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Barbara's laughter was condescending. "You're kidding yourself. My son finally got some sense and left this miserable town in the dust. We won't ever see him again."
God, no. The visceral terror of her words felt like a punch to the balls. Seth couldn't allow himself to even think she might be right. It would cripple him. He cracked his neck and stood. "With all due respect, ma'am, you don't know your son at all if you believe that. Aiden loves this town. He loves the people here, he loves you—and he loves me."
Barbara opened her mouth, but Seth cut her off before she could spit any more venom. Her words were a twisted combination of her own hopes and fears. They had nothing to do with him. "I didn't come here to argue," he said firmly. "I came because Aiden wanted to help with your roof. It was important to him."
He dug an envelope from his back pocket and held it out. She eyed the envelope like it might bite before snatching it from his hand and breaking the seal. Her brows lifted as she counted the bills inside.
"He didn't earn this," she said accusingly. "It's too much."
"It's not just for the roof," Seth acknowledged. "I'm buying Bandit."
Her head snapped up in surprise. It was the first time Seth had ever seen her caught off guard. "Bandit's not for sale," she retorted sharply, but her expression was uneasy. She sounded almost afraid.
Seth looked her dead in the eye. "We both know that horse belongs to Aiden. You don't want him, and you don't need him. He's a tool for you to bribe Aiden with, but you never needed it. Your son will always be there when you need him, whether you deserve it or not, because that's the kind of man he is. He doesn't give up on people. When the whole town thought the worst of me, he was the only one who never turned his back on me. When I hurt him and pushed him away, he never hated me. He was there for me, ready to help when I let him back in. That's why I have faith that he'll come back when he's ready—and when he does, he'll visit you whether or not you're keeping that horse hostage."
The scented, recirculated air in the room felt heavy. Aiden's mother didn't speak for a long time. She folded her arms around her midsection in a gesture that looked more defensive than she probably realized.
"Take the money," Seth said, softening his tone to sound like a suggestion and not a command. "When Aiden comes home, use this as your chance to start fresh with him."
She couldn't meet his eyes, but he saw the war between doubt and hope in her expression. Her voice wavered when she asked, "What will you do if he never comes home?"
He'd never liked this woman, and he'd never forgive her for the hell she'd put Aiden through growing up, but he suddenly pitied her. Maybe Aiden was right when he'd said her need to control everything was just a way to mask her fears. It must be a terrible way to live.
"I'll wait," he said simply. "However long it takes. I'll be in Aiden's corner for the rest of his life, no matter what."
Despite his false confidence, he hadn't truly believed Aiden's mother would agree, and he didn't rest easily until Bandit was settled in the paddock with Diamond later that night. He stood at the living room window, staring at the dark silhouette of the barn and wishing he could call Aiden with the good news. Respecting his decision was killing him. It felt like he was bleeding out on the floor with each passing minute.
"You're thinking about Aiden again," Tessa said, approaching quietly from behind.
Seth sighed and let the curtains drop closed. "Can't seem to help it," he admitted, turning to meet his sister's eyes. "He can't stay out of trouble on his own. What if something happens?—"
"Without you to make all his decisions for him?" Tessa asked pointedly.
Seth hesitated, and then his mouth snapped closed. "That's not what I meant," he muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I know." Her tone was fond, and her eyes were full of sympathy. She stretched her hands out toward the fire grate and wiggled her fingers, soaking in the warmth. "I understand it better now, you know, now that I have Riley. What it's like to worry about someone you love, I mean."
Seth closed his eyes, wishing he felt anything but despair. "It's killing me," he admitted in a whisper. "I can't stop thinking about him. He's out there somewhere, hurting, and I don't even know where he went. I just have to sit here and let it happen."
"Yeah, but you're not just sitting around, are you?" Tessa asked, raising her brows. "That new horse in the barn says otherwise—and what's with the boxes in the hallway? What are you planning?"
Seth ran a hand through his hair, fingers pulling at the tangled ends, reminding him of all the times Aiden had played with the strands in bed. He could still hear his laughter, feel the weight of his lanky body on top of him, and see the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
Aiden had burrowed so deep into Seth's heart that it felt hollow without him. Seth had always loved him, but it was different now that he'd truly been with him. He couldn't just go on like it hadn't happened. He'd sensed it the first time they met; their paths had always been meant to join. He had to believe they would find their way back to each other.
He cleared his throat and said roughly, "First, I'm going to find him. I don't know how long it'll take, but I won't stop until I do. Then I'm bringing him home."
"Didn't he sell his trailer?"
Seth shook his head. "I'm going to move him into the ranch house. He needs a home, Tessa. A real one. I want to be that for him. I—I figured you wouldn't mind."
"You know I don't." She reached out like a little girl wanting a hug, but they both knew she wasn't the one who needed it. Seth stepped into her embrace, allowing her to wrap her arms around his waist and squeeze it tight. "You're the best brother a girl could ask for," she mumbled into his chest. "You've spent your whole life concerning yourself with everyone else's happiness—Mom and Dad, Aiden, and me. You deserve to be happy, too. I'll help you. Whatever it takes."
"Thanks, Tess," Seth murmured, cupping the back of her head to hold her close. His eyes stung, and a lump rose in his throat, but he swallowed them back down. If he gave into despair now, he'd never pull out of it, and there was too much to do. He had no time for self-pity. He had to keep moving forward—for Aiden and their future.
Seth was going to find him, no matter how long it took, and then he would bring him home where he belonged.
Chapter Thirty-Four
