“Peachy?”
“It’s Mom’s new favorite word.”
Nash grunted, which was his usual response when he didn’t need to speak.
“It’s nice in here.” Ford looked around the small space.
There was a single bedroom upstairs, and down here open plan lounge, dining, and kitchen. It wasn’t a big space, but it was his, and that made Nash love it.
Opening the fridge, he took out two sodas and threw one at his brother.
“Maggie came to see me yesterday.” Ford fell into Nash’s favorite chair, which meant he had to take the one opposite.
“She’s happy,” Nash said.
“She is, but she wasn’t when she let me have it. Apparently, I’m a selfish, spoiled asshole who has no idea how this thing called family and siblings works.”
Nash winced. Their baby sister was a firecracker and never held back when she felt something needed to be said. She had red hair and a serious attitude. She’d found a man who understood her and loved her for the crazy that could sometimes inhabit her brain.
“Yeah, it wasn’t pretty, and the worst part is, Mom and Dad backed her up.” Ford swallowed a mouthful of soda.
Two years older than Nash, Ford Winter was the exact replica of the man who had raised them. He had morals and an honorable streak that made him the ideal big brother. Nash had always admired Ford, even if sometimes he wanted to punch him.
“Aha,” Nash said. “But you need to fill me in here, bro. I have no clue what you’re in the dog box for.”
“I’ve been here once, Nash.”
“I know.”
“Did you ever wonder why?”
Nash shrugged. “Yeah, but then I know you’re busy.”
“We’re busy,” Ford said in a tight voice. “Not just me.”
Nash nodded, eyes on his brother.
“I’m sorry.”
“Okay.”
“I always thought you’d live on the ranch, Nash. It was a shock when I realized you didn’t want that.” The words exploded out of Ford. “I was angry. I didn’t know you wanted out.”
“I don’t want out, but the ranch will always be yours. Your family will grow up there.”
“I wanted you there too. We could have built another house on it, would have if I’d known you wanted your own place.”
“The ranch is in my blood. It’s the place I work and love, and yes, it’s home, but I wanted this, Ford. When I first saw it, I knew I had to have it.”
His brother shook his head. “I was angry and behaved badly. I never even congratulated you on buying it. I’m sorry. All I could think was I was losing the man who had always been in my life. My friend.”
Nash felt the sting behind his eyes.
“You need to cut that shit out, bro. You know we’re not the emotional type.”
“It’s clearly Maggie rubbing off on me.” Ford gave him his lopsided smile.
“I’m saying this once then we’re done, because this shit makes me itch,” Nash said. “Besides Dad, you’re the only man I would walk through hell for. You’re my brother and my best friend. I love you, that will never change, and I’ll be on that ranch most days to annoy the crap out of you.”
Ford got to his feet as Nash did, and they hugged hard. “I’m sorry, bro. Now show me around your place.”
“Then you’re coming with me into town. If I have to go into a tea shop, so do you.”