Hell's Coming with Me

Unraveling Cont'd Part 2

Author's Note: As I told someone who reached out to me for some help on writing, write when it's flowing. Otherwise, you try to force it and you mess everything up. Sorry for the delay - I know it's been about 10 days since the last update. Work has been a mess - I'm picking up over 10 hours of OT a week, and mentally I haven't been the best. But I'm back! I'm going to try to give a bit of a break between Season 1 and Season 2. We are officially at the end of Season 1. . .I might cry! And this is a massive project for me. Over 70k words for season one! 

Don't forget season 5 starts in November! I will work on Season 2 and I'm trying to get in the mindset for NANOWRIMO. I have hopes this year!

Unraveling Cont'd Part 2

I found out over breakfast that Jamie wasn't upholding his duties as attorney to Daddy and the ranch. When Daddy called him about the Rip situation, Jamie didn't answer.

"When's the last time you saw your brother, Lily?" Daddy asked, sipping at his coffee. I stopped chewing my pineapple for a moment.

"I think it's been close to a week?" I thought back, brow furrowed. Then I nodded. "Yeah, since the Stockman's dinner. I only know he was home, because I heard you talking to him."

"God dammit!" Daddy cursed, getting up from the table. "Finish eating, honey. I'm going to call the Governor."

"Sorry, Daddy," I said on behalf of our family member. Daddy just nodded and kissed the top of my head before walking down the hall to this office. I sighed and sank back into my chair.

I leaned back in my chair and rested my head on the back of the chair, looking at the ceiling. I felt bad for Jamie in a way. This was his goal and dream. I doubted he wanted Daddy calling the shots. But he also had to remember where he came from. The ties to our family and how blood prevailed over all. Daddy's connections put him in his seat.

I sighed, and set my fork down, appetite gone. Another stressful day for the family drama to ensue. At least Beth wasn't here this morning to ruin another family meal with some nonsense. I loved my sister, but she seemed particularly vindicative about ruining every family meal.

I took my plate and Daddy's into the kitchen where I started to clean the plates. Gator came in and protested, taking the job over. I laughed and gave Gator back his duties before going upstairs. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do today. It was supposed to be warmer for a little while longer. I figured it was best to enjoy what was left of the fall days.

I decided to get dressed into more casual clothing and then go up to the hot springs. I took a book and my phone, before wandering down to the barn to saddle a horse for the journey.

People paid a lot of money to experience what we had at our disposal right on our ranch. We had hundreds of thousands of acres – equipped with our own healing hot springs.

"Where are you going?" Rip asked, coming into the barn. I looked at him with a smirk.

"Hot springs." I replied. He nodded his head.

"In case your daddy asks," Rip raised his hands in a placating manner. I just rolled my eyes and told him if Ryan got done early to send him up to the springs. Rip grinned and promised he would.

It took about an hour to reach the hot springs, but when I did, it was wondrous. It almost seemed like time was frozen – suspended in this corner of the ranch. Moss grew on the rocks and steam rose from the hot pools of water.

I stripped my clothes, clad only in a bathing suit, before I grabbed my book and phone and sank into the hot water. I let out a sigh of relief as I felt the warmth permeate my pores. My body relaxed in places I had no idea were this tense. I hit my playlist on my phone and put my head back on a rock. I drifted.