Page 37 of Brutal Heir

Addler eyes the distance from the edge of the pond to where the cow’s mooing pathetically. “How did she end up stuck so deep?” Addler asks.

I wanna say I gave up trying to figure out why females do the things they do, but I got enough sense to keep my mouth shut in present company.

“Probably went for a drink and sank.” I empty the bottle in one swig then crush the empty. “The rain we got the last few days turns the outer ring of the pond into a bog.” I point to the edge of the pond. “The more she struggled to get out, the deeper she went.”

Addler’s gaze goes to Elena’s face, stopping at her forehead. “There should be another cap in the back of the truck if you want one,” he offers. “Just be careful where you stand, or you’ll end upcovered in mud.”

“Okay,” she says, and goes back to the truck. Addler hands over another water bottle and the straps then moves to the winch on the front of his truck. Gotta hand it to him. He’s cool as can be about the whole thing.

I down half the bottle then take my hat off and pour the rest over my head. The cool liquid rolls down my back and shoulders, offering some relief.

“And keep an eye out for anyone walking through,” Addler warns her as he pulls the winch line. “We shouldn’t have people crossing with the river running high, but some will still go for it. We don’t want to end up on foot out here.”

So, she’s not a rancher. May be from the Kelly office. That’s the only place I would have seen her.

“Will do,” she says obediently, climbing onto the truck’s floorboard so she can look out into the distance. I turn to hide a grin, knowing she won’t appreciate it. Addler’s keeping a straight face, so I’ll have to wait for Mayela to get any real information. For a woman who spends her life away from town, she’s got all the right connections.

The animal gives a tired moo as we get closer. She watches cautiously as Addler pops open a bottle. He slogs over until he’s near the cow’s head then proceeds to pour water in her mouth a little at a time. After a few initial snorts, she starts drinking. Of course the damned female would behave for him.

I tie the straps together and pull it under the animal. After wiping it down, I attach it to the winch line then turn to Addler. “We’re set.”

He heads back to the truck, grabbing the winch controller.“Get in and scoot,” he says, pointing to the bench seat. She slides over, looking at him like they’re on a first date. I lose my grin as the memory of Sage cuts in on my day again. She’s in the front seat of my truck, her thighs spread as the recorder’s going.

The animal’s desperate cry snaps me back to reality. I put my arms up to catch his attention. “Whoa, whoa. The mud’s causing too much pressure.”

Addler gets out of the truck. “Shit.” He heads back to the trailer.

Her eyes are wild, her labored breathing showing the struggle she’s put up until now. “Hang on, girl.” I try to soothe her as she sinks a little more.

Addler comes back with two shovels, tossing me one. We set to shoveling mud, not that I expect we’ll get very far. It looked like everything had settled after baking in the hot sun, but here we are, lucky not to have lost our boots.

It’s a struggle to stay ahead of the mud sliding in from around us. We’re finally making headway when she tries more kicking. I stop to soothe her again. “Hang on, girl. We’re trying our best.” At this point, I’m not sure which one of us is more exhausted.

Addler brings an arm up to wipe his forehead. “I can’t tell where her legs are.” He tosses the shovel toward the bank and starts using his hands to clear out the mud. Been a while since I’ve seen the college boy put in this kind of effort. Not since the old man…then it hits me. That’s who she is. Elena Santos.

Mayela said the girl was working with Kelly Oil. Ever since, I wondered if that’s why Addler bought the construction division. Because a man will do stupid shit over a woman—the right woman.

Addler stops, catching his breath. “Elena, what are you doing?” he asks.

“This I can help with.” Elena jumps in, using both hands to clear out mud the way we are.

“Be careful,” he says. “She could start kicking.” Just then, the confounded female decides to demonstrate. Addler takes a hoof to the leg. He sucks in a breath, clenching his jaw as he takes it like a man.

I duck to hide a grin. Like I said, a man will do stupid shit over a woman.

“Addler, are you okay?” Elena asks, wide-eyed. She’s frozen in place, waiting to see what he’ll do.

“I’ve had worse,” he mutters. True. Back then, the old man just told us to suck it up and expected us to either finish the day or head to the hospital. He had no middle ground. “She doesn’t know any better, Elena. She’s just going on instinct.”

With the third set of hands, we start making more progress than before. Wouldn’t have thought the slip of a woman had it in her.

“Let’s try it again,” Addler says, heading back to the truck. “Get up on the bank.”

As much as Elena seems strong and capable, it’s best she stays out of harm’s way. “Over there.” I point to an area away from the truck. “You never know what can happen. The cow could kick, or the truck could slide. This way, you’re safe.”

Without a single argument, she moves to the bank, clearly worn out. I gotta give it to her. She seems genuinely concerned about the cow. And she’s not afraid to put in hard work, even though she was gonna end up dirty.

“Remember to check for snakes!” Addler warns, before getting into the driver’s seat.

---