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way. The few times he had protested had gone just like this. With Landon plowing over whatever Reece had to say. Topping it with what he had to say. With what he wanted.
    Landon had taken over Sheridan Millworks when Reece was a kid. He’d taken it from a barely surviving business and turned it into the most
     profitable company in the area. The mill manufactured a myriad of wood products such as doors, trim, flooring and
     cabinets. It supplied retailers nationwide. It also employed more than any other single business in town. In fact, it employed more than
     several of the other bigger businesses combined. He had a vision of the business staying in the family.
    Reece understood why he’d want that. He really did. But the problem was that none of his kids wanted it. And that caused an obvious wrench in his plans.
    His oldest sister Amanda had n o business sense whatsoever. Landon hadn’t fought her too badly when she’d gone to school and studied journalism . That had probably been for the best because she ’d got ten married and had Reece’s nieces, one after the other before she ever actually started working.
    And then there was Chelsey. She was working on a degree in art history. This was just about enough to give their dad a coronary. He had tried to insist that if she was going to get a degree in a worthless field that she should at least go into graphic design. But Chelsey hadn’t let him steamroll her.
    Reece had no intention of being steamrolled, either.
    So w ith both of his sisters ou t of the running for inheriting the mill , the whole thing had defaulted to him. Only he didn’t want it either. He had never wanted it o r anything else it entailed. Landon wanted Reece to follow in his footsteps. Apparently that started with high school football, followed by getting his degree from Northwestern and ending with Reece taking over Sheridan Millworks someday.
    “Reece. You need to understand what I am giving you. It’s a very profitable future.
     You are going to walk right into it. No starting at some bottom level job. I’ve worked
     hard over the years to make this business into something of a legacy for you.” He
     stared at Reece . Waiting, probably, for him to finally ‘get it’. “You have no idea how lucky you are. How fortunate. Most people
     would do anythi ng for an opportunity like this! When I was your age, this would ’ve been like a dream come true! ”
    “I’m not you,” Reece pointed out. “I don’ t want the same things you want! ”
    Landon stared off, out through the glass doors for a minute. His body sagged w hen he finally turned back to Reece . “So where are you planning on going to college? Here in Sheridan? The business program here is mediocre, at best, but I guess it will have to do.”
    “Are you kidding me? Have you listened to anything I’ve said?” Reece shook his head .
    He continued as if Reece hadn’t spoken . “Actually, you could take care of a few electives here. We can find out which ones
     will transfer. Then we can try Northwestern again next year. ”
    “No!” Reece threw his hands up in frustration.  “Forget it. Maybe it’ll finally sink in when I get my degree in forestry. Because that? That’s what I want to do. Not that you care. Not that you’ve
     ever bothered to ask. But at least now you know.”
    Landon clenched and unclenched his jaw before finally saying, “Well then, I hope you have
     a lot of money saved. If that’s the line of work you want to go into, you’re on your
     own. Good luck covering your own tuition.”
    He left then.
    Reece just stood there, furiously staring after him. W ondering if maybe, at least, football had been forgotten.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
    “That kid is just too funny,” Emma said . She was struggling to pull a notebook out of her already overflowing locker. How she had managed to accumulate so