Page 14 of Red, White, and Ewe

On the other hand, if he didn't share with his sister, he could deal with his mixed feelings on his own without having to constantly answer her nosy questions.

"Why won't you tell me?" Scarlethuffed,fists firmly planted on her hips. "I won't bug you about it all the time, if that's what you're thinking."

Kaleb's lip curled. How she knew his thoughts continued to baffle him. The joys of siblings, he supposed. "Fine. Don't make a big deal out of it." He eyed her. "Promise?"

"I can't promise that if I don't know what's going on."

Kaleb quirked his brow.

"Fine," Scarlet huffed. "I giveyoumy word."

"I was helping Cinnamon get lunch together."

Scarlet squealed through her pursed lips. "I knew this was a good idea."

Kaleb held up his hand. "Stop. You don't know anything. I asked her if she'd be able to stick around on Sunday because the guests are staying one more day. She said no because she has a date."

A range of emotions danced across his sister's face. "A date?"

Kaleb dipped his chin.

"A date? Withwhom?" Scarlet's voice raised a notch.

Kaleb's eyes darted back and forth. "Sh. Quiet down. I don't want her to think she isn't allowed to have a personal life, or that I'm blabbing about her to the first person I see."

"Fine, fine." Scarlet lowered her voice. "Who's the date with?"

Kaleb shrugged. "Don't know. Didn't ask. It seemed too awkward at the time."

Scarlet nodded slowly. "Yeah. I can see that."

"Don't do anything about this. I'm only telling you because you're relentless."

Scarlet's eyes filled with pity. Kaleb hated that look. He'd gotten it from the people in town when his folks died, and then when they heard he'd broken up with Cinnamon. Compassion was one thing, but pity? He despised the feelings it aroused in him.

"Stop it, Scar. I don't need that."

"What?" She gave him an innocent smile. "I didn't say anything."

"You don't have to. I'm fine." Kaleb crossed his arms in front of him.

"You're not fine." Scarlet wrapped her arm around his waist, forcing him to unravel in order to return her sideways hug. "I know this bothers you, and I understand that. It bugs me, too."

"I'll figure it out," he mumbled.

"You always do." Scarlet tugged him toward the house. "We ought to put away the ax before one of the kiddos sees it and thinks it's a toy."

Kaleb nodded absentmindedly and trailed behind her. That was too easy. Normally, his sister spouted her opinions without thinking, often having to apologize for them. Not today. She simply hugged him and headed back to the house.

Whatever ideas floated in her head didn't bode well for Kaleb. And that bothered him. She promised not to make a big deal out of the news. He groaned inwardly. He never specified what making a big deal meant to him. He assumed she knew not to say a word to Cinnamon.

Unfortunately, that's not how Scarlet operated. She liked to find loopholes in her promises. Something he knew full well, and still, he let her word be enough.

Kaleb balled his fists at his sides. He should've kept his mouth shut and dealt with his issues regarding Cinnamon on his own, like he'd done over the last dozen years or so. But no. He confided in the one person who was not only close to Cinnamon but wanted them to get back together.

Kaleb yanked the ax off the ground. He grabbed a thick log and set it up.

"You're not done?" Scarlet's eyes widened.

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