“I did show her, and she chose someone else.”

He nods. “I guess she wasn’t the one then.”

What the fuck does that mean? Of course, she’s the one. “Yeah, well, I guess I just didn’t know until it was too late.”

He casts his line and exhales. “A man always knows. It’s a matter of being smart enough to act on it.”

I don’t say anything to that. I’ve known for a long time that Grace is the one, but I was too stubborn to change. I liked our arrangement. It worked for me. We’d have dinner, go out dancing, have mind-blowing sex, and then go on our way. I didn’t have to answer to her and she didn’t need to tell me what she was doing.

“Why are you always so wise and vague at the same time?” I grumble. “It’s really annoying.”

Dad shrugs and turns to Wyatt. “How’s my daughter-in-law doin’?”

“I’m doing great, Pop. Work is good, I’m still debating going in with Cooper and becomin’ part owner.”

My hand clenches the rod as he says his name. Right now, he could be at her house. I have no idea what they’re talking about or if he’s convinced her that he’s the better choice. I’m stuck here, trying to keep myself from going back over there.

She can say that she didn’t feel the love between us this morning, but she’s lying. I know I’m not perfect, but I’m not playing around anymore. I didn’t want to go there last night, but because she needed me, I did. Never did I think we’d have sex, but I couldn’t resist her.

The way she moaned my name. The sounds she made and how she nestled against me while she slept. It was everything I could do to keep from ripping her clothes off in the middle of the night. Now, all I can think about is that she’s with Cooper.

“I didn’t ask about you, I asked about Angie,” he retorts.

Wyatt scoffs, and I choke back my laughter. “She’s doin’ all right. It’s different this pregnancy than the last.”

“And you both are talkin’?” My father looks at the hill, which is his subtle way of remembering the baby they lost last year.

“Faith is always somethin’ we talk about.”

“And when am I going to get another grandbaby from you, Zachary?”

Sometimes being the only one not married has its perks, like now. Though, I got my fair share of flak for not being married with kids. When I hit forty, he gave up completely and let it go.

Zach grumbles and casts his line. “Oh, look, a fish!”

“Here fishy, fishy, fishy!” Wyatt calls.

All of us turn to look at him as if he’s lost his fucking mind. “What the hell?” I ask.

“What? It’s my and Angie’s thing. You had to be there.”

“Are you drunk?” Zach questions.

He shakes his head. “Why don’t we drink when we do this?”

Dad clears his throat. “Because when you three drink someone gets a damn black eye and I end up listenin’ to your mama for two hours about corralling you idiots.”

He has a point. “Still, it would make this a little more fun. We could make a drinking game out of it.”

“Yes!” Wyatt agrees.

My father starts to sway a little, and I grab his arm. “You all right, old man?”

He yanks his arm away. “I’m fine. Focus on fishing and maybe we’ll actually catch something.”

I go back to my line after casting a look at both my brothers. He suffered a stroke a few years back, which is what caused Zach to stay after his injury and run the ranch. I debate questioning him, but think better of it. He does not do well with us worrying about him.

At all.

“I’m getting the boys quads,” Zach pipes up.

“Oh, that’s a great idea. We never got in trouble on ours.” Wyatt adds.

Dad shakes his head and starts to pull in his line. “I got something.” Like the lifelong fisherman he is, he reels the trout in with finesse.

I still haven’t caught anything.

I hate fishing.

He walks out to the edge of the dock and puts it in his bucket. My brothers and I turn back to our conversation and joke about the lack of sex Wyatt must be having. Angie has been sicker than usual and will barely let him near her. I swear her child has turned her into the devil. She threw something at my head when I stopped by a few days ago, and all I did was say she looked pretty.

She told me I was a liar and to get out of her house.

“She’s crazy!” Wyatt complains. “Presley came over yesterday and told me to call a priest to come extract the demon from her.”

“Pres said she’s never seen her so miserable.”

“I don’t know what to do with her,” he admits. “I love her, but I don’t like her much right now.”

“She’s scared,” I tell him. “She went through hell the last time she was pregnant. The last thing she wants is to be happy.”

“When did you become all in-tune with women and their thoughts?” Zach looks over with a smirk.

“It’s not rocket science! I get fear. Fear can make you do some stupid shit.”

Wyatt smiles. “Like letting the girl you love date someone else?”

“Yes, asshole. Like that.”

“Keep talking like that and Dad will have your ass,” Zach warns.

Where is he? He usually can’t get back here quick enough so he has a chance at winning. “Dad, I could use some backup.”

“Pop?” Zach calls, but he doesn’t respond.

I look over by the buckets, but he isn’t there. I start scanning the shoreline, trying to see where he went, but when I find him, adrenaline rushes through my veins. I drop my rod and rush toward him. “Dad!”

My brothers are on my heels as we rush to where he’s lying on the ground. “Dad!” I call again, but he doesn’t respond. “Call 911!” I scream to Wyatt who already has his phone out.

I roll him onto his back and check for a pulse. “Trent?” Zach asks as I search for any sign of life.

“He’s not breathing, I’m starting CPR. Call Mom!”

I push on his chest and blow air in his mouth. Wyatt and Zach get the Gator out of the way for the emergency crews on their way, and I keep going. I check for a pulse and still can’t find it. I don’t know how long it will take, but I don’t relent.