As Carson and Dove drove east through Smithson toward the ranch, he appreciated the darkness engulfing the tower pines surrounding the town. The darkness in Smithson was broken only by the light spilling from the odd open business and his headlights as he drove down Main Street. Carson was glad that the town had agreed that light pollution would only ruin their collective view of the heavens in a town council meeting several years back.
As Carson drove home, he reflected on how best to revisit the decision to disband the office with Rafe and Gabe. He knew that the decision was his alone to make but somehow he needed to make sure the two of them understood what an opportunity he was presenting them. In their mid-thirties, it wasn’t too late to strike out on their own to make their own fortunes, “But how do I make those two hard-headed, entitled brats suck it up and make something of themselves rather than riding on my coattails for eternity?” Carson asked himself and Dove.
Not expecting a response, Carson hopped out of the car and opened the first cattle gate. After it was closed he continued to drive to the house, tired but energized by his decision earlier and the new project he would be starting. Pulling up to the house, Carson noticed all of the lights on and couldn’t fathom why.
Pulling open the heavy pine door, Carson’s ears were immediately assaulted by the sounds of a heated argument. Dove heard the commotion and bolted for the sanctity of the library. Theresa’s voice crystal clear as she hurled insults and hate at someone.
Theresa was Carson’s oldest child and only daughter, and her second husband had fled two weeks ago. If he were honest, Carson didn’t blame Ben Johnson for fleeing and was amazed he remained married to her for as long as he had. Theresa’s marriage to Ben had not been for love but for money and if Carson had to guess, she had just learned that the pre-nuptial she signed prior to the marriage was unbreakable.
Theresa came stampeding down the stairs, oblivious to all but the person on the other end of the phone conversation.
“I don’t care what you think. Do you know who my father is? Do you know what he will do to your career if you fail to break that ridiculous trash agreement I signed when I married that ball player?” Her voice was shrill, haughty, arrogant, and condescending.
Theresa spied her father and abruptly ended her call. She came flying down the stairs heading toward Carson like a spoiled five-year old expecting Santa Claus to still be there on Christmas morning. Carson neatly side stepped her out stretched arms and Theresa’s venomous glare landed on him as she stumbled and turned to face him. “Why won’t you hug me daddy?” her voice whining and needling.
“Theresa Marie Stone Russo Johnson I’ve told you too many times to count now that I am not getting in the middle of your divorce proceedings. Stop flinging my name about like I’m going to ride in and save you. You are thirty-eight and dammit woman it is high time you started acting like it and took responsibility for your own actions.”
Carson’s words rolled off her like water on a duck, she always got her way and this time would be no different. “But,”
“Just stop right there,” Carson’s voice rung out steady and firm. “I told you repeatedly since Ben left you high and dry two weeks ago that I won’t be your knight in shining armor. Stop using my name in a foolish attempt to bully your divorce attorney. Truth be told, you are lucky I’m letting you stay here at all. Don’t push your luck or you will find yourself out of the house and all contact with me cut off.”
Theresa stared at her father, hate and contempt swimming behind lilac eyes. “Just try me old man, just try me.” Her venom voice filling the foyer with her unspoken promise.
As she said this, she glanced up and saw Rafe and Gabe laughing at her. “Same goes for the two of you sorry, pathetic creatures still suckling at Daddy’s teat all these years later. Grow a pair and man up.”
The twins, not known for liking one another and never doing anything together if it could be helped, laughed at her words in unison. “Oh do shut-up both of you!”
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