A Wild Raven

Chapter 2

Coal's POV

The new girl was pretty. I'd give her that.

But everything else? Hmm... she seemed a little slow, not hearing my mother speak, and going through my stuff in the cabin... maybe she has some mental handicaps.

I'm annoyed, to be honest. Yet again, Uncle Grey and Aunt Jean were convincing my mom and dad to have strangers on the Ranch.

I was not a big fan of it.

I helped take off the saddle and bridle and I set Raven with hosing Galvin down, giving him a carrot and getting to know him. I needed her out of the house so I could talk to my mother.

I come in through the side of the homestead, straight into the kitchen. Before I can take off my boots, my mom rushes over and gives me a big hug, surprised to see me come into the kitchen.

All the family did was talk about how much they missed Willem, Jonas and River, my three sons.

My ex-wife Cat took them, but we made an agreement that I did not discuss with anyone because it was personal. And I didn't want anyone possibly swaying the outcome.

I learned a long time ago that Cat was self-centered, but when she was pregnant, even though it was an accident, I wanted my son – and she wanted a husband.

It wasn't surprising to me that we ended up divorced, but I was determined to end up with my sons, who adored me just as much as I adored them, so Cat and I negotiated. Well... rather, the narcissistic bitch laid out her terms.

She would have the boys grow up in her home city, but when they reached high school age, they'd come to me.

Cat always expressed her disdain for teenage boys and their moods through puberty, so she wanted to palm them off to me for that period.

Originally, it was Cat's plan, I only agreed because there was a benefit to me.

They'd turn 18 with me, and then they could make a decision if they wanted to live on the Ranch or preferred their mother's lifestyle. I already knew the answer to that.

Even with the plan in place, it was painful talking about my sons.

And everyone in the family wanted to talk to me about the injustice of having my sons ripped away.

Still, I had the plan in writing, on paper, drafted by Cat, approved by my own lawyers, who agreed, if I could wait until they were in high school, I'd have a better chance at the end of the day in convincing them to stay with me.

Cat got what she wanted, three cute boys to show off around the city. She had enough money to provide for them and I gave them as much fatherly instruction as I could before they were gone.

Now I just had to wait a year, and Willem would be sent my way when he turned 12.

I had already made this wooden cabin as a gift for him – it was never for me.

My mind swims with all this now as my mom pulls me toward the kitchen island, filled with all the food she is preparing with Iza, who is sulking as she peels potatoes.

No one else is in the kitchen for the moment, so I just speak straight to my mother right now, "We don't need anymore strangers on the Ranch."

"Please, Coal, you know your father and I don't mind it," she keeps her eyes down, lying to me, but protecting her sister's heart.

I add anyway, "This girl is going to be more of a nuisance than a help to me."

"Raven is very nice," my mother defends her vehemently, suddenly looking up with a fire in her gaze, "Now tell me how the ride went with Timothy –"