Knocked up by the Mountain Man (Silver Ridge Mountain Men)

4. Beau

4

BEAU

F or the past year or so, my father’s health has been on a slow decline. He isn’t the robust man I remember from my childhood, the one who could handle a full day’s work on the ranch and still have the energy to regale me with stories at night. The sight of him now, frail and often bedridden, cuts me deeper than I’ll ever admit.

It’s always hard to see the family physician, but I also need to know what’s going on.

“Mr. Smith,” I greet the doctor, trying to smile even if I don’t really want to. “How’s he doing today?”

The doctor shakes my hand and gives me a small, comforting smile. “Beau, good to see you. Your father’s stable. His vital signs are holding steady, but he needs to keep taking his medications and continue to get plenty of rest.”

I nod, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. “Thanks, Doc. I appreciate you coming out here regularly.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” he replies cautiously. “But Beau, I can tell your father is still under a lot of stress. It’s not helping his condition. I’ve mentioned before that he needs to ease up, let you take on more of the responsibilities.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I know. I’ve been trying to take on more, but he won’t let me and he still insists on handling a lot of the tasks himself. He’s stubborn, always has been.”

Dr. Smith chuckles softly. “It’s hard for men like your father to let go. This ranch is his life’s work. But for his sake, and yours, you need to find a way to make him see reason. Stress is a killer, Beau.”

“I understand,” I say, though I’m not sure I do. How do you convince a man like my father to let go of the reins? “I’ll keep trying.”

The doctor pats my shoulder. “That’s all you can do. Keep trying, and don’t be afraid to be firm and put your foot down when you need to. Sometimes, tough love is the best medicine.”

I walk him to the door, and thank him again for his visit. As he drives away, I take a deep breath and head upstairs to my father’s room. The door is slightly ajar, and I can see him lying in bed, propped up by pillows, staring out the window.

“Hey, Dad,” I say softly as I enter the room.

He turns to look at me, his eyes tired but still sharp. “Beau,” he acknowledges, his voice weak but steady. “What did the doctor say?”

“Same as always,” I reply lightly, pulling up a chair beside his bed. “Keep taking your meds, get plenty of rest, and stop stressing yourself out.”

He grunts, a sound that’s both an agreement and dismissal. “Easier said than done.”

“I know,” I say, leaning forward. “But you need to let me help more. The ranch is in good hands with me, Dad. You’ve taught me well. You know you have. You’ve been teaching me since I was a kid.”

He shakes his head, his jaw set in a stubborn line. “It’s not that simple, Beau. There are things you don’t understand, responsibilities you’re not ready for. You haven’t yet proven yourself to be responsible enough for anything important.”

It’s damn near impossible not to let my frustration out, but I do my best. Arguing with this man is a bad idea, a mistake that I’ve made way too many times.

“Then teach me,” I plead instead. “Show me what I need to know. I can handle it, Dad. I need to handle it, for your sake.”

He looks at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he sighs and changes the subject up, ignoring my words.

“Now,” he says, his voice carrying a hint of the authority he always had, “tell me about that business you went to take care of in Billington. Did everything go well?”

I shift in my chair, feeling the weight of his gaze on me. “Yeah, Dad. I met with the suppliers, and secured a good deal on feed for the next year. Prices are lower than what we’ve been paying, and the quality is top notch. It should save us a considerable amount.”

He nods approvingly. “Good. And the new hires?”

“They’re settling in well,” I reply. “They did fine while me and Wyatt were away. I made sure they know the protocols and paired them with some of our more experienced hands. They’re eager to learn and seem like solid additions to the team.”

My father’s lips purse thoughtfully. “That’s good to hear,” he says, though his eyes remain skeptical. “Remember, Beau, it’s not just about securing deals and managing people. It’s about understanding the land, the livestock, and the market. All those pieces have to come together seamlessly. And you haven’t always been on your best behavior, have you?”

“I get that, Dad,” I respond, trying to keep my annoyance in check. “I’m learning more every day. You don’t have to worry about the ranch falling apart. Just because I was a little reckless a few years back, doesn’t mean I’m still like that. I’ve grown up.”

He looks at me, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “I know you have son, but this isn’t just about the ranch running smoothly. It’s about the legacy. Your grandfather started this ranch from nothing, and I built it into what it is today. One day, it’ll be yours, and you have to be ready to take it even further.”

I nod, feeling the weight of his words settle on my shoulders. “I understand, Dad. I do. And I’m committed to making sure the ranch thrives, not just for us, but for the generations to come. You know this. I’ve always been dedicated to the ranch, and I always will.”

I’ve told him this endlessly.

Why doesn’t he get it?

“Right, well I’m sure you have a lot of work to get on with, right?”

I nod, “I do, get some rest, Dad. I’ll check in on you later.” He gives a slight nod, already looking out the window once more, his thoughts far away from me.

As I step out of the bedroom, I can’t shake the feeling of his doubts clinging to me like a shadow. It’s frustrating, knowing I’ve poured my heart and soul into this ranch, yet he still seems hesitant to trust me fully.

“Beau?” Wyatt’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “There you are.”

“Oh, hey.” I force a smile. “What’s up?”

“The stable master just told me the specialist vet’s here. Should I send him over to the main barn?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I reply. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Always a drama.

Never a moment of rest.

Truth be told, that’s how I thrive.

But will Dad ever see that’s how I thrive?