I shook my head, running my hand over my forehead.
"Go for a walk, you are exhausted. I'm going to rest."
"I need to get ready for the movers."
"Nah, you did enough. It doesn't have to all get done in one day."
I smiled. She was right. I could take a quick walk and then come back with a clear head.
"I wish I could help you."
Tears stung my eyes as I looked at my sister. She was in daily pain. I hated to see her suffer. But the worst part for her was the feeling of helplessness.
I reached out and took her hand.
"I know Case. You will soon. Just watch, I will have you doing all the chores by Christmas."
For a moment we just smiled at each other, both of us hoping for the same thing. Such a simple thing for most people. All we wanted was her health back. A little normalcy and relief.
It wasn't so much to ask, in the grand scheme of things.
"Go on, I know you are itching to get out there and look at the land."
"You are sure you don't need anything?"
She smiled at me, tilting her chair back into the recline position.
"I'm fine. You get some air."
I nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"See you in a bit."
Chapter Three Jackson
It was a beautiful day. A bright, beautiful, clear day. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. The sky was bluer than blue.
And I wanted to punch all of them.
I grimaced, shading my eyes with my hand. Even the dark sunglasses I'd borrowed from Jake did little to cut the painful glare. It seemed to pierce straight to my tired, angry, hungover soul.
Oh yes, I wanted to hit something.
Especially the sun.
"Cut it down or just trim it? I'd say it's about done, though you could leave it a few more years once we take off most of the branches. Won't be too pretty though."
I nodded at Dave, making a slicing motion with my hand. He was running a crew of about five or six guys. They had a small crane, a wood chipper, and lots of chainsaws.
He gave the signal and the roar of the chainsaws tore through the air.
I walked away slightly, wishing I had a pair of those ear mufflers that the crew were wearing.
This was too much. And scheduling it today of all days had been a real fuck up on my part. But Dave was booked months in advance.
It was what it was. I would get through this, and then I would crawl into a deep dark hole and sleep for twelve hours. And next year, I would not get nearly so shitfaced.
Or at least, I wouldn't plan anything for the next morning.
Our property was covered in trees. Many of them were a hundred years old or more. We were in an area at the edge of the property where we didn't ride much, but still, it was our property and if a tree came down and injured someone, it would be our responsibility.
And I took my responsibilities very seriously.
I was still backing away when I slammed into something. I nearly fell over as I turned to see what the hell was behind me.
I reached out, just as the person behind me started to fall. A loud feminine squeak let me know it was a woman. I could also tell by the smell. She smelled nice.
Really, really nice.
I helped her stand and froze, stock-still. I could hardly believe my eyes once I got a good look at her.
Huge green and gold hazel eyes started up at me. She had an oval face with a pert nose and pink luscious looking lips. Her long, rich golden hair had slid over her eyes and she pushed it back angrily.
I was thunderstruck as I stared down at her. It took a second for me to realize I was still holding onto her arms. For a moment she looked as stunned as I did.
Then she scowled at me, brushing my hands off.
"What the hell are you doing with my tree?"
"Your tree?"
"Yes, it's my damn tree!"
"That's on Delancey property right there."
"Delancey property?"
I nodded, trying to ignore the hot surge of lust this rude woman was instilling it me. It was hard to believe my cock was functional, hungover as I was. But I felt it twitching in my jeans, almost as if it was trying to escape and rub itself all over her.
"This land has been in our family for five generations. And that tree has been there the whole damn time. It's ours!"
"Oh no it isn't! I have a survey! Don't move an inch-I will be right back with it!"
I narrowed my eyes at the very pretty, very angry intruder. I shook my head. No matter how gorgeous she was, I wasn't going to budge. And she was gorgeous.
The best damn pair of tits I'd seen in a dog's age too. No. Longer.
My mind was reeling as I watched her walk away. Her long legs ate the ground like nobody's business. But that did nothing to hide her deliciously feminine curves.
Oh yeah, she was stacked to say the least.
Not to mention a massive pain in the ass.
That's when I realized who she was.
I groaned, running my hand over my hair.
It looked like I had just met the new neighbor.
Angelina
"Of all the nerve!"