Loveless

Book One

Prologue

You ever smell something that makes you remember a person? A place? A time. A smell that rips you into a memory that nearly brings you to your knees?
Cuz that's the thing about memories. The good ones tend to hurt more in the end.
There was a time in my life when I would revel in the reminders. The smells. The things I done and said.
Years later though? If I could do it all over again, I'd duck my head and run the other way if I knew what I know now. If I could save myself.
If I could save us both.
That's the funny thing about life though. You regret what you don't do, and never talk about the regret for what you did do.
Sometimes I think I have it figured out. When it all went sideways.
I'll have to take you back though. To the beginning. Perhaps not the start at all though, perhaps it was always the end.

CHAPTER 1
Kaycee

19 years old.

I remember when I was eight and I wanted to go with momma to her trips for work. Sure livin on a ranch was cool, but never seein the outside world was a bummer. I cried for a week when daddy told me I had to stay here with Callan.

You see I love Callan, he's my brother and though he's 2 years older he's always been my best friend. There wasn't much I couldn't talk to him about. Like me he was mad we got left behind by our parents who have been off to many great places.

We often wondered if we were ever really a part of the plan. Lookin back now, I guess you could say the answer is no.

I grew up going to church on Sundays. The Lord is my savior. I think for most of my life I've always known that much. Even on my darkest days and trust me there were plenty of those. It's the reason I'm grateful I had Callan. He never left me alone during the tryin times. Even when I gave him a reason too.

I have my parents to thank for being courteous enough to sign the ranch over to me before they split on us. For being firm believers in the lord they sure were lost. I can't blame them though. The blame lays on me for lettin the devil in to our home, into our lives.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe that it's been four years time that he's left us and the mess he dragged along with him.

I remember when I was a girl Pastor Todd said a man is no better than the choices he makes. That should have been a sign from God himself. Yet another sign I came to ignore.

Y'all want to know what the devil is like? I barely lived to tell the tale.

CHAPTER 2
Kaycee

14 years old

It was the summer I turned fourteen and it was a hot one. School had let out some weeks ago now. I was sittin at the pond dippin my feet in beside Cal.

"Say, you feel like ridin?" He asks cocking his head to the side. He knew I was down in the dumps because our parents were out who knew where for work.

"Sure." I sighed standin up and slippin my sandals back on.

The walk back to our ranch took us a good twenty minutes and it was done in silence. Saddlin up the horses we rode off towards the fields. Our land was never ending it seemed. Everywhere we went, was ours. Our daddy worked his entire life for this place.