Page 44 of Downpour

“That’s the bunkhouse. The ranch hands and I live there. You probably pass the main house and Christian’s house on the way in. Momma’s always at her place, unless she’s getting my niecesfrom school. Cass is usually in the office, but she and I go riding most afternoons. Nate and Becks travel a lot for her job, so it’s a fifty-fifty shot whether someone’s there or not.”

“I never realized how many people live here.”

“It’s getting bigger by the day. Construction’s going on for the restaurant and lodge.” He looked around, surveying the property. “The peace and quiet won’t last for long.”

“Ray hasn’t said much about that, but I’ve seen the construction crews coming and going.”

“It’s what Cassandra was brought in for. We had a rough few years, and the ranch almost went under. When we got back on our feet, my dad decided we needed to diversify. Cass secured some investors to put a significant amount of money into building a hotel and a restaurant.”

CJ was trying his best to sound neutral about it all, but I could sense the disdain.

“Well…” I hesitated. “I’ll try my best not to get in anyone’s way.”

His eyes softened. “We’re just glad someone’s sticking around for Ray. Holler if you need anything, alright?”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

CJ walked toward the paddock where Anarchy was, then paused. “Brooke?”

“Yeah?”

“If you can get Ray to come to the family dinner tonight, I’ll take you on a trail ride.”

“Family dinner?”

CJ tipped his head toward the front of the property. “Momma cooks for everyone twice a week. Ray hasn’t sat at the table since his accident. He always refuses.”

I let out a caustic laugh by accident. “And you thinkIcan convince him to go?”

He shrugged. “You’ve made it this long without getting fired. He must think you’re something special.”

11

RAY

Itried to take a nap, but sleep never came. I tried to watch TV, but the only shows on were crap. I watered and pruned that stupid plant in my room, but it didn’t calm the war in my head. I sat outside on the deck and tied knots, but I never entered that mindlessly distracted state.

I felt sick every time I thought about the look on Brooke’s face when I yelled at her. She was just trying to help, and I had lashed out at her because—well—that’s what I did.

I hurt people.

I was an inconvenience.

I was a burden.

Today had been a good day. Therapy—as much as it sucked—went well. I had showered and managed to get out by myself. Any other day, I would have been borderline happy. I would have been proud of my progress.

Then I had to fuck it all up by yelling at her instead of handling my emotions like a grown man. Why couldn’t I be more like Christian? Nothing bothered him. The man was a walking bottle of Xanax.

Nate had a short fuse, but he knew how to control it. The military made sure of that.

CJ just hung out with animals all day. They didn’t care if he was in a sour mood.

I was the wild child whose path ended the way everyone always said it would. And now I was making it everyone else’s problem.

That thought brought me back to Brooke. Where was she?

She had been gone for the better part of three hours, and I was starting to get worried. The ranch was big. Hell, I’d get lost if I went too far out.

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