Page 25 of Unraveling Rain
I can’t help but chuckle at her sass, but I hide my amusement with a cough.
“How did you know I was here anyway?” she asks the man who now stands right in front of us.
He’s tall, but I easily have three inches on him. He’s wearing a beanie, so I can’t see his hair, but his eyes are the same shade as Rain’s.
“The motion sensors picked up movement,” he says, eyes narrowing on me. “When I checked the video, I saw notonly your van but also a car I didn’t recognize, following you closely.”
I straighten my shoulders, making myself look taller while sitting. I don’t know who he is, but I’m not going to shrink like a coward, especially when Rain is standing up for herself.
“Damn, Hotshot. We should’ve left your car in town,” she says, winking.
The man growls, but her wink pulls a smile from me.
“Rain, I really don’t want to say it, but I worry about you,” he says, stepping closer. “One day I won’t be able to come check on you, and then what?”
Rain rises to meet him, though he’s at least five inches taller.
“Then I’ll deal with the consequences, River. You can’t keep babysitting us all forever,” she says, her voice sharp.
This is clearly a family matter, but I can’t just sit here without saying anything.
“Look, man. I know you don’t know me, but I can assure you I don’t want to harm Rain. We were just chatting,” I say, trying to keep my tone calm.
He looks me up and down, but says nothing to me. His attention snaps back to Rain.
Fuck, okay. He’s just going to pretend I’m not here?
“If you don’t want me to babysit, then maybe go chat with your friend somewhere else,” he says, turning away.
But what comes out of Rain’s mouth leaves us all rooted to the spot.
“Fuck you, River,” she says, her voice steady. “I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman who knows how to take care of herself. Xander is one of Ruin’s patients, and he’s a good guy.”
She steps in front of him again and places both her hands on River’s chest.
“I’m going to tell you this—with all the love I have for you—one last time…”
My muscles tense in anticipation. I don’t think he’d hurt her, but just in case, I’m ready to throw some punches.
“Back. The. Fuck. Off.” She pushes him back with each word.
He doesn’t resist. He simply lets her push him.
“This is my orchard too, and I’m not doing anything wrong,” she adds.
River nods as he walks backward. “Understood,” he says at last. Then he turns to me. “I apologize for judging you without knowing you, but one can never be too cautious when taking care of the family. I hope you have a good stay at Serene Lookout.”
I nod, and he walks off into the night.
Once he’s out of view, Rain’s shoulders sag, all the fight leaving her body.
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
I walk over and wrap my arms around her back.
She hugs me back immediately, holding tight. When she looks up, her eyes are watery.
“Hey, it’s okay. He was just being a good big brother.”
