I toss a gas can into the bed of my pickup. The cooler lid creaks as I open it, pack it tight with ice and beer, then heave that in after. I steer my pickup along the jagged fence line dividing our land from the Kennedys'. If you add up all the Kennedys, they probably average out to having exactly one brain. So, naturally, my guess is they've stashed our trailer ontheir property's far edge, away from any eyes—especially ours.
My grip tightens on the wheel, and I squint past the trees and fields of the Kennedy expanse. I drive on for a few minutes. And there it is—a white barn off by itself in the distance. I roll to a stop and kill the engine. Resting my arm on the open window, I take in the barn's dated wood, the way that a brand new lock strangely stands out against the age of everything else. After a quick look around, I head to my truck bed and grab a crowbar. One solid swing shatters the lock. I kick the door open and slip inside.
Taking a quick glance around, my fingers fumble for the phone in my pocket.
"Charming," I say. "Trailer's here. It’s the white barn on the far end of their property. I'll swing the back door open so you can back your truck in and pull it out."
I gather up a few tools and anything that looks useful since they probably took more shit than we know about. They clatter softly as I nestle them in the back of my truck.
Charming's truck eases up beside mine, his window slowly rolls down, and all my brothers are inside.
"How'd you know it was in this barn?" Danger asks from the passenger seat.
"Just went with my gut,” I say as I lean against the side of my truck, feelin’ the corner of my mouth hitch up in a half-smirk. “Figured they’d try to keep it hidden somewhere we can’t see from our ranch.”
"Good thinkin’." Danger nods. "Rogue and Charming will clear out anything in there that could explode."
Once our trailer is out, I have the satisfaction of trailing a line of gasoline through the barn. I strike a match then drop it and watch as the fire roars to life, devouring everything in its path. My brothers lean back and enjoy the show. TheKennedys should know by now you don’t mess with The Stetsons without expecting a little fire in return.
"Cheers," Danger mutters, his shadow stretching tall beside me. We clink bottles and enjoy the crackle of the fire.
Before long, the low rumble of engines signals the arrival of our friends. They pull up, doors swinging open.
"Perfect night for a fire," one of them hollers over the destruction. We gather in a wide circle, some lounging on truck beds, some caught up in conversation. We pass beers around. The heat of the fire warms our faces, and the coolness of the beer soothes our throats.
"Anyone bring the marshmallows?" Winnie Hawthorne's voice is playful as she plants a kiss on my cheek.
The Hawthornes have been around for years, running the bakery that's as much a part of this town as our ranch. And Winnie, with her hands forever dusted in flour and her heart too big for her own good, is a regular in our circle. We've tangled in the sheets more times than I care to admit, but it's never been more than what it was. I've never sugarcoated anything with her. She knows more than anyone that I'm not the type to settle down.
Sometimes, when I walk her out after a hookup, or I look over at the empty side of my bed that I never let anyone occupy, I wish that I could love Winnie. Tried to convince myself, even, because every time I peer into those hopeful eyes of hers, I see the reflection of a dream I'll never fulfill. It's like I'm staring at a road I'll never travel, knowing it leads to a home that could never be mine. Winnie's holding out for something that's just not in the cards—cards dealt by a daddy who showed his boys everything but how to properly treat a woman.
I turn just in time to see Knox's truck pull into view, thedust from the road following behind him. He hauls the door open and steps out.
“Heard we were having a little party,” he calls out, a grin splitting his face.
Knox nods at the others, then jerks his chin for me to step aside. I follow, and he leans in, dropping his voice low.
“Hey, man, could you do me a huge favor?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Since Sawyer’s stayin’ at the guest house on the ranch, could you keep an eye on her? You know how low the Kennedys stoop. I’d feel a hell of a lot better if you could make sure no one messes with her when I’m not around.”
“You don’t even gotta ask. You know I’d ride through fire for you.”
The thought of one of the Kennedys laying a hand on her flashes through my head, and my blood goes nuclear. I could argue with her all damn day but she's safe under my watch. Whether she wants to be or not.
Knox claps me on the shoulder, then fixes me with that older-brother stare. “And listen… I know how you are with women. Don’t even think about goin’ there with her. This is my baby sister we’re talkin’ about.”
“I wouldn’t go there.”
Yeah, she’s the kind of beautiful that causes problems, but she’s also the only woman bold enough to call me out in years. Doesn’t mean I want her. Just means I noticed.
“Appreciate it. Meet me there tonight—I’ll let Sawyer know you’ll be around to keep her safe.”
She’s gonna hate this—hell, she might even despise this plan—but that just makes me wanna do it all the more. Knox was there for me when my granddaddy passed, got me through it. I owe him more than he knows, which means I’lldo damn near anything to keep her safe. Even if she thinks I’m the devil himself.
And I didn’t expect him to bring her, but Sawyer slowly kicks open the side door of Knox’s truck, she’s got a phone on her ear as her heels sink slightly into the field. Guess some lessons take a little longer to learn.
