Page 14 of When We Break

Admittedly, I see trashed cabins like that one about once a month, which could be worse, but it still pisses me off and shreds all hope I have for humanity.

With that handled, I head back for the main house and the barns. I need to look in on the ice cream we’re producing and check the spring calves.

There’s never a dull moment at the Double B Ranch.

Just as I walk into the processing building, my phone rings, and I see it’s Abbi.

“What did we miss?” I ask by greeting.

“Uh, Beckett, there’s a cat in the bathroom.”

I scowl and stare blindly ahead. “Awhat?”

“A cat. Are you missing a barn cat?”

“How the hell should I know? Jesus, just let it outside. Sorry, Abbi.”

I hang up and stomp into the barn, where Brad’s seeing to one of our cows that’s had an infection.

“Are we missing one of the barn cats?” I ask him.

“I haven’t seen Morris in a few days,” Brad says. “Figured he was off hunting somewhere.”

“The assholes in cabin three had him.In the fucking cabin.”

Brad blinks and then laughs. “Poor Morris. He’s never been inside anything other than a barn in his whole life. Probably scared the shit out of him.”

“Let’s hope not because that’ll be one more fucking thing I have to pay to have cleaned up.”

Brad’s practically doubled over in hilarity, and I glare at the man.

“It’s not funny.”

“It’s hilarious.” He’s holding his side, trying to catch his breath. “I’m just picturing the look on that poor cat’s face.Let me out! Let me out!”

Okay, so it’s slightly funny.

I kick Brad out to feed the calves and see to Bessy myself. I can tell she’s hurting.

“I’m sorry, girl. We’ll get you fixed up.”

“Your brother’s here, boss,” Brad says from the doorway of the milking barn, pointing over his shoulder.

“Which one?”

“Me.” Blake walks into the barn and frowns at me. “You’re not ready to go.”

“Ready to gowhere?”

“To Birdie’s dance recital, dumbass.” Blake shakes his head at me. “Go get changed. We have to go.”

“Blake, I have too much shit to do?—”

“Nope,” Brad says with a grin. “We’ve got this. Go see that baby’s show. She’ll be sad if you don’t, and then we all will kick your ass for disappointing the peanut.”

Literally everyone connected with our family has a soft spot for Bridger’s daughter, Birdie. And who can blame them? She’s the best kid there is.

“Hurry up,” Blake adds, walking beside me to the house.

---