Page 27 of Redemption

Leo sighed. “Mads, it was one secret.”

“Two. You didn’t tell me you were dating Booby Barbara,” she sniped at him. “I had to find out from Insta!”

Oh shit, trouble in Best FriendParadise.

Leo smirked. “We’re notdating, exactly.”

Maddy’s mouth snapped closed and she huffed.

“Ahem,” I coughed, jerking my head towards Tilly, and glaring at Leo.

He ducked his head. “Sorry.”

“As I was saying, thank you for coming to Sunday dinner, which I propose to be a new family tradition by the way,” I started again but my mouth dried up. I had been stalling all weekend about telling them Jack would have the cabin. I knew Maddy wasn’t bothered but I didn’t know how the others felt. I should have checked with them before I agreed to it but I was desperate. I’d just let go the two ranch hands that were taking care of everything and now, we were officially fucked. Jack had suddenly turned into our savior and trust me, no one hated that more than I did.

I decided bringing everyone together in a family environment would be best, that way someone would protect me from any wrath I incurred, hopefully.

“I need to tell you all something—”

“You’re pregnant!” Daisy interrupted, gleefully.

“She needs to have sex to get pregnant, dummy!”

“Thanks Tilly,” I rolled my eyes, cheeks flaming.

“I knew she wasn’t getting any,” Maddy whispered, and the girls tittered until Leo knocked his hand on the table, drawing their attention back.

“This is hard for me to say but, while going through Daddy’s office I found some paperwork. Y’all know Daddy was visiting Jack Drayton? Well, it seems like they struck up a friendship and Daddy was looking out for Jack. He had the deed of the cabin transferred into Jack’s name, ready for when he got outta prison.” I paused, allowing time for this to sink in.

I met Maddy’s eye and she smiled softly at me,knowing that paper wasn’t signed when we last spoke and something had changed.

“So, what are you saying?” Daisy asked, caution in her tone.

I swallowed. “I’m saying that, as of tomorrow, Jack will be living in the cabin behind the house.”

I looked around, Leo wasn’t fazed and neither was Maddy, Tilly was already on her phone again and August just nodded sagely.

Daisy however, was another story. “Like hell!” she spat.

My hands started to shake, I knew I should have talked to them about it sooner. But I’d buried my head in the sand. I couldn’t help but feel I was making all the wrong decisions at the moment.

“Daisy, it’s a legal thing, we can’t—”

“We can and we will! I’m not having him here!” Her red ponytail flicked defiantly.

“I’m sorry, honey, but you don’t have a choice.” My words were firm. There was no going back. Was my butt sweating? It felt like it was sweating. Could butts sweat?

“First that damn Duke Raleigh, and now this?”

“Jack will be working at the ranch, for free, so he’s helping us out.”

“I hope he likes horses,” August spoke softly.

“I hope he gets too close to Marshmallow and he kicks him in the balls,” Daisy growled, folding her arms over her chest.

“Marshmallow would never!” August defended her beloved horse.

Leo snort laughed until I slapped the back of his head.

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