Page 23 of One Hot Summer

Chapter Fifteen

Kelsie

Icall my brother and come clean. He deserves to know about Carson and I. We are adults and we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. It didn’t take long before he tells me he’s on his way over and hangs up the phone. It makes sense he wants to talk about this in person.

I stand on the porch of Carson's ranch, my fingers tracing the railing as I watch the cloud of dust billowing behind Jake's approaching truck. Is he going to be furious? Yell? Cry? How can I prepare myself?

As Jake's truck rolls to a stop, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The familiar creak of his door opening is like a harbinger of the confrontation to come. I watch as he steps out, his movements deliberate and purposeful.

My brother's face is set in stern lines, his jaw clenches tight. But it is his eyes that makes my breath catch – there is a fierce protectiveness there.

“Hey, Kels,” Jake calls out, his voice carrying easily across the yard.

I raise a hand in greeting, forcing a smile onto my face.

As he strides towards me, I straighten. The conversation we are about to have had been brewing for weeks, simmeringbeneath the surface of our phone calls and text messages. Now, with Jake here in person, there is no avoiding it any longer.

“Look, Jake, I know why you're here. And I appreciate your concern, I really do. But-”

“But nothing, Kels,” Jake interrupts. “After everything you've been through, I just want to make sure you're not rushing into anything. That you're not setting yourself up for more heartache.”

“I know you want to protect me, but I'm not the same broken girl. I'm stronger now, and a lot of that is thanks to Carson and this place.”

Jake's expression softens, but I can still see the worry etched in the lines around his eyes. “I just don't want to see you get hurt again, sis. You've been through enough. Hell, so has my best friend. To be honest, I never expected him to want someone else.”

“I know,” I say, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “But sometimes, the risk of getting hurt is worth it for the chance at something beautiful.”

Jake pulls me into a hug. For a moment, I feel like a little girl again, safe in my big brother's arms.

“I’ve missed you, Kels. It’s so good to have you back in town. I’m sorry I have been working so much and have barely had time to see you. The company is doing good and I’m trying to get as much done as I can so I can take some time off to be with the baby.”

“Missed you too. I understand. You don’t have to apologize for anything.”

As we pull apart, I gesture towards the barn. “Want to take a walk?”

Jake nods, his eyes scanning the property. “Lead the way.”

We set off down the path, gravel crunching beneath our boots.

“This place suits you,” Jake says, breaking the silence. “You seem... happy.”

I smile, grateful for the opening. “It's been good for me,” I admit. “The work, the animals, the people – it's all helped me heal in ways I didn't expect.”

As we near the barn, Carson catches my eye in the distance, his broad-shouldered silhouette unmistakable as he works with one of the horses.

“And Carson?” Jake asks, his tone carefully neutral.

I take a deep breath. The barn door creaks as I push it open. “It's... complicated. But we are figuring it out.”

Jake turned to face me, his brown eyes serious and filled with concern. “Kels, I can't help but worry about you. I just want to protect you from any more pain.”

I lean against a post. “I know you do,” I say, my heart aching at the genuine care in his voice. “And I appreciate that, I really do. I'm not made of glass, you know? I won't shatter.”

Jake's expression softens. “I know you're strong. You always have been. But after losing Mom and Dad, and then the divorce… and then the fire…”

Jake's gaze drifted past me, his eyes narrowing as they fix on something beyond the barn door. I turn, following his line of sight. There is Carson. His strong, capable hands guiding a beautiful chestnut mare across the paddock.

“I’ve seen the way you look at him,” Jake's voice is low. “And the way he looks at you. I’ve tried my best over the years to ignore it. But it looks like you guys found yourselves again.”

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