Lucas by Kelli Ann Morgan Read Free Book Online

really do want to see us, don’t you? To be a part of
our lives?”
    Granddad nodded his
affirmation. “You’re here now, aren’t ya? And I’m offering you the chance to
claim the inheritance that young Raine can only speculate on.” He looked over
at Lucy and nodded in her direction. “That is what you want, right?”
There was a twinkle in his eyes, despite his now sunken features.
    “Not exactly. Well,
yes, but,” Lucas paused, “it’s not for me.” Lucas smiled awkwardly. “See it’s—”
    “Of course, not. It’s
for your ranch. Your father and brothers.” Granddad scratched his jawline with
the back of his fingers.
    “Yes, but I’m not the
one—”
    “Mmmmhmmmm,” Granddad
said, disbelievingly as he raised a brow, his lips protruding slightly, as he
bobbed his head. “We’ll just let that sit for a bit. Now, tell me everything. I
want to hear about you and your brothers.” He pushed his chair away from the
table and leaned back, arms folded. “How is that stubborn son of mine?” He
fired out one question right after another.
    Lucas stared at his
granddad a long while before answering. How could he fill the man in on
everything in their lives in just one conversation?
    I can’t , he relented. But, God
willing, we’ll have a lifetime to catch up.
    So much had happened.
Where did he begin?
    “Mama ran off a long
time ago.”
    “I’d heard that.” Granddad
undid the top button on his shirt and pulled the collar away from his neck. “I
always did think she was too big for her britches. Sorry, son. I know that must
have been hard on you boys.”
    “It’s simple really
and, like I said before, it was a long time ago.” He shrugged. “She was given
an opportunity and she took it. Singing on a stage in Chicago. She never looked
back.”
    “And you haven’t heard
from or seen her since?”
    “Nope. Not interested.
She made her choice and we’ve learned to live with it.” He picked up his mug
and sipped down the last of his hot chocolate. The cup tinged against the wood
when he set it back down on the table. “And then Henry...” Lucas paused,
checking the emotion in his voice. “Henry died, Granddad. Last year.”
    His grandfather’s expression
turned solemn and his jaw flexed with emotion. He swallowed hard. “Your Aunt
Leah told me it was an accident.” He turned back to the table and rested his
elbows on its top. “Those wild mustangs, for all their beauty and spirit, can
be downright devilish. I ought to know.” He turned to look at Lucas and raised
a brow. “Been thrown from enough of ‘em.”
    “You break mustangs?” Lucas
wasn’t sure why that surprised him, but it gave him a higher appreciation for
the aging man. “I didn’t remember that about you, Granddad. Honestly, I don’t
remember much about any of this.” Lucas pointed out the window with a nudge of
his chin.
    “I don’t ride much
anymore. I’m getting on in years, but don’t let anyone know I’ve admitted that.
I leave the wild ones to Hank, Sam, and their boys. A man could get himself
killed if he’s not careful.” His eyes widened immediately as if realizing the
mistake in his words. “Forgive an old man his thoughtlessness, son.”
    Lucas stole a glance at
Lucy. She was busy ladling stew into bowls, careful to avoid his gaze.
    “He didn’t suffer,” he
said with the shake of his head, “but it hit us all pretty hard.”
    Silence passed between
them again for a short time.
    “Well, he’s with the
good Lord now.” He patted Lucas on the hand. “I’ve got a confession to make,
son.”
    Cough.
    Lucy raised her head to
look at them, her eyebrows scrunched together and her ear turned slightly
toward them.
    Granddad leaned
forward, his elbows on his knees, and dropped his head.
    Lucas sat up straight
and narrowed his eyes.
    “I know about Markham
and the offer he’s made your father.”
    Lucas wasn’t sure what
he had expected the man to say, but that was not it. He furrowed his brow.