Free Western Ties: Compass Brothers, Book 4 by Mari Carr & Jayne Rylon Page B

mean.”
    He was confused by the comment and the sudden sadness in her tone, but he dismissed it when her fingers began tracing the pattern again. “I like this the best.”
    “Which part?”
    Her finger drew a W on his back. He understood what had caught her interest. “The way Snake designed the W. Is it made up of dandelions?”
    He swallowed heavily. “Yeah.”
    He shifted before she could look too closely at the rest of the tattoo. He wasn’t ready for her to study all the details. If so, she’d realize there was a rose growing out of the ranch brand. That part of the tattoo had been added at the last minute—a silly whim he thought he’d regret later. As the years passed, the rose continued to be his favorite part of the whole tat.  
    He kissed her, cutting off any more conversation about his tattoo. She welcomed his embrace, wrapping her hands around his waist.
    He pulled away. “I’m glad you like it. It’s pretty big. More than a few women turn their nose up at it.”
    “I think it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
    He grinned and kissed her again, a short, hard press of his lips against hers. Then he twisted her until they faced the ocean together, enveloping her in his arms.
    They were silent for several minutes as they studied the white caps and listened to the mighty roar of the sea.
    “I can see why you’ve chosen this life, Sawyer. There’s something very hypnotic about it all, isn’t there? The constant, soothing rhythm of the waves, the endless horizon, the gentle way the water and sand work together to massage your feet. It’s incredible.”
    He nodded. It was, but it wasn’t enough.  
    “I’m leaving the Coast Guard.” He wasn’t sure why he’d blurted it out like that. Though his decision had been ninety-five percent made, he hadn’t taken that final leap to say aloud, I’m going home , to anyone.
    Leah took his hand in hers, giving him a sad smile. “I’m not surprised. I mean all your other brothers have done the same. I’m really sorry about your dad, Sawyer.”
    Her comment caught him off-guard. “JD?”
    Leah tilted her head, confused. “About his cancer. I can’t imagine Compton Pass without him.”
    Sawyer stared at her, trying to process what she was saying. Cancer? JD? “What the fuck are you talking about?”
    He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, so angry, but pieces fell together, adding up to something he simply couldn’t—wouldn’t—believe.  
    Leah paled, dropping his hand. “Oh God. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
    “Knew what?”
    She bit her lip, shaking her head slightly. “I shouldn’t be the one to say—”
    “God dammit, Leah. Tell me.”
    Tears formed in her eyes, and he briefly wondered if he’d frightened her. When she spoke again, he understood what was driving the tears. “JD has pancreatic cancer. He’s dying.”
    “No.” He shook his head. “That’s not possible. There’s no way Sam would have kept that from me. You must’ve heard wrong.”
    Leah didn’t respond. Clearly she wouldn’t criticize his brother for doing exactly that. Sawyer recalled Sam’s phone call last night. There’d been something in his voice. He’d thought there was a complication with Silas. Now…
    “How long have you known?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe a month. Or actually, more than that.”
    Sawyer’s head exploded. “Are you kidding me?” He ran his hand through his hair, trying to understand. He pulled his cell out of his pocket. “I need to call Sam.”
    Leah nodded, but didn’t say more.  
    Sawyer clenched his fist when he heard his brother’s casual answer. “Hey bro.”
    “Sam.” He didn’t bother to hide the coldness in his tone. If Leah were telling the truth…
    “What’s up, man? Didn’t expect to hear from you this early. Not since you were so busy.”
    “Yeah, that’s me. The brother too fucking busy to come back to Wyoming.”
    There was a brief moment of silence on the other end before Sam