Page 129 of We Redeemed the Rain

He swiped his long sleeve against his mouth, spat blood, and said nothing.

“You done then?”

He nodded, slow and resigned.

“Let’s set somethin’ straight, right here and now.” I pointed down the barn corridor. “That woman is off limits. In every single way. Don’t talk to her. Don’t touch her. Don’t even look in her direction. If you toe the line even a hair, I will chase you off my property with a loaded pistol.”

Cooper looked down, drawing his knees up to his chest.

“This ranch is my house and if you’re stayin’ in my house, you do what you’re told. Understand?”

He nodded, not meeting my eyes.

“I’ve stuck my neck out for you more times than I can even remember. I’ve cleaned up your messes, shouldered your problems, given you money. I’ve thrown myself into the fire foryou. You’re not gonna barge in and do whatever the hell you want. You’re a grown ass man and those days are over.”

He said nothing, didn't even move.

“Nod or somethin’ so I know you’re with me.”

“Okay!” He raised his voice, not happy about being bossed around.

“No women, no drinking, no drugs. You can do that somewhere else. No smokin’ in the barn. You work every day like the rest of us. We meet on the porch at 5:45 a.m. and don’t stop till the day’s tasks are done. Bea and Cade—don’t get anywhere near either of ‘em.”

His eyes flew to mine and he scoffed. “Cade? Jesse’s kid?”

I nodded.

“Why wouldn’t I be able to go near him?” His voice rose in anger this time. “Think I’m gonna slip a five-year-old some drugs or something?”

“Listen.” I stepped closer again. “There’s no trust here. If there’s trust and brotherhood in our future it's because you’re gonna earn it back day by day. For now, all I know about you is you’re a functionin’ alcoholic, addicted to God only knows what, with different women every weekend, a convicted thief, and physically aggressive. You’re a tickin’ time bomb. I have noideawhat you’re capable of.”

Cooper looked down. I couldn’t miss the hurt on his face. I hated it. I did. But Cooper couldn’t be my priority anymore. I didn’t have it in me to turn him away, but he’d do every single thing on my terms this time. I had people I cared about who needed me to put them first.

When he didn’t respond, I continued, “After dinner we’ll empty out the storage closet in the barn. You can stay there.”

“Thebarn?”

“That’s what I have available.”

“What about a cabin?”

I shook my head. “They still have water damage.”

“What about the main house?”

“Bea’s there.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re gonna make me stay in the barn like an animal.”

“Take it or leave it.”

He huffed in agitated surrender.

“Final thing. I’ll pay you when you’ve worked a month.”

“Is that even legal?”

“Oh, you want to do this the legal way? Perfect. I’ll get a W4 for you to sign and you can pay taxes like every other hard workin’ adult.”

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