A Million Dollar Bluff

eer, a world away from my polished life in Austin. But for Ryan, my fiancé, this

for Thanksgiving and finalize our wedding plans. My father, a Texas oilman through and through, was trying

med Carl, slurred, clapping my dad on the back. "A little

amed for attention, chimed in, shuffling a worn deck of cards

for a good-natured wager, especially after a few drinks. Ryan squeezed my hand, his

r, the fun

ce. My father sat slumped at the rickety patio table, his face pal

ndred thous

ing fund I' d given him for

th a shame so deep it made my own ches

houlder, her face a mask of distress. She did