He tapped another button and held it to his ear. “Yeah.”
Ramsey listened and then glanced at me. “Your brother’s here. He wants to talk to you.”
18
SHILOH
Crap.Crap. Double crap.
“Which one?”
Like that made a difference. I had made Ramsey a promise that I wouldn’t bring other people onto his property. He seemed at ease with me, fairly relaxed with the boys, and Lor was no big deal. But I’d seen reticence or agitation flare when anyone else buzzed the gate.
“Hayes,” he bit out.
“I can go to the gate and talk to him—”
Ramsey cut me off with a shake of his head. “No. But if you don’t want to talk to him, I can send him away.”
That would only make things worse. I’d been ignoring Hayes’ calls and texts. It was likely why he’d shown up like this. I hadn’t wanted to be subjected to a lecture or his ignorant comments about Ramsey, but it was time to deal with him.
“I should talk to him.”
Ramsey put the phone to his ear. “Follow the road to the guest cabin.” He hung up without waiting for a response and then motioned me towards the house that we were both staying in.
My cheeks heated at the reminder. If Hayes knew that Ramsey was staying in there with me, he’d lose it.
“You don’t have to wait with me. I’ll be fine.”
Ramsey didn’t say a word; he simply whistled for Kai, who came running. As much as the dog loved me, he’d become even more partial to Elliott. He sulked every day after the little boy left.
I bent down, pressing my head to Kai’s and scratching behind his ears. I soaked in his warmth and reassurance. “If anyone gets out of line, you can bite ‘em.”
Ramsey snorted with derision.
My stomach churned as Hayes’ sheriff’s department SUV came into view. He pulled to a stop in front of the cabin and climbed out of the vehicle. His gaze narrowed on the dog.
I patted Kai’s head and rolled my eyes at my brother. “Don’t be dramatic.”
“It’s part wolf. I don’t think it’s dramatic to be wary.”
“You live at an animal sanctuary. I would think you would have a little more understanding and trust of animal behavior.”
“Domesticatedand farm animals.”
I let out a sigh. “Don’t make me call Everly on you.”
His lips twitched. “Fine. How are you?”
“Good.”
Hayes’ gaze swung to Ramsey. “Can I have a minute alone with my sister?”
Ramsey met his stare dead-on. “Depends on what she wants.”
I let loose a million mental curses.
“Hayes, this is my friend, Ramsey.”