Page 51 of Peaches

“Yep,” Kasey nearly growls.

“You gonna tell him?” I ask.

He sighs. “I was hoping you’d talk to him with me. He’s always been a little more open with you.”

I almost fucking laugh. “Open in his blatant dislike of me, maybe.” If Kasey only knew the shit our dear-old-dad has put me through.

But the words have Kasey’s head snapping my way. “He doesn’t dislike you, Rhett. He just . . . he doesn’t understand you.”

I snort, doing what I can to tamp down the fire growing in my chest. “It has nothing to do withunderstanding, Kasey. And if it did, I’d say thatheof all people should be the one who fucking understands. He doesn’t give a shit about any of us—never has.” I hold up the letter from the lawyer. “I have no idea what this is about, but if it means we need to rely on Dad to make something right, I hope to god there’s a way one of us can do it instead.” Anger thrums uncomfortably through my veins as I push the letter back into his hands.

Kasey just stares, considering my words. “Look,” he says after a long moment, “I hear you. I know you and Dad have had your issues, and lord knows that man has never been particularly good to us. But whatever this is, if it’s a threat to the ranch, we need to put on a united front. Without Brooks, it’s up to you and me to figure this out, to show these suits that no one fucks with our family or our land and gets away with it.”

“You want to play dirty?” I ask carefully.

Kasey’s eyes are hard and unyielding. “If it comes to it, if we need to. We do whatever it takes to protect what’s ours.”

I look back out at the horizon, at the sun now fully glowing in the sky. “You think Dad knows what it means?”

He shrugs. “I don’t think that man knows his ass from a hole in the ground. But if there’s something to learn about the land trust, he’d be our best option. Or Mom, but you know she’ll want him to know if it involves him. If we have to dig out records from the office, we’ll do it. I’m just hoping he can save us some time, because we don’t have much of it.”

I nod, staying silent. Kasey’s right . . . If our father can shed any light on whatever that letter’s about or who this asshole Stuart is, we’d be better for it. But I’ve worked hard to never put myself in positions where I have to rely on him for anything. I don’t like the feel of it, the power it gives him. Eventually, I relent. “I’ll go with you to talk to him.”

Kasey shoves the letter back in his pocket and leans against the fence next to me. “Thank you,” he says quietly.

“You all right?” I ask after a few beats.

He shakes his head. “Nothing’s all right, Rhett. Nothing. Most times I can see the way through, but right now, it feels like we’re in the middle of the ocean, taking on water faster than we can throw it back out.”

The words are like a knife to the heart. I clap a hand on his shoulder, gripping him tight. “We’ll get through whatever comes,” I promise. “We always do.”

But even as I say the words, I wonder if I’m lying.

“Can I ask you something?” Kasey hedges.

“Shoot,” I rumble.

“You and that girl . . . Is there something going on?”

My stomach plummets. I had a feeling the question would be coming at some point, especially after she showed up at the ranch. I’m honestly surprised it’s taken this long for someone to ask. “What girl?” I try.

His eyes narrow. “You know what girl.”

I sigh, knowing I’m about to have a real hard time hiding the truth: that I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s possible. If I could . . . bemeantfor someone. God, if someone like Olivia could be meant for me. It’s foolish, I know. There’s no way in hell I could deserve her, but still. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I . . . I thought it could be something casual, but I think I’m in a little over my head.”

Kasey’s eyes widen in surprise. “Oh shit,” he lets out through a rush of air, and I want to walk away from this conversation. “Youlikethis girl.”

I roll my eyes, impatient with the way he’s looking at me. Irritated with my own truth. “Yeah, well, it’s not going anywhere, so don’t get your panties twisted up about it.”

He frowns. “Why not?”

I throw him a hard look. “Kasey, look around. You think it’s a fucking good time to get caught up in something like that?”

He doesn’t answer right away, but when he does, it’s low. “I think it’s about time we see some good, Rhett. And since when have you everbeen the one to truly let yourself get caught up with a girl? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like that with one.” He takes a breath, scratching at the back of his neck. “You don’t get to decide when the good shit comes, but if you don’t grab it while you can, you’ll lose it.Trustme. I think . . . I think if you like her, you give it everything you have.”

I blow out a breath, feeling my stomach tighten uncomfortably. “I can’t,” I let out.

Kasey’s eyes grow harsh, and it almost feels like he’s . . .disappointed.

---