Page 74 of Glacier

It was a short ride to Micah’s place. Killing the engine, I swung off my bike and glanced at River. “I shouldn’t be long.”

River pulled off his helmet and rested it on the fuel tank, folding his arms over it as he watched me. “Take as long as you need, Pres. I’ll be here.”

I found Micah exactly where I expected. In the forge. He was a farrier and blacksmith, one of the best in the area, which was why I used him for the ranch.

He looked up when my shadow crossed the doorway. We stared at each other for a beat before he turned back to his work, sliding the horseshoe he’d been shaping into a bucket of water. It spluttered and hissed as it cooled.

I waited him out.

Finally, he wiped his hands on a cloth and walked over to a cooler. Flipping the lid, he pulled out a soft drink and held it up with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded and took it from him. It was hot as fuck in here, not that it seemed to bother Micah.

He cracked his drink open and downed half of it before speaking. “Let’s go to the house.”

I followed him, through a metal gate set into a brick wall. We walked into what felt like a small oasis—a secret garden with a weeping willow trailing long leaves into a pond, rippling the water. Plants everywhere, a greenhouse tucked to one side, sweeping lawns stretching out to meet the white porch of the house on my right.

I wasn’t expecting this. Not even close. It looked like something out of a book.

I stopped dead, taking it all in. “Fuck.”

Micah rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish shrug. “I like to garden.”

I turned slowly, taking everything in. “Jesus, Micah. This is phenomenal.” I glanced at him. “It’s not what I expected at all.”

He shrugged again. “I’ve got a lot of time. Other than work, I don’t do much else,” he admitted as he dropped onto the porch swing, setting it into a slow creak.

I stepped closer, then stopped. Silence surrounded us as we stared at the oasis he’d built. I didn’t know where to start, but I knew it had to be me. I was the eldest. I was the one who’d set us on this path.

Turning, I rested my back against the porch post as I sat on the step and set my drink beside me. For the first time in years, I really looked at my little brother.

The resemblance between us was unmistakable. Our builds were similar, though he was a little more muscular. The same dark glasses shielded the eyes we’d both inherited from our mother.

“Thank you for what you did yesterday.”

Micah opened his mouth to speak, but I lifted a hand, stopping him.

His lips thinned.

I smirked. “Let me finish. I don’t apologise often, so this probably won’t come out how it should. But I’m not just here to say thanks. You didn’t have to do what you did. Juju and I appreciate it.”

Micah took another sip of his drink.

I scrubbed a hand over my jaw, then pushed my sunglasses up onto my head. “I’m also sorry for being a dick to you growing up. It wasn’t right then, and it sure as fuck isn’t right now.”

“Jesus.” Micah chuckled. “Your Ol’ Lady must be something if she’s softened you like this.”

I huffed a quiet laugh, shaking my head. “She’s something, all right.”

Micah sighed, pushed his sunglasses up too, and fixed me with a steady look. “Appreciate the apology, but it wasn’t necessary. I know your life was hell. I’m sorry she left you there, and I hated how he treated you. I get it. You took it out on me because of her.”

Guilt ate at me. “Still wasn’t right.”

“Maybe not.” He shrugged. “But you were a kid. You lashed out. You’re not the same man now that you were then.”

He paused, studying me. “I’ve watched you over the years. You’re nothing like your father. Fuck…” He exhaled. “You’re nothing like our mother, either. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her, but she was weak. I was lucky my dad wasn’t. But she…” He shook his head. “Yeah, Simon. She was weak.”

Micah’s gaze softened. “I forgave you a long time ago. We’re good.”