belle was too. She not only made him feel comfortable, she also made him feel like he belonged. She had given a home to his heart.
“Bella.” Her name came out of his lips on a whisper. Just not soft enough.
Jesse looked at Corbin with sad eyes. “She wasn’t in on the plan, Whitty. I swear she didn’t know anything about it. After you left, she wanted all the details. When I told her, she got mad as hell.”
“She got mad?”
Jesse nodded. “She said it was the worst thing Sunny and I could have done to you after what your mama did. Breaking the trust you had in us had broken your heart.” He set down the bottle and moved closer until he was leaning on the same bale of hay as Corbin. “Damn, I’m sorry, Whitty. I’m so sorry.” He put an arm around him and tugged him close. “I love you, bro. You’re my family.”
Corbin pulled him in for a tight hug. “I love you too. And I don’t want the ranch. I want Belle.”
Jesse nodded against his shoulder. “And I want Libby.”
“Wait a second,” Hank piped in. “You both want my girls?”
They drew apart and looked at Hank, speaking at the same time. “Yes, sir.”
