Page 23 of Ashes of the Past
I shake my head, focusing on the task at hand. There’s work to do, and I’m not about to let some punk like Lane distract me from getting it done.
About fifteen minutes later, Brynn walks out into the stables.
“Paulo, can you give us a minute?” she asks as she crosses her arms in front of her chest.
Don’t look down, don’t look down. Eyes on her face.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Paulo scurries off, and I continue mucking the stall. She clears her throat.
“You were right to fire Lane.”
I almost drop the pitchfork I’m using because I’m so shocked by what I’m hearing.
“Excuse me?”
“I said you were right to fire Lane. He’s a liability, and we only kept him around for Olivia’s sake. Truth is, Olivia doesn’t even like him, but, you know, that whole thing about putting up with family because they’re family,” she says, almostdismissively, as she glances down at the ground. “Unfortunately, his brother won’t see it the same way and…”
“His brother isn’t my problem unless he makes it so,” I say as I turn around and look at her.
She pulls back a little with wide eyes, her mouth opening and closing as if she’s shocked by my abrupt answer. I can hear a truck running outside the barn.
“Doc Sutton or my sister is probably here to take a look at one of the mares. It seems Lane was doing more damage than good.”
“What do you mean?”
“I watched him almost punch one of the mares in the head. That was the final straw of why I fired him. Then I find out that he injured another one, and the gash on her leg looks infected.”
She lets out a groan. “Olivia told me she saw him kick Barney, and I…blew it off, so…”
“Who’s Barney?”
“Her dog. He’s always barking and growling like a rabid dog when Lane’s around. It would make sense why now.”
Joanne walks into the barn with a giant grin on her face.
“Well, hey, brother! Hey, Brynn!”
“Sis,” I say with an inward sigh.
I notice my sister’s eyes darting between the two of us excitedly.
This is going to be fun.
Chapter Nine
Brynn
“Ihope you don’t mind that the kids came along. They wanted to say hi to Olivia. They’re up on the porch playing now.”
“That probably made Olivia’s day,” I reply. “She’s got so much to do out here, but I think she gets bored without any kids around.”
Joanne grins, leaning against a post. “Figured it might. Ava and Bret have been bouncing off the walls all morning. Thought it’d be good for them to get out.”
“Well, they’re always welcome out here. Y’all should stay for lunch. We’re going to grill some burgers and hot dogs.”
“Oh, I couldn’t intrude without having brought anything.”
