But if she did argue with Rory, her brother would know there was more going on.
It didn’t seem as if he couldn’t tell already anyway with the looks going on between the two of them.
“I don’t give a shit whose side you’re on, I’m not walking away. We are all in this too deep. This person is escalating and you know it.”
“Which is why you need to stand down,” Ford said firmly.
“Nope. I’m going about my life just as I always do. I’m not letting this person win, just like you guys aren’t either.”
Ford sighed. “I’m going outside to look around and call Clay. Rory, talk sense into her.”
Her brother walked out of the cabin, leaving her with the man she was growing way too fond of.
“Don’t do it,” she said. “Don’t start a fight with me to get me to leave. That’s way too basic and we both know it. And don’t say something you’ll regret later.”
He moved closer and pulled her into his arms. “Gale. I care about you. I’m scared that something is going to happen and I can’t have that on my shoulders. I mean it.”
“Great. You’re going the guilt route. Should have figured. Again, way too basic. I expected better of you.”
“I’m speaking from the heart,” he said softly. That was worse. “I don’t want you hurt.”
If he could speak from the heart then so could she. “Pushing me away is hurting me. Did you think of that?”
He blew out a huge breath. “We have to figure this out and until I can, it’s not wise to have us be together.”
“If we are together then we can protect each other,” she said, putting her arms around his neck and giving him a light kiss.
“You’re trying to appeal to my logical, protective side.”
“Is it working?” she asked, angling her head.
They turned when there was a throat clearing. There was Ford standing in the doorway watching them.
Since her brothers knew she was spending time with the guy, it wasn’t that big of a deal.
“Clay is on the way,” Ford said. “There are footprints off to the side going into the woods. I’m taking pictures.”
“I’m coming out with you,” Rory said, and moved out of her arms.
“Give me a minute with my sister. Just don’t get too close to the footprints. I want to eliminate yours.”
“I’ve only been in the driveway,” he said, but walked outside.
“I know a lecture is going to fall on deaf ears,” Ford said.
“It will. You wouldn’t have walked away from Reenie any more than Clay would have Meredith.”
“You aren’t us. You can’t handle what we can.”
There was no reason to argue what was the truth. She wasn’t trained as they were, wasn’t equipped or even as hard.
But she had one thing in common with her brothers—she was just as stubborn.
“I’m not going to argue with that. But Ford, if we back down or change anything, you might lose your chance to get answers I know damn well you want just as much as Rory.”
“There is no way I’m putting you or anyone else at risk for them.”
“Whoever is doing this knows something. It is either them, or a secret they want hidden. I’m not sure and won’t guess, but they win if we back down. That’s puttingeveryoneat risk.”
