Forever Changed Read Online Free PDF Page A

know her? He could just pass on the message and hightail it out of there. But he wouldn’t. That wasn’t how he was built. If he could help it, he didn’t run away from relationships.
    Whoa. We just met.
    It was true, but he wouldn’t run from something that could be. That was his father’s job.
    He cleared his throat to let them know he was there. Dan looked startled, but the expression was fleeting.
    “Sir.” Tommy nodded.
    “Thomas.”
    They stood and stared at each other. It was only seconds, but Tommy would’ve sworn it was longer. Dan had the same brown eyes. It was like seeing what he’d look like in a few years’ time. It was eerie.
    “I came here with a message.”
    “She’s gone, isn’t she?”
    Tommy could only nod.
    “Did she make you come here?”
    “She wanted me to tell you she said goodbye.”
    Dan crumbled before his eyes. “She wouldn’t let me come to her.”
    Tommy moved fast and helped Dan to the table.
    “I didn’t know you were talking. She never said anything to me.”
    “We agreed to wait. I knew you’d hate me and I wanted time— Hell, boy, I was stalling. Didn’t want to see how much you hated me for what happened.”
    “Why didn’t you come sooner?” He had to know why his dad had abandoned them. Had money really been all that important? It didn’t look like it if Dan’s actions were anything to go by. He was just as broken up as Tommy. The hate he’d built up for years was slowly disappearing and Tommy didn’t know how he felt about it.
    “Your ma is—was—sorry, was a pistol and stubborn as hell. I was young and stupid. It took her a long time to forgive me and she didn’t want to bring you into it yet because she didn’t trust me. At least, I didn’t think… But you’re here now… I… Excuse me.” Dan shot up and left the room.
    Tommy put his head into his hands. He was surprised to feel Abi rubbing circles on his back. He looked up to see she had tears in her eyes.
    “He talked about your mom all the time. I know you have reason to hate him. Heck, I knew he had a son. My mom worked here when Dorothy and Danny were together. She told me how it was a great love, but Danny’s parents wouldn’t allow it. It was so sad and now there is nothing he can do to get that back.”
    “Yeah, well, he should have taken a stand before I was born.”
    “He wanted to, but he couldn’t. Don’t you see? He wouldn’t have been able to support the both of you if he’d left with your mom. He only knew ranching and this place wasn’t his yet. He let you go because he knew his parents would offer money. He told your mom to take it and run.”
    “How do you know so much about this?”
    “I listen. Danny likes to talk when he’s had a few.”
    Abi hugged him tight. Tommy closed his eyes and didn’t want to move. Ever.

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Eric walked back into the house. Phil had everything under control and now that the other hands were back, it gave him a bit of time. There was no way he could leave Tom and Abi alone right now. He wanted to be there to support them.
    He figured it had to be rough for Tom to meet his dad under such horrible circumstances. Everyone on the ranch knew Dan had a son, but none of them had really expected to meet him. Now here he was and Eric didn’t want him to leave.
    Tom sat at the table with Abi beside him. Dan was nowhere to be seen.
    “Hey.”
    They both looked up. Tom’s eyes were bright with unshed tears and Abi’s face had streaks from where she’d been crying. It must not have gone well.
    “Hey, yourself. How are the horses?”
    “Good. The others have it under control. I’ll go back out later to relieve Phil.”
    Tom was getting control of himself and Eric hoped that it wasn’t to put up a wall. Not when they didn’t have much time. Tom had talked to Dan. He could leave now.
    “How…um… Where’s Dan?” He twisted his hands. He had no idea why he was so nervous.
    “He went to his room, I suspect. He took