Page 101 of Redemption

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” She spoke softly but there was a lethal edge to her voice. “You fuck with that woman in there,” she pointed towards the house. “And you fuck with me.”

“Listen, Gertie, you don’t understand—”

She poked my shoulder, her face coming into the light and I spotted the bruise around her eye and the cut on her lip. She’d clearly been through her own version of hell recently.

“No asshole,youdon’t understand. My girl just came out here to put her heart on the line and I’m guessing from her tears, you didn’t take care of that heart, did you?” she spat.

The knowledge that Kat was so upset tore me up inside. “It’s for the best.”

Gertie snorted. “Says who?”

“Says me!”

“I call bullshit. What’s your ish?”

“My ish?”

“Your issue? We’ve all got them, what’s yours?”

She had a lot of balls for someone so tiny. “That’s none of your business.” I brushed past her, careful not to hurt her and went into the cabin. Teddy barked like a madman when he saw Gertie and although I tried to shut the door, she hip-checked it and busted her way in. She cooed to Teddy who immediately quieted and rolled over, showing her his belly.

“I’ve never seen her like this, Jack. You’re special. And I’ve only known you one day but the way you were trudging around the ranch like someone stole your favorite toy tells me she’s special to you too. So help me understand why you’re not having make up sex right now?”

I rubbed my hands over my face, still damp with sweat from the run that didn’t help at all. “It’s complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it for me. My beauty may be bruised but I’ve still got brains, I can figure it out.”

I snorted, she was a pistol all right, and I found myself admiring her guts. “I can’t be with her, it wouldn’t work so it’s best we end things now.”

“Why?”

“Because I killed her mother!”

Gertie shrugged. “And?”

I gaped at her, my eyes and mouth as wide as each other at her nonchalance. She rolled her eyes and bent down to rub Teddy’s belly. “Look, what happened, happened. No one can change it but it’s already damaged everyone enough. You’re going to let it stop you both from being happy? It’s clear she’s forgiven you for it, seems like the whole family has.”

“I can’t forgive myself.”

“Ah, I see. Survivor’s guilt?”

I shot her a weak smile. “I just call it guilt.”

She straightened and stepped over Teddy and the shattered diorama but didn’t spare it a glance. “Have you ever done anything about it?”

I shook my head. “Like what?”

She threw her hands up, exasperated. “I don’t know, like try and move on? Go to therapy and work through it?”

I looked away from her bright, penetrating stare. She was annoying me now, asking me questions and acting like everything was so damn easy.

“Imma take that as a no?” she pressed.

I huffed out a breath. “No.”

“Well, Mr. Smarty Pants, why don’t you start there and do it fast, before she sees you’re not willing to fight for her and finds someone who is.” With that, she gave me a once over and shook her head before she stomped out of the cabin.

When she was gone I slumped down onto the couch. Teddy immediately got onto my lap and peered up at me panting, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. I stroked his head and found myself relaxing. Teddy was a bit like a therapy dog, he calmed me and gave me a sense of purpose.

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