Ben flicked at the tab on his can, twisting it in some sort of rhythmic pattern. “You know you’d be welcome to come stay with them. Or me. Whenever you want. I hate the idea of you up at that cabin all alone.”
“I can’t, Ben.” It was too close. Too much in that world I’d done everything to escape. “I want to be where I am.” It felt like I was making a true home for myself. Maybe it was having the Eastons’ help these past few weeks, or perhaps seeing the paddocks start to take shape as Shiloh and I put up fencing. I was beginning to see what the property could be.
Ben’s mouth pressed into a firm line, but he nodded. “That invitation doesn’t have an expiration date.”
I reached across and patted his arm. “Thank you.” I wanted to find a way to meld the good parts of my past like Ben and Addie with the future I was building. That was what had always been at the heart of this journey. Melding the old with the new and forming it into something good.
Because as much as I tried to simply ignore the past, to build myself into an entirely new person who didn’t have a father in prison or a brother who never resisted using his fists, or a mother who had simply faded away, that wasn’t me. And who I was had strength and empathy because of where I’d come from.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?”
I lifted my head to see Ian strolling across the grass. I didn’t stand or let any glimmer of alarm rise to my face. I simply picked up my Coke and took a sip. “Hello, Ian.”
He ignored me and turned to Ben. “Allen needs you at the ranch. There’s an issue with the water pump, and no one can figure out how to fix it.”
Ben had always been gifted with machinery and mechanisms. He’d constantly taken apart old appliances to see if he could figure out how to fix them. Apparently, that hadn’t changed.
“I’ll head over as soon as I’ve finished up lunch.”
Ian swiped his hat off his head. “You’d side with her over the people who have had your back your entire life?”
Ben rolled his eyes heavenward. “It has nothing to do with sides. I’m hungry, and I’d like to finish eating. I need to wait for Addie anyway.”
“I’ll wait for Addie,” Ian gritted out.
Ben opened his mouth to argue, but I waved him off. “Take your sandwich to go. We can catch up another time.”
Ben met my stare as if checking to see if I really meant what I said. The tiny action made my chest tighten. It was a silent promise that he had my back against Ian this time. I gave him a small nod, and he rose, picking up his lunch.
“Does this mean you’re finally learning your place?” Ian asked.
“My place is wherever I want it to be.”
My brother scoffed, turning to Ben. “She always did have grand ideas about what she thought she could be. You might want to keep your distance from that one. She was willing to throw anyone under the bus to get what she wanted. It’s why she’s alone now. Burned every bridge she ever had.”
“I don’t know,” Ben said, “I think a few grand ideas is a good thing.”
He sent me a wink as they took off across the park, and I let out a slow breath. This was what the new normal would likely be. It seemed my brother might be settling, and I could only hope Allen did the same. They would never be friendly, but maybe over time, they would be content with snide jabs and rude comments.
I only hoped that Ben and Addie would be able to withstand them, too. Then maybe I could have both of my worlds and wouldn’t be so alone anymore. Maybe I’d build that rich life I’d always wanted. If I could just hold onto all of the pieces.
“You okay to lock up?” Tim asked as he gathered up his water bottle, phone, and keys.
“No problem. I want to finish up these chart notes so they’re not hanging over my head.”
“Paperwork is everyone’s least favorite thing.”
“And I wouldn’t want you coming after me if I don’t get it finished on time.”
Tim chuckled. “I am pretty terrifying.”
“You’ve got us all quaking in our boots.”
“Right where I want you.”
He waved as he headed out the front door, and I turned back to the file in front of me. Miles had let me take point on Koda’s two-week follow-up today. The pup was healing well and surprisingly spry while lugging around his cast.
I grinned down at the desk. The shepherd was giving Hayes at least a dozen heart attacks a day. He’d been taking Koda to work with him so he could keep an eye on the canine, but Koda wanted to be in everyone’s business and explore every nook and cranny. He was jumping on and off of furniture, but Hayes didn’t have the heart to crate him all day.