CHAPTER 65

I watch Alvin out of the corner of my eye and once he's out of earshot I'll start talking to the real power on the ranch.

"So how much does she owe," I ask, getting an odd look," I overheard and your son has some interesting ideas about her fixing her debt."

"Well I think she'd be good for the boy, knock him around a bit but if she doesn't come up with the money by week's end she's up shit creek without a paddle," Mr. Burke tells me quietly.

"Still doesn't answer my question," I state with a smirk.

We go over her debt and I actually smirk, it's really a bit of money but then again I have a family that has money. Correction, Gwen and I have family but I need her to understand that and hopefully accept it first. Mr. Burke decides to knock on the door after a few minutes and Gwen answers quietly addressing Mr. Burke before he steps back and I see Gwen has that tearful and confused look on her face.

"Ummm, Guy could you come in for a second," Gwen asks very sheepishly.

I pass Mr. Burke and once I'm inside I can see things aren't that great in the little camper, clothes are all basically the same durable yet inexpensive and there isn't a wide range of food selection in the pantries by what I'm seeing since most are open. I let her close the door after me before I'm addressed with some very scared authority.

"Take off your coat and shirt now," Gwen says and I'm a bit surprised at the request.

"Gwen I'm not trying to scam you or hurt you in any way," I state and she stomps her foot hard on the floor.

"Take off your shirt and turn around now," Gwen demands with a hard eyed stare.

I take my leather jacket off and then my shirt before turning to my back to Gwen confused. I can hear her mumbling to herself before I feel fingertips on my back in different spots. I have no clue what is going on when I hear Gwen gasp and back up from me.

"What, what is it," I'm confused, asking desperately.

"Why would she do that to me, why would Tessa say you were dead," Gwen asks and I have the answer.

I explain Tessa's history to Gwen; I tell her what our parents told me concerning her inability to have a child of her own with our uncle. I told her what Mom told me about when I got sick and she was to watch Gwen. I show her the police report and let her think for a moment before she hardens up again.

"Why did they stop looking? Why didn't they come for me," Gwen asks and I start to feel her point on the matter.

"Our Father looked for two years; he was arrested in Canada for tracking down her family members and harassing them. Gwen they lost hope, they were tired and scared. Dad cut his family off from his life, Mom drank to the point I noticed as a child. They divorced because Dad wouldn't let me suffer through Mom's guilt for trusting Tessa," I explain, it's not much but it's something.

"So they divorced but they're alive," Gwen asks and I nod.

"What is the deal with poking my back and having me take my shirt off," I ask, still confused.

"Mom had you sleep without a shirt on some nights when it was hot in the summer and we kinda shared a bed," Gwen informs me a little embarrassed.

"No Mom said you kept sneaking into my room but that doesn't explain my back and you poking me," I state wanting an answer.

"I remember every big mole you have, okay. I memorized them when you'd sleep on your side and I'd count them in the same order till I fell asleep," Gwen tells me and I snicker a little.

"We remember the goofiest things," I state and she finally laughs with me.

The mood finally lightens up and I get my shirt and jacket back on before handing her the three hundred for the lessons. That really confuses her and I don't want to explain just yet.

"Gwen I know you love Bandit but I know you don't like this place and some of the people a lot less," I say, getting a light nod," I want you to come back with me when I go home. Mom and Dad will be there, I know Mom will fly up from Texas and Dad lives there with me."

"I can't, I'm in debt here. I'm really in a bad way little brother, that sounds so weird, but I'm kinda screwed," Gwen states a little sad.

I smirk before taking out my phone and I shoot a lengthy text message to Mr. Delauter and Loretta stating the situation and what I need to get everything. Loretta wants to fly to Wyoming but I convince her that Washington will be better so we don't overwhelm Gwen while Mr. Delauter states that he'll have a local bank manager meet me tomorrow morning with everything I'll need to settle things up for Gwen. I send a second text message to the Old Man telling him I'll need a driver who can tow large animals. The reply I get is a confused and interesting one to say the least but all I ask for is the experienced driver and promise to get the vehicle myself. The whole time Gwen is quietly staring at the copy I have of our photo when I note the second one in her hand, an original.

"Holy shit where did you get that," I asked, putting my phone away.

"Aunt Tessa, when I confronted her about remembering my parents and stopped calling her Mom it hurt her a lot but she never got on me for it. She showed me some pictures and when she passed I kept them but sold most of her stuff," Gwen explains to me plainly.

I don't want to leave Gwen but I tell her that by the week's end if she is ready she can leave this whole situation behind her and move on to her real family. She's nervous and doesn't fully understand what we're capable of as a family yet but she says she'd love to if she can get away. I see doubts but after a tight hug I call Connie and ask for a pick up walking off the property. I say nothing all the way back to the hotel and finally I can try to decompress. I left Gwen my number and explained what I'm doing tomorrow to Connie who simply listens and finally she starts to undress me. I'm in no mood to have sex but she's not pressing me for anything physical. We get down to our underwear and she holds me as I lie in bed before passing blissfully into sleep.