Page 26 of Redemption

“Wait, I…argh!” she huffed and kicked at the grass before turning those cold eyes on me again. “I have a deal for you.”

I held up my hands. “I don’t wanna take anything from you, or your sisters. Ican’t.” I hoped she saw the plea in my eyes but if she did, her expression didn’t change.

“Well, it’s not wholly one-sided.” She exhaled. “Come with me.” She didn’t wait to see if I followed, just turned and headed off, detouring around the sideof the house. After a moment, I went after her, intrigued to see what she wanted. Also, half-expecting a firing squad to greet me behind the house so I was pleasantly surprised to see an old, rundown cabin. My heart leapt into my throat. This wasthecabin. What would have been mine if Charlie was still alive.

Kat stopped in front of it. “This is it. It needs a lot of repairs, which isn’t something I have time to do.” She ran her eyes over me and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every second of her perusal. “But you look like a big boy, I’m sure you can fix it up.” Ignoring the way her lips moved when she saidbig boy,I blinked in confusion.

I pointed to the cabin. “Wait, you want me to fix it up?”

She shrugged. “If you want, or just live in it the way it is. Just be prepared for the bears to join you for snuggles in winter.” Her lip twitched at her joke, and I swear I heard theHallelujah Chorus.

“I’m confused, you want me to live here? You’re giving it to me?”

She sighed again and nodded, looking at the ground. “It’s what Daddy wanted, obviously.” She waved the document at me. “I don’twantyou here. But I might need you, this is why it’s not entirely a one-sided thing. I’ll give you the cabin, let you sign this paper, if you repair it and also,” she trailed off, looking away and nibbling her lip. “Also help out here at the ranch.”

My mouth dropped open. She’s offering me a job and a home?

“For free,” she added quickly.

I stared at the cabin, unable to believe the offer, the luck I was having. I looked towards the sky, blinking in order to stop any tears from forming. I never expected this, neverdeservedthis and couldn’t believe that she waswilling to give me this place and work. She was chattering away but I couldn’t focus on anything except to say, “I’ll take it. Anything you want.”

Her mouth snapped shut. “You’ll work for free?”

“Yes, I don’t care. I’ll do whatever you want, whatever you need.” This was how I could make it up to her, make it up to Charlie and all the girls. It was my penance. And for a moment I thanked my lucky stars that Charlie raised such amazing women.

“Okay,” was all she said before she headed around me and back up towards the house. I stared at the cabin a little while longer, not knowing if I was expected to follow her. I gazed around the land, the trees lining the back of the property, my new home and this ball of ecstasy built in my chest.

A moment later, Kat was standing in front of me again and she had a pen.

“Sign it,” she grunted, shoving the paper into my chest and snatching her hand back.

I arched a brow at her, grabbing the paper. “You sure?”

She nibbled her lower lip again and my gaze followed her tongue as it swiped over her mouth and disappeared. She nodded. “Just, can we wait until next week? Give me the weekend to break the news to the girls? I don’t know how they’re going to feel but…it’s the right thing to do. Daddy wanted you to have it and I want to uphold his wishes. And we need help around here but can’t afford it.” She snapped her mouth closed like she hadn’t meant to share that with me.

“Sure. If it helps at all, I saw August at the library, and she seems nice.”

“She is. They all are,” she said, and I caught the warning in her words.Stay away fromthem. Message received loud and clear. I glanced down at the paper and hesitated for a second before signing and I handed it back to Kat.

She cleared her throat. “Okay, well, see you Monday then.” Then she was gone.

I stayed for a moment, inspecting the outside of the cabin, trying to assess what needed doing and building a list in my head. Excitement fizzled in my veins like nothing I’d ever experienced.

I headed back into town and to the library.

I needed to learn how to ranch.

CHAPTER NINE

Katarina

“Thank you all for joining me this evening,” I began, staring into my sisters’ sweet faces.

“I already don’t like what’s happening right now,” Maddy piped up.

“Should I be here for this?” Leo asked, glancing across the table. We sat three on each side.

Maddy clanged her cutlery down on the table. “Why? Should you be somewhere keeping more secrets?”

---