He spat on the ground between us, a move so similar to my uncle’s that it cramped my stomach. But that had been the only real influence Ian had over the past few years. “You’re no sister of mine.”
I wished it was that simple for me. That I could sever every tie with a flick of a knife or a carelessly tossed-out word. But I couldn’t. I felt every tether as if it were made of the heaviest chain. It seemed like I’d never be rid of them. “Then I guess there’s nothing left to talk about.” I moved to step around him, but Ian mirrored the movement.
“When are you leaving?”
My heart rate picked up a fraction, but I did my best not to let the panic show. “I’m not.”
“That land isn’t yours.”
“The deed says otherwise.”
Ian’s hands fisted and flexed. “I’m the oldest in this family—”
“Actually, that would be Jacey.”
“A woman. I’m the leader. By rights, that land should fall to me.”
I rolled my eyes. Uncle Allen had clearly been hard at work, inundating Ian with his twisted thinking. The same mindset that meant Addie was never allowed to show her shoulders or knees. “I don’t know what to tell you. According to the courts, it belongs to me.”
“I don’t submit to those courts. Those laws mean nothing.”
A faint wave of nausea slid through me. It sounded so familiar—the kind of tirade our father used to go on. “If you live in this country, those laws apply to you.”
“Your mind’s been warped. You don’t remember where you come from. But you will.”
He was wrong. I remembered all too well. At times, it felt as if it were burned into my bones and I’d never be rid of it.
Ian smiled, but it had an ugliness to it that had me fighting a shiver. “You could always plead your case to come back into the fold. Signing the land over and submitting to whatever punishment Allen deems right for you would probably do the trick. You might even con Ben into marrying you since his wife died in childbirth.”
Nausea swelled and strengthened. I would never go back to that life, but my chest tightened at the mention of Ben’s name. The third piece of my and Addie’s trio. My best friend. I hated that I hadn’t even known he’d gotten married. And now his wife was dead? Probably because of a refusal to take her to a hospital. The knowledge made me rage…for this anonymous woman, for Ben. “I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.”
“Ian.” Uncle Allen’s voice boomed across the street. “It’s time to go.” The hatred pouring from his eyes felt like a living, breathing flame that could burn me alive.
Ian knocked into my shoulder as he walked away. “Watch your back.”
I swallowed the bile that crept up my throat, watching as they drove off. Suddenly, lunch didn’t sound appealing at all.
Chip sat on the coffee table with a bowl of nuts as I did my best to scrub the oven. The amount of baked-on grease was enough to make me lose the meager amount of food I’d been able to consume this afternoon. It had been more of a battle of wills. I hadn’t wanted to give my brother the power to take away my appetite. So, I’d forced a sandwich down once I got home.
Home. I leaned back to rest on my heels. Would this place ever truly feel that way? Chip let out a happy little sound as he nibbled away, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Taste good?”
He gave a series of squeaks as if to agree.
I groaned and rubbed at my temples. “I’m losing it. Talking to a chipmunk.”
I heard the now-familiar sound of tires on gravel. Taking a long, steadying breath, I made a promise to myself not to kill whoever was coming up the drive. But I wasn’t sure I’d be able to live up to that promise. This day had burned away the last of my patience.
I pushed to my feet and took up my usual vantage point at the window, where my shotgun was within reach. Peeking through the curtains, I muttered a curse as I saw the light bar on top of the SUV. “Great, just great.” I had half a mind to bring my shotgun out with me, but I resisted.
Crossing to the door, I pulled it open just as Hayes climbed out of his sheriff’s department vehicle. Unfortunately, there was no gorgeous dog to temper his visit this time.
I leaned against the porch railing. “You know, you come here a lot for someone who hates the sight of me.”
Hayes scowled, the movement somehow making his dark blue eyes shine in the afternoon light. “I don’t hate the sight of you.”
“That scowl on your face says otherwise.”
He let out a long sigh as he came to a stop at the bottom of my porch steps. “I was surprised that it was you when I showed up here. I thought someone from out of town had bought the place.”
“And being surprised turns you into an asshole?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “It might. I certainly do better when I know what I’m getting myself into.” I was silent for a moment, simply taking the man’s measure. He shifted on his feet. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve the greeting I gave you. I was trying to shield my family, but I didn’t need to be a jerk to do it. Think you can forgive me for not handling myself well?”
I gripped the railing, my fingers digging into the freshly stained wood. It turned out Hayes could be a charmer when he needed to be. Which meant it was my turn to scowl. “Oh, turn that grin off. I’m not gonna fall at your feet because you flashed those pearly whites at me.”
He chuckled. “A smile never hurts when you’re trying to get your point across.”
“I’ve always been a believer that actions speak louder than words.”
“Let my actions speak, then.”
“And what actions would those be?”
Hayes was quiet for a moment, his gaze traveling over the property. “My mom said you were turning this place into an animal sanctuary.”
“That’s what I’m working towards.” Unfortunately, the process was moving as slow as molasses. I still wasn’t done with the repairs and renovations on the cabin.
“Let me help you get this place into shape.”
My mouth fell open. A fly could’ve swooped right in. “You…want to help me make repairs on this place?”
He rubbed at the back of his neck. “Why not? My dad said he’s coming out this weekend to check out the barn. I can help him. I grew up on a ranch. I know my way around hard work.”
I snapped my mouth closed, swallowing the million and one retorts that wanted to surface. Ones that lashed out and told Hayes to get off my property. I took a deep breath. “Okay.”
The word was out before I could think better of it. Before I could remember the hatred I’d seen flash in Hayes’ gaze that first day. I closed my eyes for a moment, reminding myself that I could take it, whatever his emotions. Because if he didn’t let them out, they’d simply fester. To move forward, we had to look at this head-on.
“Okay?” Surprise lit his tone.
I nodded. “You can help on the weekends.”
“I have some afternoons off—”
I shook my head, cutting him off. “Weekends are enough.” I couldn’t deal with him all week, too. Two days would be more than enough.
“All right, then. I’ll see you this weekend. Let me know if there are tools you think I’ll need to bring.”