"A coup?"
"You go into my office, change things around . . ." He waved his arms wildly. "Get into my business accounts, move my money-"
"Oh, you mean how I modernized your banking, updated your software, and found a way to save the ranch seven hundred dollars a month? That's the 'coup' you're talking about?"
Duke ran right over that speed bump of information. "You had no right!"
"Vivi asked for my help. She's the one who gave me access to your accounts."
"You had no right! Coming in when I was down and out, throwing your swagger around. I know you're trying to show me up. You don't fool me for a minute."
In the back of his mind Ridge had been holding on to a thin rope of hope that Duke's illness would lead to some kind of reconciliation. Okay, maybe not a reconciliation, since they'd never been close in the first place, but at least an understanding so they could hold a conversation without constantly butting heads.
Dream the hell on.
His relationship with his father was what it was. Things were never going to change. All the wishing in the world wouldn't alter the facts.
"You're welcome," he said.
His father scowled. "What the hell for?"
"Staying behind, looking after the ranch for two weeks when I should have been in China taking care of my business."
"Nobody asked you." Duke hardened his chin, his voice going petulant as a five-year-old kid told he had to wear galoshes.
"Yeah, yeah they did. Vivi, Ranger, Remington, Rhett. They all asked me to stay. So I did."
"I didn't ask you."
"God no. Heaven forbid Duke Lockhart ever asked anyone for help."
"Goes to show you can count on me for something."
"Pigheaded? Yes. In that regard, you're as predictable as the sun comin' up in the east," Ridge drawled.
"I need a drink," Duke said. "Where'd you put the hooch you took out of my office?"
"Doctor said you need to lay off the liquor. Vivi's swept it from the house."
"Goddammitall." Duke sulked, his eyes turning dark and sullen.
"Look," Ridge said. "I'm sorry you're pissed off about the changes, but you're just going to have to adjust."
They exchanged a hard look. Duke's face razor-edged with anger.
"No whiskey at all?"
"Nope."
"When are you leaving?"
"As soon as Vivi and Ranger get here."
"For good?" Duke asked in a fisticuffs voice, but underneath the pugilism whispered a tremor of fear.
They were still standing in the doorway. Ridge outside. Duke in. Staring each other down.
"You should go to bed," Ridge said.
"And you should butt out."
"If you won't go to bed, at least sit down."
"Don't tell me what to do," Duke grunted, but backed up and sat down at the kitchen table.
"Want some water?" Ridge asked, coming into the house, pulling the sliding glass door closed behind him.
"I want some whiskey."
"Sorry, can't always get what you want."
"Throwin' that back in my face?"
"You told it to me when I was three and begging for my mama," Ridge said.
"She wasn't comin' back."
"I was three, you hard-ass." Ridge plunked down at the table across from him.
"I didn't tell her to leave you on my doorstep and run her car into a brick wall."
"You don't think you had a hand in it?"
"I couldn't marry her." Duke's voice softened. "I was already married to Sabrina."
"You might have figured out she was having a rough time hanging on and stepped in to help."
"I gave her money. What else was I supposed to do?"
Every bone in Ridge's body solidified into stone. A wrecking ball couldn't have knocked him down. He was that hard inside.
"She was pretty." Duke's voice softened, and Ridge could have sworn he heard traces of regret, but maybe that was wishful thinking. "And she smelled so good."
"Yes, she did."
"She'd be proud of you."
"I imagine she would."
They sat like boxers, eyeing each other from their corners after a tough round. Waiting for the bell to ring so they could flay each other again.
"So," Duke said. "You're flying away tonight."
"I am."
"Go on then." Duke flipped his hand. "No need to wait on Vivi and Ranger."
"I'm not leaving you alone."
"There's a housekeeper. She can look after me."
"It's not her job."