Page 29 of Dante
"Why the hell not?" Shoving from the table, she started pacing the small space. "What is it about me that makes men want to leave?"
She swung around and faced him as if demanding the answer to her question.
"I'm still here."
"You're my brother." She muttered.
"Precisely. And I've been here for you, always. You're beautiful, smart, and sensible, most of the time." He grinned at the look she slid him. "And I might have to point out that you're being irrational. The guy who made us was an asshole who took the easy way out, they both did. The bastard who left you did you a favor. And your boss..."
He gestured with his fork. "Has nothing to do with any of it. It's not personal to him. He's probably pissed that you kept such an important thing from him and is stewing about it. But your workspeaks for itself. He's smart enough to know that he has a good thing. And that's you."
She sat back down and blew out a breath. "I'm scared." She admitted shakily.
"I know." He reached for her hand and linked their fingers. "We've been through a lot. Insurmountable obstacles and we came out on top. I have no doubt that this time will be no different. I'm here for you, never forget that."
She smiled tremulously, her grip tightening. "Thank God for that." Sucking in her breath, she steadied herself. "Okay, I'm fine and suddenly ravenous."
"Nice weather."
"It's damn cold."
"Bracing." Spitting out the tobacco he had been chewing, Barry glanced over at the younger man, a bland expression on his plain face. The weather had played havoc with his skin, turning it leathery and dark, but he lived for the outdoors. Riding the range, managing the ranch, tending to cattle and the general upheaval and hard work that comes with it, suited him. He was married to the damn place.
Starlit Ranch had been in his family for generations. Until he had almost lost it due to bad investments and just plain arrogance. Until the boy he had taken in when he was only shy of seventeen and given a job had reached out to rescue him and the place.
You never knew who you were entertaining when you decided to give someone a chance. The gangly teenager was no more but had turned into a very powerful man. Slick and smart as a whip and handsome with it. He had funneled money into the place and now it was back to its former glory. He had also stayed out of the business end of it, leaving Barry to run things his way.
"Want to tell me what the hell burr you got up your ass?"
Leaning on the saddle, Dante smiled slightly. Barry had been a surrogate father to him and was the only one allowed to take certain privileges, such as talking to him like that.
"None. I thought I was free to come here as I choose." It was twilight and being on top of the hill afforded a stunning view of the wide-open land. Miles of green grass and trees with their leaves billowing in the stiff breeze.
"You can't fool me boy. Something's up with you."
"I'm taking a break." The horse twitched beneath him, pawing at the ground restlessly. "Just checking on things."
Barry's eyes narrowed. "The spreadsheet detailing the profit margin not good enough for you?"
Dante gave him a sideways glance that spoke volumes. "I will not grace that with a response. You know better."
"Yeah." Shoving the battered hat at the back of his head, he rubbed a hand over his face. "Something's up with you and I would like to think we're at a place where you can confide. Always was a closemouthed son of a gun." He muttered.
Dante grinned, feeling the problems rolling off him like a cloud. He had arrived yesterday after alerting Barry that he was en route, and the man had simply told him that his room was ready. And it had been, no questions asked.
"Does it have anything to do with that fancy piece you've been running around with?"
"No." He shifted in the saddle, forehead furrowing. Last night the bed had been comfortable, the sheets clean and soft, but his sleep had been restless. "Something to do with work."
"Like what?"
"A woman," he muttered.
"Isn't it always?" Barry grunted and noticed absently that there was a cut in the east perimeter fencing. Someone was going to have their asses chewed out over missing that little detail. "No wonder I stayed single. I thought you never messed with employees."
"I don't." He admitted and shifted again. "Which is pissing me off. I cannot get her off my mind. And there's a situation I have no idea how to deal with."
Barry was about to respond, when he lifted his head and sniffed the air.
