Page 167 of We Redeemed the Rain

Jesse snorted. “Okay, let me rephrase. Why are you doing non-emergency plumbing at ten forty-five at night?”

“This is the main line that busted. I’m replacin’ the rest of the pipe so it doesn’t happen again. Bein’ proactive instead of reactive for once in my life.”

“You keeping the line on for tomorrow?”

“Yep. Just going to dig it up a bit at a time. When I get it all uncovered, we’ll turn the line off and replace it.” I did my best to keep my voice steady and make it sound like this was a sane business decision and not a pathetic attempt to cope.

“Any reason you aren’t renting a skid for this?”

“Maybe I like diggin’.”

Expecting a snide remark, I was surprised when he sincerely responded. “I think you just don’t want to go in that house.”

“I think you should mind your own damn business.” I threw my weight down on the shovel.

“Oh, I see how it’s going to be. I come out here to help, and you decide to be an asshole.”

“You’re helpin’?” I glanced up at him for the first time. “You didn’t bring a shovel.”

Jesse took a deep, quiet breath. “Tag, stop a minute and listen to me.”

“I know what you’re gonna say, and I don’t want it.”

“You need it.”

I stomped on the shovel, trying to ignore him.

“Look, I know you’re probably feeling like crap right now, but we need to talk about what happened for a lot of different reasons.”

Defenses flew up around me. “I’veneverhad one that bad, alright? It was a one-off thing.”

“But what if it wasn’t? I’m not trying to be insensitive by forcing you to think about it, but Tag what if it happens when you’re driving or at a rodeo?”

My back spasmed, and I lifted one shoulder, rolling out my spine. I sighed in frustration and spat out my reply. “I don’t know, Jesse. I’ve been dealin’ with this my whole life, and I know as much about it today as I did when I was twelve. I’ll live with it, same as I always do.”

“Cade and I need Meadowbrook. This is our home now, for better or worse. I care about what happens to it, and you are the captain of this ship. If you’re not okay, Meadowbrook won’t be either.”

“I’mfine.”

“Stop lying, Tag. That’s not going to help anything. I’ve seen you space out and struggle and have weird weeks plenty of times, but I haveneverseen you unresponsive.”

“It was only for a few minutes.”

“No, it was about fifteen minutes. That’s a long time to be completely unaware of your surroundings.”

I hated how right he was. If I had been at a rodeo or hauling horses, the results could have cost me everything. If I’d been in public,someone would’ve called 9-1-1, and I’d be shackled, once again, with hospital bills I couldn’t afford.

I stood straight and opened my arms wide in defiance. “What do you want, Jesse? An apology? I’m sorry!”

“No, dammit, I don’t want your apology.”

“Then what’s the point? I’ve got work to do.” I drove the shovel again.

“You need to see someone. A doctor or something.”

“I already have.”

That surprised him. He paused for several beats. “Really?”

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