“So, you did burn it down?” My fingers itched to reach for the butt of my gun, but I forced them to remain at my side.
“I said if. But, apparently, they don’t teach you the English language at pig school. If I burned it down, I wouldn’t be able to sell it for as good of a price now, would I? Everly will turn it over to me eventually.”
Allen clamped a hand on Ian’s shoulder. “We’ve given you what you asked for. Now, leave.”
I tipped my head to the women on the porch. “If you ever need anything, the department is always open to you.”
Allen stepped into my line of sight again as if he could block my words from reaching their target. “They don’t need anything from you. We provide for them. Protect them. And they know that.”
Cybil wore outrage carved into the lines of her face. But Addie? She had bone-deep sorrow in her eyes. I forced my hands to stay relaxed, but I clocked every movement around me. “That offer isn’t just for them. It’s for any of you. If you need help, my door is always open.”
One of the men who’d been hanging back scoffed. “Don’t need no pig-help. Rather be set on fire.”
“That’s your choice.” I inclined my head to the SUV, and Young and I headed back to it. It was a conscious decision to turn my back to the men. It could’ve been a costly one. I counted that four of the six were armed. But I also couldn’t show weakness. Instead, I watched the shadows on the ground, watching for even minor movement. But there was none.
I started the engine and headed down the drive. It wasn’t until we hit the pavement that Young let out a whoosh of air. “That was…”
“Messed the hell up?”
“I was going to use even stronger language, but that works, too.” Young glanced over her shoulder at the disappearing ranch. “Addie might break rank. She sometimes has a stall at the farmer’s market in town. Sells jams and stuff. She’s kind and seems interested in the world around her, not full of hate like the rest of them.”
I knew Addie could be the one to turn. But what would it cost her if she did?
17
Everly
I kicked at a charred piece of wood. Everything smelled as if I’d been living in a large bonfire—I guessed I was. And it wasn’t only the barn. Three trees had to come down, as well. Thankfully, the cabin hadn’t gone up, but I kind of wished the main house had. I still hadn’t been able to venture inside. My gaze traveled back to the destruction. I’d need to order a dumpster and buy a chainsaw.
I didn’t want to even think about how long it would take me to clear away all of the debris. Since I only had nights and weekends, it would likely take me at least a month. That put me even more behind schedule. Not to mention that I had no idea how to cover the cost of building a brand-new barn. And I needed one to house some of the animals I wanted to give homes to.
Tears stung the corners of my eyes. And the fact that they did only made me angrier. Angry that my family hated me this much. Angry that I cared. So damn rageful that it still ate me up inside.
I wanted to let it all go but I couldn’t even do that. I was back here on the land I grew up on, trying to make it right again. To somehow find some peace. But it was nowhere to be found.
Someone let out a low whistle behind me, and I whirled, my hand going to my waistband where my holster usually sat. I hadn’t even armed myself before coming out here, that’s how messed-up my mind was. But instead of my brother or Allen, I found Shiloh.
Her gaze traveled over the destruction before landing on my face. “Shit. You’re crying. I-I’m not good with tears.”
Her panic matched mine, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not good with them either—having them, anyway.”
She nodded, shifting on her feet.
“I didn’t hear you come up.”
Shiloh inclined her head to the tree line where a horse was tied off. “I took Trick. Needed a good ride.”
It was more than good. It would’ve taken her hours to make it over here. “I think we’ll be on hold for a bit when it comes to work. I need to order a dumpster and get all of this debris cleaned up.”
“Do you know who did it?”
“The fire investigator and your brother haven’t said anything, but I think it’s still pretty early.”
“Do you know?” Her gaze bored into mine, cutting through all the noise and carefully couched statements.
I backed out of the rubble and sat on a stump. “Probably my brother. If my uncle did it, he would’ve gone for the building I was sleeping in. Ian is more of a reactor. He probably got pissed off and decided to do something to soothe that anger.”
Shiloh leaned against the fence. “He could’ve killed you.”
“That would’ve been a bonus for him.” But as I thought about it in the silence that Shiloh let linger, I knew that wasn’t true. Ian would want me to hurt. To fear. And if I were dead, he wouldn’t get that pleasure.
The sound of an engine working a bit harder than normal cut through the air. I pushed to my feet, stepping between Shiloh and whoever was coming up that hill. A hand landed on my shoulder, giving an awkward pat. “It’s just Dad.”
Gabe’s truck appeared, along with the reason for the extra noise—a massive dumpster towed behind him. My nose began to sting. “What’s he doing here?”
“You needed help. We’re good with help.”
She said it so simply. As if it were the easiest thing in the world. And maybe for the Easton family, it was. Gabe pulled alongside the burned remains of the barn, lining the dumpster up perfectly. Julia waved from the truck’s cab, but they weren’t alone.
Hayes’ SUV appeared next, followed by another, and a truck I didn’t recognize. I turned to Shiloh. “Why?”
She shrugged. “You need us.”
Julia appeared with another wave and moved to wrap an arm around Shiloh, which she quickly ducked out of. “How are you holding up?”
“I, uh, I’m okay.”
“Sorry for just barging in without calling, but I had a feeling you’d only blow us off if we did.”
The corners of my mouth curved up. “You might be right.”
“Gabe was able to get this bad boy today, so why not get a jump start?”
I glanced at my watch. “It’s after four.”
“Good thing we’ve got that late light. We’ll work until the sun starts to set, and then I brought sandwiches for everyone. It’s not fancy, but it’ll fill your belly.”
Those tears burned my eyes again, trying to break free. “Thank you.”
She patted my shoulder in a move that came easily, as opposed to Shiloh’s awkward one. “This community comes together when the chips are down.”
I’d never experienced that before. My family had been too busy looking at everyone in Wolf Gap with suspicion as if they were out to get them. I’d missed out on this experience. Emotions warred and flooded. Anger that I’d never had this before, and gratitude that I was receiving it now—all of it tossed in with a heavy dose of awkwardness. “I don’t know what to say.”