Last Chance Rebel Read Online Free PDF Page A

spread outward. Anger, pouring through him like molten metal. “I know.”
    â€œMadison... You have no idea what she’s been through. The things they say about her... She could have used you here. I could have.”
    â€œWhat happened to Madison?”
    â€œShe’s going to have to tell you about it. You don’t get to come in and learn all of our secrets right off the bat. We’ve been here. Taking care of Mom, taking care of each other. All you took care of was yourself, Gage. So forgive me if I can’t just accept the fact that you’re here. And that you think you have a right to step in and start handling family business.”
    Gage pressed his hand against one of the supports on the deck. “This isn’t about rights. It’s about responsibility.”
    â€œYou haven’t cared about responsibility at all in more than a decade. Why are you starting now?”
    â€œBecause I was asked to.”
    Colton didn’t say anything to that. Instead, he rocked back on his heels, looking toward the inside of the house.
    â€œThat woman is your wife?” Gage asked, suddenly realizing that he didn’t know much of anything about his siblings. Beyond Sierra’s very obvious pregnancy.
    â€œLydia,” Colton said. “And yes. She is.”
    â€œIt doesn’t seem right that you’re married. I remember you being sixteen.”
    â€œHate to break it to you, but time marched on while you were gone.”
    Gage suddenly felt hideously old. And a little bit like something that might be found on the bottom of his boot. But then, he imagined that that was Colton’s goal. He couldn’t say he didn’t deserve it.
    â€œYeah, I guess it did.”
    â€œWhat exactly are you going to do? About that debt?”
    â€œI’m going to sell off as much as I can. My goal is to preserve the business and the ranch. I assume you’re good with that.”
    He could tell Colton was good with it, and more than a little annoyed that he couldn’t disagree. “Yes. I mean, that’s what I would do.”
    â€œI don’t have a sinister agenda, here. All I want to do is what I was asked to. And then, I’ll get right back out of your life.”
    â€œI don’t feel like Mom is going to be very impacted. Unless she goes through and counts all the assets.”
    â€œI guarantee you the only thing she goes through and counts is her pills.”
    His brother’s stark words hit him hard. He’d known their mother was fragile. He’d always known. But this...this hurt. “That bad?”
    Colton shook his head, his expression suddenly softening. “She does her best. But, Dad was bad enough that you left. I don’t know what you’ve been out doing, but whatever, you had the skills to do it. Can you imagine being stuck with him? There’s nothing else for her.”
    Horror streaked down his spine. “He doesn’t... He’s never laid a hand on her, has he?”
    â€œIt isn’t like that. But she’s stuck. She’s completely dependent. And he’s... He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. You know that. Everything is justifiable as long as Nathan West is comfortable. We found out about Jack this past year.” Gage had a feeling his mother had known a lot longer than that, but he didn’t see the point in correcting Colton on that score. “We all found out,” Colton continued. “Now her husband, who I think she hates as much as she loves, has had a stroke. And you’re back.”
    â€œShe doesn’t know that yet, does she?”
    â€œNo,” Colton said. “Stay away until we’re ready to deal with it.”
    Gage took a step back. This command from Colton was more convenient than he’d like it to be. The edict to stay away from his mother, from his father, for a while suited him more than he’d like to admit. “You have my word on