Page 2 of Loving Justice
Sam lit the cigar and closed his eyes a moment as if he were enjoying his last smoke. “My daughters hate cigars, but I deserve a little fun at my age. Anyway, my apologies. Death changes everything. When my wife passed, I didn't know how I’d manage daily life, let alone raising five daughters. Friends suggested remarrying for their sake, but I couldn’t do it.” He glanced again at his late wife's portrait above the fireplace. “That’s irrelevant now. Kids don’t understand a parent's sacrifices—the worries, the mistakes.” He bowed his head briefly. “Now they despise me.”
“I don’t think they hate you, sir.” Jinx had seen the love and respect the sisters had for Sam. At his birthday party, they gathered around to celebrate the patriarch.
“I’ve only wanted the best for them.”
“Of course.”
“I don’t think we’re close like we once were.” He snuffed out his cigar.
“My sister and I are close, but it’s not always peaches and sunshine. She thinks I don’t understand anything. Thinks I was born in the Stone Age. I just know what teen boys are thinking.”
Sam spun back, some of the tension gone from his features. “I remember those days. Hell, we’re still in those days. I should have told them from the beginning that boys have cooties.” His gaze lowered to the photos for a split second. “I often wonder what life would have been like had my wife lived. When a parent takes on both roles, sometimes we tend to overcompensate.” He leaned back in the chair, picked up his pen, and clicked it repeatedly. “I made a promise to their mother that if anything happened, I’d make sure our daughters become something. Made sure they fully realized their potential.”
“They’re good, strong women. You've done a fantastic job. We all make mistakes in life, and we learn from them,” Feeling like he’d seen enough of the images, Jinx swiped up the photos and shoved them back into the envelope.
“You sound like a cowboy who’s mature for his age. What mistakes have you possibly made in such a short life?” Sam dropped his pen and clasped his hands.
“Well, sir, just as I told you when you hired me, I served some time in the county jail. I had my days of fighting and drinking. They never served me well. My nose is to the grind now.”
A pensive moment passed and Sam narrowed his gaze. “Why aren’t you married, son?”
Jinx chuckled. “Guess that hasn’t been in the cards for me.”
“Wouldn’t life be easier? Have some help to raise your sister?”
“I don’t think there are a lot of women out there who want to take on a ranch hand’s hours combined with a feisty teenager.” Not that Jinx had been searching. He’d never played any games with any women, never made any false promises, and didn’t want to change his lifestyle to please anyone. He described himself as a simple, hardworking, salt-of-the-earth cowboy who thought a good time consisted of a football game and a beer, or two.
“Maybe you’re looking in all the wrong places.”
“Possibly.” Jinx couldn’t argue.
Sam snorted with a dramatic flair. “After my heart attack, I realized I wasn't invincible.” He grinned. “My ego was too big. Once upon a time, I was a lot like you, kid. Thought I held the world in the palm of my calloused hand. A good woman will sneak in and lead you to a better life. When a woman is pleased, she’ll treat you like a king.”
“Sounds like you know all about that, sir.”
“Used to.” He whistled through his teeth. “Boy, did I win the wife lottery?”
“From an outsider, you seem to have had a good life.”
“I’ve always hoped my girls would want similar things out of life. I decided to make changes on the ranch and with my daughters. They were upset when I insisted they marry or lose everything here. I wrote them out of my will. And if they want back in, they better find a spouse.”
Jinx cleared his throat uncomfortably. He supposed that went well. “It ain’t none of my business, but that’s more than a change. That's what I call setting off a bomb.”
“I guess maybe I didn’t feel like I had any other option. I had to do something drastic to get them to see Sagebrush Rose Ranch as a legacy, not a three-ring circus. I’ve dedicated every single day of my life to this land—to my family.” His expression soured. “They don’t realize hardship, not like we do, Jinx. We’ve hit rock bottom and come back up stronger.”
Jinx doubted Sam had hit the exact ‘rock bottom’ as he had. “I don’t want my sister to experience the same disappointment as I have. That’s why I’m busting my ass to give her a better life.”
“Fair enough. What bothers me is that Kent Downs is dangerous. Justice put herself at risk. Nothing will convince me that the bastard didn’t use her to get to me—to get to this land. She’s smarter than opening the door to a snake.”
“Like I said, we all make mistakes,” Jinx said with a shrug.
"A mistake?" Sam shook his head. "More like betrayal. I spoiled them, bought horses, got top trainers, and ensured they had everything. Yet, I feel I've failed them horribly."
Jinx didn’t know how honest he could be. Sam was the boss. He’d had a few bosses through the years who could only handle what they wanted to hear. “I’m not a father, at least not in the traditional sense of the word, but I’ve realized the hard way that nothing in the world will ever mean more to a child than being loved.”
Sam opened his mouth but snapped it shut. “I guess you’re right. I've never been the type to expose my feelings. I’ve always assumed my girls knew how much I love them.”
“You know what they say about assumptions.” Jinx swiped his palm down his whiskered jaw.