Saviours of Oestend Oestend 2 by Marie Sexton Read Free Book Online Page A

BarChi the next day was the hardest thing he’d ever done. There had been no way to send word that they were on their way, so everybody was bound to look out to see exactly who was coming down the road. No doubt Deacon and Aren would both groan and turn away. The hands? He had no idea what they knew. Jay would be pleased. His father would be kind, but perhaps distant because Dante had brought so much misery on them all. He was tempted to turn around and go right back to the Austin ranch. The one thing that kept him headed forward was the thought of seeing Tama.
    As he pulled his wagon into the courtyard, he saw Deacon coming out of the kitchen. Deacon’s jaw clenched, and he turned away without even a nod. Dante tried to pretend that didn’t hurt. Deacon ducked his head back into the kitchen, talking to somebody inside, and the next minute, Tama was running out the door, practically knocking Deacon over as she pushed past him.
    Whatever reservations Dante had were eclipsed for the moment by the joy of seeing her. He jumped out of the wagon and caught her in the air as she threw her arms around his neck.
    “You’re here! I was so afraid you’d never come home!”
“Didn’t exactly want to, but here I am anyway.”
“Holy Saints, I hate you so much for leaving!”
He laughed and hugged her tighter. He kissed the side of her head. Years earlier, when
    their friendship had first begun, Jay had been jealous, but he’d quickly realised he needn’t be. Tama was a perfectly faithful wife, and Dante had never desired her anyway. Their relationship had always been close, but also innocent.
“How’s life up on that ranch?” Tama asked.
    He wanted to say a thousand things at once, some that were true, and some that weren’t—it’s lonely, it stinks, it’s fine, it’s perfect. But what popped into his head first and foremost was how quickly he’d learned to appreciate the work the women on the BarChi did. He laughed as he let her go, but he did exactly as he’d vowed. He got down on his knees and pulled her close, although it meant bumping his head into her stomach and knocking his hat backward onto the ground. “I want you to know, I’ll never sit down to a meal again without thanking the cook. And I thank the Saints for you every time I milk the damn cows. And I think of you every single time I have to put on dirty shorts.”
    She laughed and smacked playfully at the top of his head. “Well, it’s about time for that first one, and the second, but the thing about your shorts is just disturbing.”
He laughed and stood up to hug her again. It was amazing how something as simple as laughing with Tama could take away so much of the anguish he’d been living with. He hadn’t quite realised how empty he’d felt.
Jay appeared next to shake Dante’s hand, and their father was close behind. Jeremiah surprised him by pulling him into a strong bear hug. “I’m awful glad you’re home, son.”
It all felt more natural than he’d expected, and Dante sighed in relief. He’d expected to feel like an outcast, but really, it felt just as it always had. Tama’s boys were there, although only for a moment before they went back to whatever game they were playing. Some of the hands stepped in to say hello. Not all of them, of course, but a couple, like Red and Ronin, who’d been around for a while. They shook his hand or slapped his back and moved on.
Dante noticed Aren come out of the barn. The young man glanced warily at Dante, but didn’t approach him. Instead, he went straight to Cami. She’d been standing off to the side, looking lost and awkward and completely alone. Dante felt bad for having forgotten her, but Aren hadn’t. Cami smiled when she saw him. She hugged him, and he put his arm around her waist and led her away, towards the main house.
Deacon was nowhere to be seen.
“How long are you staying?” Tama asked. “Just here for a few days.”
“Just tonight and then a night on our way back. Headed to