Page 69 of If I Didn’t Have You

And seven days of milkshakes being thrown in my face.

I was beginning to hate the flavor of strawberries, which was a shame considering how wonderful they tasted in nearly everything Clara made.

I wiped the milk from my face, sighing down at my shirt as yet another piece of clothing needed to be immediately laundered. Didn’t these people realize that I had no washing machine handy? The laundromat was getting way too much of my money, along with nearly every other business in town that was greedily eating up my cash since I was without the luxuries of my own damn home.

“Get another milkshake to the face?” Sam asked, squinting through the sun as he ran in place.

“Is it that obvious?”

He motioned for me to follow him. “Keep up. You can use my locker room.”

Keep up? Did he actually think I was going to run with him? “I’m in cowboy boots.”

“Well, you’re gonna have to find something more comfortable tomorrow.” Then he took off, jogging backward. “Come on, old man. I don’t have all day!”

Old man, my ass. I might not be as young as him, or in shape like he was, but I wasn’t old by any means. I ran after him, looking fucking ridiculous in my jeans and plaid shirt. I ignored the chuckles and snide remarks, focusing on the fact that I was so damn close to a shower that didn’t include my kitchen sink or a tiny stall I barely fit in.

By the time I reached the gym, I was sweating and panting hard, but that cool water was just a few feet away. Fuck, I was out of shape. I wheezed as I walked into the open space, bending over to catch my breath.

“You really are out of shape,” Sam chuckled, walking over with a bottle of water, tossing it to me.

“I’m not a professional boxer.”

I chugged the water, refusing to admit how much that winded me or how sore my body was from just a simple run.

“Showers are in the back. Be here tomorrow at five.”

“For what?” I asked, thoroughly confused.

But did he answer? Not even a little. Shaking my head, I grabbed my shower, surprised to find fresh clothes waiting for me outside the showers on the bench. They weren’t exactly my style, but they weren’t covered in sweat either. So, I pulled them on and was about to leave when I heard shouting in the gym.

Sam was in the ring with his training partner, and his coach was yelling out tips. I stood off to the side, watching in awe as Sam danced around the ring, avoiding hit after hit. I’d been to one of his matches, but honestly, I’d been in too much of a slump to care about what I was watching.

Frankly, I’d been in a slump for five years. I hadn’t wanted to admit it, but Clara was right. I hadn’t been myself in a long time. As much as her words hurt, I knew they were true.

I needed to fix myself.

I didn’t know how I was supposed to do that when I didn’t have a single clue who I was anymore. For my entire life, I’d had one purpose: Take care of the ranch.

That’s what was expected of me, but the ranch was gone. Well, the cattle were gone. There was nothing more I could do to save what used to be. But I could take a look at the damn books and talk to Liam about what was currently happening on my own property.

So, I drove out to the ranch, careful to avoid Clara at all costs. The last thing I wanted was another encounter. I’d never once truly avoided my wife, but now, I was doing everything in my power to steer clear.

Liam was outside with Duke when I pulled up, and the moment that kid saw me, he came running. Well, he toddled with his arms stretched out. The kid was just about to turn one, but he’d been walking around furniture since he was six months old. Thankfully, he waited until he was nine months to walk on his own. Anything sooner would have given Bailey a heart attack.

“Hey there, little man,” I grinned, scooping him up in my arms just as he was about to trip in the grass. “What are you up to today?”

The kid babbled on about something, but I had no clue what he was saying as spit dribbled down his chin. But one word I did recognize. Papa. As Duke pressed his hands to either side of my face and stared at me with wide eyes, I was brought back to the first time Liam stared at me with that same expression. This kid was just like his old man.

“Mornin’, Pop.”

“Everything good this morning?” I asked, walking over to him.

“Just giving Bailey some time to shower. That kid is running her ragged.”

“You were the same way.”

A funny look shot across his face. “I was not.”