Love on the Line (Beaumont Legacy #2)

27. Cooper

Chapter twenty-seven

Cooper

T he spacious breakfast nook in Cooper’s parents’ house had always been one of his favorite places. When they’d been younger, he and his sisters would sit and eat before school together, looking out over the rolling green hills of the ranch. He’d listen to Lily Ann tell stories about her friends or give her advice about boys. He’d tell Iris how pretty her paintings or photographs were. He’d talk to Daisy about the flowers that bloomed in the garden she tended with their mother. Sometimes Dylan would join them, though usually silently.

It was the most at peace he’d felt in Oakridge Springs, other than on the football field. In a house that often turned into a warzone, with five children in close proximity who argued almost constantly, the breakfast nook had never seemed to allow that kind of negativity .

Cooper had even been sure to add one to his house in Charleston, imagining that one day, no matter the chaos of his life, he would still find the same peace there.

The next morning he sat there, watching Dylan and his father drive the truck until they were out of sight, likely dealing with downed fence posts from the last storm that’d blown through.

Maya was headed into town with his sisters, and he’d promised to meet them after he talked to his parents. Though it seemed he would have to wait until after his father came back.

Cooper’s mother slid into the other side of the nook. “Did you sleep well?”

He nodded, then cleared his throat, looking out the window. “I’m sorry I haven’t been the best about answering your calls and texts.”

“Oh, that’s okay, sweetie. I know you’re busy.”

Grass swayed outside, and Cooper could just make out the corner of his sister’s garden, pretty pink flowers waving in the breeze.

“Do you remember when you taught me to ride a horse?”

His mother chuckled. “Of course. You hated every second of it. The complete opposite of your brother. And Tex knew too, because as gentle as he was with me, he had no interest in letting you saddle him.”

Cooper smiled at the memory. He’d never been a big fan of the stables, and it’d taken him months longer than Dylan to learn how to ride. Dylan had always been a natural. “I think, even though I didn’t realize it then, that was one of the first moments that showed me I didn’t belong on the ranch. Not like Dyl,” he murmured, turning to her.

“Oh, pumpkin. Don’t say that. You were always so helpful. Any time your father asked you to help, you jumped at the chance.”

That had more to do with wanting to be like his father than enjoying the work. For a long time, all he’d cared about was his father’s approval. And then, when one of his middle school teachers had told him his height could be an advantage for their football team, he’d signed up.

Cooper had been like a god on the field, and over the years had earned the adoration of everyone in the town. And that seemed to be enough to get his father’s attention and love too. So out went ranching, and in came football.

His mother clasped his hands. “I’m sorry he stormed out of dinner like that. There’s a young kid running for mayor this time around, and he’s just worried. You know how he is. He loves this town like family, and he’d feel a whole lot better knowin’ the person taking over cared as much as he did.”

“Ma, I’m tired of you bein’ Dad’s spokesperson just because he knows I struggle to say no to you.”

She squeezed his hands, eyes sad. “Just want you to see things the way we do.”

Cooper removed his hands from hers, crossing his arms over his chest .

“Do you know how impressive it is that I’m on a team that’s won two championships? That I’ve scored touchdowns during those championships? Do you know how frustrating it is to stand before my family and know that they don’t see who I am at all? That they can’t even listen to me when I say I’m doin’ something I care about, something I love ?”

“Cooper, honey. We are proud of you. We just feel that there are things you could be doin’ at home, closer to the family.”

“Like running for mayor.”

“Well, if you’d rather help with the ranch and try somethin’ else, I’m sure your father would—”

“You want to know why I don’t come home? Why I don’t text as often anymore? It’s because you’re refusing to see my side of things. I’m an adult with a career that makes me happy. I have friends who I care about. And a woman I care about who sees me and cares for me exactly as I am. The more I have to have these conversations—the more I have to battle you and Dad—the less I even want to participate.”

“I’m not sure what to say, sweetie. Your father’s been pushing the issue a lot recently.”

Cooper scoffed. “Yeah, I can tell. Look, Ma, if you don’t want to stand up to him, that’s fine—I get it. But at the very least, tell me you understand what I’m saying. This is gettin’ to be ridiculous.”

Quietly, she said, “Yes, I understand. I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you feel like I don’t love you as you are. That was never my intention. ”

He rolled his shoulders. “I know. I want to want to come home, but with everything that’s been going on the last few months, I’ve been less and less interested. I miss the girls and you. And even Dad and Dyl sometimes. I want to feel like I have a place here when I visit without feeling like it comes with strings. I know me leaving was what changed everything so much, but I’d like to fix that without havin’ to give up all the things that I love.”

His mother nodded. “I understand. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that—”

She was cut off by the back door slamming open. His father came in, grabbing a hat off a hook and searching the room. “Suze, I forgot…” He trailed off when he saw Cooper and his mother at the table.

“Surprised you’re still here.”

Cooper clenched his jaw. “‘Til tomorrow. I’d like to talk to you. Just for a minute or two.”

Cooper’s mother was already sliding out of the nook, excusing herself and heading toward the kitchen. He wished she would go to bat for him against his father, but Cooper knew this was his fight.

At least she’d said that she understood.

“Make it quick. Dyl’s waitin’ in the truck,” his father said gruffly, not moving any closer.

“I’d love to help you find a candidate you trust for mayor. But that person isn’t me. This town hasn’t been mine for a long time. ”

His father’s frown lines, already strong from his daily work in the sun, deepened at Cooper’s words. “One day I hope you understand how much I sacrificed to give you the life y’all got. I spent more time workin’ construction jobs than you could ever know, just to make sure we had a beautiful place to raise our beautiful family. But with that comes obligations. As much work as I’ve put into this community, it’s put just as much back into our lives. We’d be nowhere without the people of this town. It’s why I’ve worked so hard to keep this place workin’ the way it does.”

“Dad, I appreciate everything you did for us. I really do. And I see all that you’ve done for this town. But I’ve built a life elsewhere. I’m not a puppet on a string you can yank back to do your bidding. I’m sorry I’m such a disappointment to you, but just like Dylan and the girls are all doin’ what they love, I’m doin’ what I love.”

His father shook his head, pushing his straw hat farther down on his head.

“I want to be able to come home and see y’all. I don’t want to have to be rushed out here because of a lie. But until you understand that I need football, Charleston, this charity, Maya, all of it in my life, I don’t see myself wantin’ to visit.”

“Then go.” His father turned, his boots loud on the floor of the house. The door slammed, and Cooper watched the truck disappear once more. His mother moved around in the kitchen, seemingly trying to give him space to think .

Cooper sat there for what felt like hours but was probably only a half an hour. The grass kept swaying in the breeze. Trees rustled together, dancing in the distance, and the sun moved higher overhead. He knew if he looked farther, the current of the Tennessee River, the far boundary of the ranch, would be as strong as ever.

Life went on.

And Cooper hoped that even if he never got his father’s approval, life would go on.