Page 40 of Hard Rain Coming

“I’m not doing this.” His anger rose, and he clenched his jaw as he faced his sister.

“I don’t care what you want. I’m telling you what you need to hear.”

“What’s that exactly?” he bit out.

“To never see or speak to Vivian again.”

“Kind of hard to do since she lives at the ranch.”

“She’s back to stay?” His sister was shocked.

“I don’t know. We don’t talk about shit like that.”

“You don’t talk…” Her voice trailed off and her eyes narrowed. “You’re involved with her again. She was here last night, wasn’t she?”

Dallas had to take a few moments and get his anger in check. He knew his sister wanted to protect him, but he didn’t need it. He wasn’t a nineteen-year-old kid with anger issues.

“Vivian and I aren’t for public discussion.”

“I’m not public,” Jade retorted. “I’m family.”

He softened a bit. “I’m a grown man, and I don’t need you meddling in my life. Whatever Vivian and I do is our business. It belongs to no one else. Not even you.”

“But Dallas,” she pleaded. “She’ll leave. She always does. It’s what she does.”

“I’m not looking for love or a relationship or anything like that. If she leaves that’s fine by me.”

But was it? That thought snuck in, and he pushed it away just as fast.

Jade looked as if she were considering her next words. It was nearly a full minute when she responded. “Have you ever asked yourself why?”

“Why?” he repeated, not sure where she was headed. “Why what?”

“I see how you are with kids. How you treat animals. How you are with your friends. You might be rough around the edges and most of the time full of yourself, but then what man isn’t?” She nailed him with a look. “You would be such a good father. Such a good husband. Yet you’re here alone on this mountain with your horses and a donkey and whatever other critters you’ve got hanging around. Why is that? Is it because you haven’t met the right woman yet? Is it because you don’t want those things?” She took another step toward him. “Or is it because the one woman you wanted didn’t want you?”

“You don’t know anything about me and Vivian. About what happened between us.”

“I know that she’s not good enough for you.”

“You’ve never liked any woman I was involved with.”

“That’s not true.” Jade lifted her chin. “I like Megan.”

“That’s because you set us up. And for the record, I think she was scared of me.”

Dallas finished his coffee and walked over to the sink. He rinsed out his mug and turned back to his sister.

“I don’t want to talk about Vivian.” He was done, and his sister knew it. She glanced away, obviously still worked up, but then gave a soft sigh and set down her mug. She gave him a hug.

“I don’t want to be a pain in the butt. I’m sorry.”

“You can’t help it,” he replied with a wink, trying to take the edge off their exchange.

“That’s what big sisters are for, right? And you gotta know, I only want the best for you.” She watched him closely. “You went to a dark place last time. With her. I don’t want to see that happen again.”

“You don’t know Vivian. You don’t know what we were.”

“Yes. I get that. I wasn’t in your relationship. If what you guys had could be called a relationship. Once you hooked up with Vivian none of us saw you all that much. You guys only had time for each other. I don’t think that’s healthy. And look, for all I know she’s not as bad as I think. But that’s the thing, Dal. I don’t know her. She was never one of those kids who took the time for anyone who wasn’t in her orbit.” She punched him in the shoulder, gently. “You’re my brother and you’re the only one who matters. I will always have your back.”

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