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Chapter 168 - Spending Time with Family
Everyone closest to Dante had gathered at his house, leaving behind any obligations. No one worried about their commitments at the ranch or managing businesses.
This day was special for the Dutton family; no one wanted to ruin it.
"I thought you wouldn't come, old friend. Is that a gift you're holding?" John questioned Emmett Walsh as he arrived with his wife, carrying a large present in his arms.
Emmett set the gift aside with the others and said, "I wouldn't miss this gathering, not after hearing that your son had returned."
Susie approached, holding a large tray of food, and replied, "Thank you for your gift. Welcome."
"It's not much. I hope you like it now that you're thinking about starting a family." For the first time, Emmett seemed a bit concerned.
Everyone who had arrived earlier was also surprised. Rip, who seemed to have a more stable relationship with Beth, asked, "Is that a shotgun?"
"Are you an idiot, or just pretending to be one?" Emmett stared at Rip, who was simply joking.
Shortly after, Dante arrived carrying another tray of food, but this time, it was raw meat to be placed on the grill.
Seeing Dante with the meat, Emmett stood up and said, "I'll take care of that. Go sit down."
"Are you sure?" Dante raised an eyebrow, doubting this dramatic companion.
Emmett touched his hat, took it off, and said, "Nephew, I've made more sausages and barbecues than the whole state of Texas. Trust me, this is nothing."
"Then the food is in your hands."
"Of course, just relax."
Everyone was cheerful, though most of them were pretending.
The truth was, they were worried that things could be ruined by external enemies who dedicated their lives to trying to take Montana.
Dante sat next to Susie, took one of her reserved hands, and she responded with a gentle squeeze. They had both accepted this complicated relationship for reasons that were more than obvious.
The attack they had suffered was just one of many reminders that they were a target—many wanted what they had. These lands, which had belonged to the family for generations, were like a curse they had to bear.
Some understood it, while others, like Beth, were just here to support their father.
Dante was here to protect his family. He didn't care where he was, he was only interested in maintaining the luxuries that surrounded him.
He wasn't a hypocrite; he had always made his love for his family clear.
"Well, I just want to say a few words, and those are: thank you for still being here. You are all my dearest ones—close friends, family, sons and daughters, daughters-in-law." John stood up to give a toast.
Dante smiled. Yes, this was his family. There were doubts in his conscience, but those were just questions with answers he pondered when he wondered if he had made a mistake.
"You all matter to me. I wish you the best, and never forget that I'll always be here to listen to you." John said before lowering his glass and taking a sip of wine.
Everyone responded to the toast, and Emmett, in particular, told John, "You have a great family. You've done well."
"I doubt that. It could have been better, but they are strong." John meant that, no matter if he was there for them or not, all of his children were strong and independent.
Lee, looking at Dante, asked, "Do you plan on leaving again?"
"Not for a while. I'll help out at the ranch until winter ends," Dante said, expressing his desire to make the most of his time at the ranch.
"Well, there are still things I need to teach you."
"Yes, you're right about that."
Across the table, Kayce asked, "Are you sure you're a good teacher?"
"Well, that's for the student to decide," Lee replied. He just wanted his siblings to love and understand what working on this ranch truly meant.
A feeling, a family legacy filled with hardship.
Those who traveled here to claim these lands should be remembered—they were the ones who had made this place special.
"Don't get sentimental, you'll scare the new family members," Jamie said, glancing at Kayce's wife and Susie, who were just beginning to bond with the family.