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

20. Beau

20

BEAU

T he news hits me like a freight train. I’m sitting in the office, staring at the worn wood of my desk, when my phone buzzes with a text from Dad. He wants to meet. Urgently. I already know what it’s about. The doctors have been hinting at it for weeks, but Dad’s been stubborn, refusing to accept what’s coming. I wonder if he’s finally ready to face the truth. I’m not sure I am though.

With everything going on with Wyatt and Clara, my head’s already a mess. Wyatt’s stormed off, and Clara’s devastated. I have never seen her this broken, not even when she was living with her uncle. My heart aches for her, but I feel powerless to help. And now this.

I make my way to the main house, my boots crunching on the gravel path. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows, making the ranch feel eerily quiet. Inside, I find Dad in his study, slumped in his favorite leather chair. He looks up as I enter. The sadness in his eyes confirms my worst fears.

“Beau,” he starts, his voice raspy, “we need to talk.”

I sit across from him, trying to steel myself. “Yeah, Dad. What’s going on?”

He sighs deeply, running a hand through his thinning hair. “The doctors say it’s time. I don’t have long, son.”

My chest tightens. I knew this was coming, but hearing it out loud makes it real. “Dad, I...”

He holds up a hand, cutting me off. “I’m not looking for sympathy, Beau. I’ve made peace with it. What I need to do now is make sure the ranch is taken care of.”

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. “What do you need me to do?”

“I’m going to sign the ranch over to you,” he says, his eyes locking on mine. “But there’s something you need to know.”

I brace myself, knowing this won’t be easy. “What is it?”

“The Ryders,” he says slowly, “they need to go.”

I blink, taken aback by his words. “Dad, what are you talking about? Clara and Thomas are like family. And Wyatt... he’s a pain, but he’s been through a lot. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

“Exactly,” Dad snarls. “You aren’t where I want you to be yet, but I’m left with very little choice, and I blame Wyatt for that. Plus, you haven’t been as focused since Clara arrived. Everyone says so.”

“Dad, you can’t be serious,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Clara and Thomas... they’ve been like family.”

“Oh, I’m serious alright Beau,” he says, his voice hardening. “They’re more trouble than they’re worth. Clara’s reckless and irresponsible, dragging that kid around without any stability. And Wyatt? He’s a lost cause. He’ll never be anything but a burden.”

“Dad, that’s not fair,” I argue, trying to keep my voice steady. “Clara’s doing her best. She’s been through hell and back, and she’s working hard to provide a good life for Thomas.”

Dad scoffs, waving a dismissive hand. “Her best isn’t good enough. I don’t need charity cases here. And don’t get me started on Wyatt,” Dad continues, his voice dripping with disdain. “He’s a hot headed trouble maker, just like his uncle. Always causing drama, always making things difficult. We don’t need that kind of chaos around here, especially not now.”

I clench my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure. “Dad, you’re being too harsh. Wyatt’s just...”

“Just what?” Dad interrupts sharply. “A disappointment? An embarrassment? He’s got no sense of responsibility. If we let him stay, he’ll drag us and the ranch down with him.”

I feel a surge of anger, but I swallow it back. Arguing won’t help. “Clara and Wyatt are needed here, Dad. We can’t just kick them out.”

Dad leans forward, his eyes boring into mine. “Beau, listen to me. I’ve put my heart and soul into this ranch. I won’t let it fall apart because of them. You have a choice to make, the ranch or them.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “You’re asking me to choose?”

“Yes,” Dad says firmly. “It’s time you start thinking about the future of this place. I won’t be around forever, and when I’m gone, you’ll be the one in charge. You need to make tough decisions, even if they’re not easy.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his words. This ranch is my life, my legacy. I’ve poured my blood, sweat, and tears into it. But the thought of turning my back on Clara and Wyatt, of abandoning them when they need me the most, is unbearable.

“Dad, I can’t do that,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t choose between the ranch and the Ryders. They are both too important to me.”

“Then you will have nothing. If that’s the way you want it, then I’ll sell the place before I die. It will be for the best.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. “Sell the ranch?” I echo, my voice cracking. “Dad, you can’t be serious.”

“I am dead serious,” he replies, his tone icy. “This place needs a strong leader, someone who can make the hard decisions. If you’re not willing to do that, then it’s better off in someone else’s hands.”

The air feels thick, like I’m suffocating. I stare at him, trying to process what he’s saying. This ranch has been in our family for generations. It’s more than just land; it’s our history, our legacy. And now he’s threatening to take it all away.

“Dad, please,” I say, my voice trembling. “There has to be another way. We can find a solution that doesn’t involve kicking out Clara and Wyatt or selling the ranch.”

He shakes his head, looking weary. “Beau, I’m tired. I don’t have the energy to keep fighting. You need to decide what’s more important to you, your loyalty to them or the future of this ranch.”

I feel a storm of emotions brewing inside me. Anger, frustration, sorrow. I’ve always tried to do the right thing, to balance my responsibilities with my relationships. But this? This would tear me apart, no matter what I chose.

“Fine,” I say, my voice hardening. “If you’re really going to make me choose, then I don’t choose this. I don’t choose to become you .”

Dad’s expression shifts, a mix of disappointment and resignation. “So be it,” he murmurs. “I’ll start making the arrangements to sell. I hope you understand what you’re giving up.”

With that, he turns away, his shoulders slumping in disappointment. I stand there for a moment, feeling a sense of loss so profound it’s like a physical pain. Then I turn and leave, my mind reeling.

He’s joking, right? I think desperately to myself. This is just a test. He won’t do a thing…

The walk out of the main house is a blur. Anger and sadness battle within me, creating a whirlwind of emotions that I can barely keep in check. My mind races, thinking about everything that’s been poured into the ranch by generations of my family. It feels like it’s slipping through my fingers, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

I head straight to Wyatt’s home, hoping to find some solace. I don’t expect Wyatt to have cooled down yet, but I don’t necessarily need to see him.

There she is.

Thank goodness.

The sight of Clara sitting on the porch as Thomas runs around finally brings a smile to my face. Even if she does look a little pale…

“Clara,” I call softly, trying not to disturb her too much.

She looks up, and a weak smile crosses her face. “Beau. What happened?”

I sit down next to her, my shoulders heavy with the weight of the world. “Dad’s going to sell the ranch,” I say, my voice raw with emotion. “Because I refused to kick you and Wyatt out.”

Clara’s eyes widen, and for a moment, she just stares at me, looking shocked. “He’s... he’s really going to sell it?” she whispers, her voice trembling.

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yeah. He thinks it’s the only way to save the ranch. He wants me to choose between the ranch and... and you .”

Her expression shifts from shock to hurt, and she looks down at her hands. “I always knew we were a burden. I know people judged us because of my uncle, but I didn’t think it would come to this. I didn’t think it’d ever get that bad. Does Wyatt know that we’re pariahs at Silver Ridge?”

“Clara, no,” I say, reaching out to take her hand. “It isn’t like that.”

She pulls her hand away, standing up and pacing back and forth. “But that’s just it, Beau. As long as we’re here, that shadow will always hang over us. No matter what we do, people will always see us as the trouble makers, the ones who don’t belong. I can’t do this to you, to Thomas. We can’t live under that burden forever.”

“Clara…”

She rises sharply to her feet, looking unsteady. “I should have known better than to come back. This is a mistake.”

She stops suddenly, swaying on her feet. I leap up, grabbing her arm to steady her. “Clara, sit down. You’re not well.”

She shakes her head, attempting to pull away. “I’m fine, just stressed.”

“Clara,” I insist, my grip tightening just enough to hold her in place without hurting her. “You’re not going to figure out anything like this. Sit down before you fall down.”

She looks at me, and for a moment, I see the fear and exhaustion in her eyes. Then her knees buckle. I catch her before she hits the ground, scooping her up in my arms.

“Beau, I’m fine,” she protests weakly, but her body tells a different story.

“You’re not fine,” I say, carrying her to the house. “Let me just get you inside, okay? Thomas, come on, let’s go.” I call out to him.

She leans against me, allowing me to guide her inside with Thomas following behind. I get her to bed and watch as she drifts off to sleep. Stress shouldn’t do this to anyone. I really am going to have to keep an eye on her, because it seems like everything is becoming way too much. For everyone.