usatvline Chapter 123 James Dutton's younger brother, Jacob Dutton!
Chapter 123 James Dutton's younger brother, Jacob Dutton!
Chapter 123 James Dutton's younger brother, Jacob Dutton!
"Jingle bells—!"
The crisp sound of hammering echoed along the riverbank, a lively and bustling scene!
A dike is being built across the river. Although it's just a pile of mud and gravel, the sheer effort put in can be felt from a distance.
In the early morning, family members sit around the dining table.
"Hey, look how hard they're working!" Tom gestured towards the riverbank. "That's their job!"
His remarks failed to elicit any response; instead, an eerie silence fell over the dining table.
"Are they all mute?" Tom's gaze swept over the crowd.
"Tom, everyone has chores to do," Elsa looked up and glanced at him. "I still have to look after the cattle. By the way, when are they finally going to fix the barn?"
"You've asked the wrong person!" Tom raised his chin and pointed at his father, James.
James took a leisurely sip of his coffee. "Have Wade come find me."
The meaning is clear: the old man intends to hand over the affairs of the ranch and livestock to Wade.
Elsa nodded.
"You—are you really determined to be a cowboy? We're settled now, there's no need—"
"I love being a cowboy!" Elsa interrupted him rudely. "I just want to be free!"
Tom's brow furrowed as his words were abruptly cut off.
"When cowboys are exposed to the wind and sun, their skin gets rough very quickly, look at their mothers and aunts—"
"Oh? Tom, you have a problem with me?" Mother Margaret's lips curved into a gentle smile, but a chilling murderous intent instantly flashed in her eyes!
At the same time, another sharp, knife-like gaze pierced him.
A chill ran down Tom's spine, and he immediately backed down: "Elsa—you, you decide what to do!"
If I keep talking, I'm afraid I'll end up walking out sideways!
James glanced at his son and shook his head helplessly.
I was careless! This pit was dug so badly—
"Ahem! Um—I have a suggestion, would you all like to hear it?" Tom quickly changed the subject.
"Now that we're settling down here, why don't we bring Uncle Jacob and his family from Tennessee?"
The words fell silent as the table fell still.
Even James looked up, his gaze deep: "When did you start thinking about this?"
Tom shook his head: "Back when we sold those cows and came back with the gold coins, looking at this vast Paradise Valley, I felt like something was missing."
Elsa pressed, "What's missing?"
"Family," Tom's voice lowered, "family who you can completely entrust your back to!"
"Oh?" Elsa's eyes darted around, and she smiled slyly. "Then—can I entrust my back to you?"
Tom's lips curled into a smirk, then his face hardened: "No!"
Elsa's smile froze on her face.
"Your back," Tom drawled, with a hint of mockery, "is reserved for Ennis!"
"puff-
"Hahaha!"
Someone couldn't hold back any longer, and laughter instantly erupted throughout the entire dining table!
After the meal, James called Tom aside and left him alone.
"Was it really your intention to bring Jacob and his family over?"
James's question made Tom's heart skip a beat. What did he mean?
"What do you mean?" Tom really didn't understand.
James's sharp gaze was like a nail fixed on his face: "Do you need him to do the work, or do you genuinely want him to enjoy the good life?"
Tom frowned even deeper: "Is there a difference?"
"You keep talking about family," but family can be manipulated! James's words hit Tom like a ton of bricks.
He was jolted, staring at his father in disbelief: "You—you mean, my idea of sending Uncle Jacob—is to use him?"
"Isn't that right?"
"Why?!" Tom was completely dumbfounded, his mind filled with confusion. "Why would you think that?"
'
"Then tell me," James's gaze sharp as an eagle's, fixed intently on Tom, "where did the stuff in your car come from?"
So this is where I was waiting!
Tom's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't dare hesitate: "Bought it on the Texas black market!"
"Where's the money?" James pressed, his questions as sharp as a whip.
"I got it from the bandits!" Tom blurted out.
"How many?"
"a lot of!"
"Why didn't you tell your family?" James's gaze deepened.
"I was afraid you'd worry! I was afraid you'd be surprised! Or—damn it, I don't know how to say it!" Tom spoke rapidly, his answers incoherent, purely instinctive and unadorned.
"Is there something else you're hiding from me?" James pressed on relentlessly, giving him no time to breathe or think.
"No!" Tom said firmly.
It was already gone!
Just these two trivial matters!
James stared intently into his son's eyes, as if trying to pierce his soul.
After a moment, his eyes relaxed slightly, confirming that Tom wasn't lying, before he spoke calmly: "Send a telegram to your Uncle Jacob. Send him the money, and tell him to come by train. Tell him that he has everything he needs here, just bring his men."
In the distance, Wade's figure was walking towards them.
James gave Tom a deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Tom stood frozen in place.
"He actually—doubted me?" He gritted his teeth, his voice so low it sounded like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth.
Tom, his face full of anger, turned and rushed to his mother Margaret, who was busy working in the field.
"I just mentioned asking my uncle to come over, and James actually thought I was using him!" Tom's voice was full of anger.
Margaret straightened up, wiped the sweat from her brow, and calmly glanced at her son: "He did the right thing."
"What!" Tom could hardly believe his ears.
"What if someone suddenly suggested that John go and help him out," Margaret said, her shovel slamming into the ground, her tone turning icy, "and that person just happens to need someone to do the dirty work and take the blame—what would you think?"
"I'll fucking kill him!" Tom said without thinking, a flash of malice in his eyes.
"So," Margaret bent down again, her voice regaining its calm, "you have to thank James."
"But I'm Uncle Jacob's relative! How could I harm him?" Tom cried out in protest.
"Jacob is James's only younger brother!" Margaret's voice carried an undeniable weight.
She lowered her head and continued tending to the land, but sighed inwardly.
There were some things she didn't say.
When James was in prison, during those darkest and most difficult days, it was the Jacob family who helped him and his orphan.
James is giving his son a severe dressing down: Jacob must be treated with utmost respect, and no slight or exploitation will be tolerated!
Judging from his son's reaction, the scolding didn't seem to have the desired effect.
"Jacob is my uncle! He's my blood relative!"
Tom said those words and turned to leave.
Only after walking quite a distance did that stifling feeling suddenly transform into a moment of clarity, crashing down on his heart.
So that's what the old man was guarding against!
Is he afraid that I won't treat my only younger brother as family?
No wonder my mother said those things.
Shortly after the telegram was sent, a reply arrived.
Tom held the thin piece of paper and handed it to James with a strange expression.
The paper contained only one line: "Leave the money, don't leave. The doors of Tennessee are always open to you."
James's face instantly darkened, his knuckles turned white as he gripped the telegram, and his brows furrowed so tightly they looked like they could trap a fly!
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