“Oh, we aren't going anywhere,” she says, and I feel myself smile.
9
Trace
I stare up at the house my little doll grew up in and wonder how so much sweetness and warmth could come from a place like this. The old farmhouse looks like it was built over a hundred years ago and hasn’t been updated once in all that time.
Winston was passing his daughter off to another man. I have a feeling it was more to do with money than anything. The thought makes my stomach turn and my blood boil. How could a father do that to his little girl?
I take a calming breath, trying to get my emotions under control. I think about my sweet girl to soothe myself. The image of waking up to her this morning enters my mind and peace falls over me. I can’t walk in here and kill this man for two reasons. One, he’s my girl’s father, and two, I promised her she could trust me. I’m not breaking my word to her because it’s clear she needs to be able to put stock in it. I told her I’d be home before the sun went down, and I’m going to make sure I’m there and not in a jail cell.
The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can go home to her. I focus as I push myself off from the side of my truck and make my way up the worn stairs. They creak and groan under my weight. Before I can make it to the door, it flies open and Winston shows himself.
He looks worse than his house, and I try to recall the last time I saw him. His hair is gray and his skin is weathered from years of being out in the sun without his hat. He looks shorter than I recall, or maybe I’m just bigger. I don’t run much into farmers anymore as I don’t really farm. I just deal with the oil and whoever they hire to work the rigs.
“You’re one of the Jennings boys,” he says, pushing the screen door open. I clench my fist at my side to stop myself from hauling off and punching him.
“Trace,” I clip and push past him, going straight for the stairs and taking them two at a time. I make my way down the hallway, pushing open each door as I do, looking for her room.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I hear the old man yell from downstairs. I ignore him and push open the last door at the end of the hallway. The room is so small with almost nothing in it. At first I think it’s simple, but it’s more than that, it’s almost fucking bare. I walk over to the closet and open the doors. A few dresses hang in it, and like everything else in the house, they’re worn and frayed.
“I’m going to call the cops!” Winston yells when he finally gets to the bedroom.
“For what?” I challenge, taking a step towards him. He must sense the danger now because he takes a step back.
“Trespassing.”
“Try again. This whole farm is mine.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve owned this farm for years.”
“Until you took a loan out on it. A loan you haven’t been making payments on.” One I bought out from the bank. All it took was one call. One of the plus sides to oil is you never have to worry about money.
“No, there’s a misunderstanding. The bank is getting their money. I talked to Mr. Luck the other day. I just need a few more days and I’ll be paying in full. I’m waiting for a sale to go through. I got set back a few days with the deal.”
That’s what breaks me. My fist flies, hitting him right in the jaw and sending him flying back. He hits the floor hard, and the burn in my fist feels good.
“Yeah, I know what you were trying to fucking sell.” I walk towards him, towering over his limp body. He’s lying on the floor and holding the side of his face.
“You have her, don’t you? She’s min—”
I land a hard kick to his side, stopping him from trying to voice any claim to her. Then I lean down, getting close to him.
“You listen, and you listen good. Call the cops, but no one is going to believe your word over mine. Besides, you wouldn’t make it to pressing charges. I’d be damn sure of that. The only reason you’re breathing right now is because of her. I don’t think her heart could take knowing I killed you, something I very much want to do,” I snarl. As cold as it sounds, ending his life means nothing to me. Some animals just need to be put down.
“If you go trying to throw me in jail, taking me away from her, I’ll have a change of heart and finish what I’m itching to do. Nod if you understand me.”
He nods, keeping his mouth shut.
“Now you’re going to get your shit and get the fuck out of here. Come noon tomorrow, this house won’t be standing. You’ve got until then.” I stand up. “I’d make sure wherever you go, it isn’t inside the state of Texas.” With that, I turn and leave.
I came in wanting to get her stuff, but there isn’t anything worth taking. She doesn’t need something from here. I’ll give her everything she ever needs and wipe away all reminders of the life she had here. I want to wash away this place from her memory so it’s never a thought in her mind.
I slide into my truck and head back towards home. The anger still weighs down on me. I wanted to do more to him. The thought of him slapping her around makes me clench the steering wheel, and I hear it groan under my hold. I know there’s only one thing that is going to cool me and it’s her. I need her sweetness back on me.
“Shit,” I mutter when I see Ty’s truck parked outside the house. I park my truck and dash in the front door, stopping in my tracks when I see my baby doll holding little Ty Junior. Warmth spreads in my chest. Her face lights up when she sees me, and she hands the toddler back to MJ. Then she runs at me like she always does, jumping into my arms.