Brett glanced at Hudson in irritation. “Yeah? Well you'd better hope it doesn't come down to that. The state hasn't come to check on us in over six months. We're overdue for an inspection and if there's any animosity for them to see, the Bar K is toast. If that happens, we all get sent packin'."
Hudson sucked the inside of his lower lip and nodded. “In that case, one of those ladies is going to have to back down. Care to wager who it'll be?"
Brett struggled to keep his aggravation from showing as he lowered his voice. “You don't know Sinclair any more than I do and you sure as hell don't know Alex, so give it a rest."
"That's where you're wrong.” A crooked grin tilted Hudson's lips, which only served to fuel Brett's annoyance. “It's my business to know women. I know how they think and I know how they act. They are all alike—those two included. Trust me."
Brett didn't think he wanted to know what kind of business Hudson was involved in, but in a couple of hours he would find out regardless when they all gathered for Round Robin.
He glanced in Alex's direction and their eyes met. She forced a smile for his sake before returning her attention to her untouched plate. Brett frowned. Until now, Alex had never hesitated to show her healthy appetite. Something was deeply troubling her and he knew who was responsible.
"So, y'all really like it?” Sinclair gushed with a twinkle in her eyes. A series of affirmatives rippled through the kitchen area and her grin spread. “Great. I was hoping you would feel that way."
Alex rose and gathered her dishes. “How long until Round Robin begins?"
Jason eyed the amount of food being scraped into the trashcan and then at her. “At least another hour.” His eyebrows sloped with curiosity. “You should eat something. You worked hard today."
She set her plate in the sink full of hot, sudsy water and shrugged. “I'm not especially hungry this evening.” She flashed Sinclair a sweet smile. “I'm sure it was wonderful."
A light frown creased Sinclair's mouth as she folded her hands on the edge of the table. “Thank you, darlin'.” She added in a brighter tone, “Let's hope you're not coming down with something. You look a little sick."
Brett flinched and the smile quickly fled from Alex's face. He knew the comment had struck a nerve, but she was doing an amazing job of keeping her temper at bay.
"I'll take an extra vitamin.” Alex turned to her uncle. “I'll be working on the porch when you're ready to begin."
Brett threw a glance to the window. The sun had already set and soon the sky would darken into an inky black. She wouldn't be able to get much of the porch done, but he assumed that wasn't the point.
"I'll send one of the boys to get you,” Jason said and returned to his meal.
Alex slipped out of the kitchen, ignoring every curious glance she received.
Conversation resumed, but Brett paid it very little mind. He wasn't the only one with a preoccupied expression. Daniel had been silent through most of the meal and now that Alex was gone, his face clouded even more.
"I think I'll see if Alex needs a hand,” Daniel declared.
Jason peered up from his mug of coffee and nodded before lifting an expectant eyebrow at Brett.
"Go on,” he urged. “I know the tension's eating at you."
Brett pushed back in his chair and silently followed Daniel out of the kitchen. “What's up Danny? You haven't said more than three words all evening. Usually we have to tell you to shut up and eat."
"Then the break should be a welcome change."
Brett didn't laugh.
Daniel cleared his throat, unable to make eye contact. “I got a call from Mom today."
"And?"
"She told me Allen's folks are coming to San Eduardo in two weeks.” He drew in a deep shaky breath. “They'll be here on the fifteenth."
"The two year anniversary."
Daniel nodded.
"You need to see them, Danny."
"Yeah, but I wish I didn't,” he mumbled and twisted the knob to the front door. “All I know is I wouldn't forgive me if I were them."
He suspected Daniel would feel this way. He probably would too. At the same time, guilt would consume Daniel if he didn't address it.
"You're not them.” He gestured to the screen door. “Let's go pester Alex. That'll put you in a better mood."
"It certainly seems to brighten your day,” Daniel said with a laugh.
The two stepped out onto the porch to find Alex sitting on the porch couch, her legs drawn to her chest and her chin resting on her knees. She wrapped her arms around her legs and stared out across the empty grazing field.
"Suddenly, I don't think pestering her would be a wise idea."
Brett shook his head and strode toward the couch. No, teasing Alex was definitely out of the question. Given her distant expression, he envisioned getting her to open up would be out as well.
"Are you okay?"
Distracted, Alex rubbed the corners of her eyes and nodded. “Yeah, I'm just tired. That's what I get for not going to bed.” She turned her attention to Daniel. “You were awfully quiet this evening. Didn't your conversation with your mother go well?"
"Calls from home never go well.” Daniel managed a weak smile. “I found out I'm going to face my best friend's parents for the first time since the trial."
She popped to her feet with a quiet gasp. “Oh, Danny. Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?"
Daniel leaned against the railing and crossed one foot over the other. “I don't think there's anything you can do. I appreciate the offer though."
"You can practice what you want to say to them on me.” He hesitated and she quickly continued, “I mean it won't make it easier when the time comes, but it may help you become psychologically ready."
"You want to be my guinea pig?” He teased before glancing at Brett. “All right. I'll come up with something tonight and run it by you sometime tomorrow."
"Good. I'll be sanding the porch for the next three days, so you'll know where to find me when you're ready,” she replied and reached for the piece of sandpaper on the rail next to Brett.
Half expecting to feel her fingers brush against his, Brett was disappointed when she merely retrieved the paper and eased herself onto her knees. A low moan of pain escaped her lips and he frowned.
"Why don't you wait until tomorrow to do that? You're really not going to get much accomplished out here in the dark,” he suggested.
She shook her head. “It's cooler in the evening and I have the porch light to help me see.” She glanced at him from over her shoulder. “Besides, the best thing I can do for myself is to stay away from Sinclair. If I'm not around her, then I can't lose my temper."
Daniel pushed off the railing and crouched before plucking the sandpaper from her hand.
"What did she do four years ago that has you so bitter?"
She started to protest but thought better of it. Her shoulders sagged and she placed her palms on her thighs before sitting back on her heels.
"It's stupid really. Charlie already told me I should let it go, but whenever I look at her every ill feeling I ever had about that time comes back to me.” She tilted her head to look at them. “I just need a little time to get used to her being here, I suppose."
Brett wasn't convinced and one look at Daniel told him his friend wasn't buying it either. He sat on the couch and rested his elbows on his knees.
"What did she do?"
Her expression hardened. “Remember when I told you I was disqualified in the Miss Teen USA pageant?"
Brett nodded.
"Well, she's part of the reason why I was disqualified. She brought a couple of bottles of liquor to my room for my roommates and I to share. As soon we were drunk, she turned us in. We were disqualified and permanently banned from ever entering the pageant again."
Daniel let out a low whistle and glanced at the closed door. “Wow. That's pretty low. Of course you realize that just because it was there, didn't mean you had to drink
it.” When Alex sighed, he continued, “Unfortunately, Charlie's right. It really is in your best interest to let it go. If you let it eat at you, all you'll do is make yourself miserable."
"I suppose you would know, huh?” Alex relented into a lopsided grin and stretched out her hand. “May I have my sandpaper back? I really want to get some of this done tonight."
He eyed her wearily before shaking his head. “Take a break, Alex. You look exhausted and if you're not careful, you will come down with an illness. Where will you be then?"
She bit the corner of her lip before peering at Brett. A half-hearted chuckle escaped her lips as she used the couch to aid in pushing herself up.
"Laid up with a nasty cold, no doubt,” she agreed and breathed in the warm evening air. “If it's all the same, I think I'd like to sit out here for a few minutes before Round Robin begins."
Daniel shot Brett a knowing glance before going to the screen door. “I'll come get you guys when we're ready to start,” he murmured and disappeared inside.
"You should go to bed as soon as Round Robin is over. You had a hell of a night last night and today hasn't been much better."
As much as he wanted to spend a few stolen moments with her, he knew her physical condition wouldn't permit it. He watched as she leaned against the railing and absently rubbed her arms. At last, she peered back at him.
"Last night ended on an up note.” She returned her gaze to the field. “I won't be so lucky tonight."
What was that supposed to mean? He forced a nervous laugh while getting to his feet.
"Do you plan to argue with me or something?"
Alex lowered her eyes and shook her head. He closed the gap between them and turned so his back was facing the bunkhouse.
"The novelty of that has worn off,” she replied. “No, I just have too much on my mind right now."
"And you don't want to tell me about it."
She placed her hand on the railing, an electric pulse shooting through the tips of his fingers, up his arm and straight to his buzzing brain as her fingers brushed his. He laid his hand over hers, enjoying the feel of her soft skin against his work roughened palm.
"It's nothing personal.” She gripped his hand when he tried to withdraw. “Please don't go. My little sister called this morning and told me she has bad news, but couldn't go into it since my father was in the next room.” She darted a dark look in the direction of the door. “Between Sinclair playing me, my father's mind games and now worrying about my sister, I don't know how much more I can take."
Speechless, he peeked at the closed door before sliding closer and trailing the fingers of his free hand up her spine. He could feel the tense knots in her muscles through the silky material of her shirt and he released her hand in order to run his hands over her shoulders.
"Are you talking about earlier when she almost hit you with the screen door?"
"That too.” A flash of anger sparked in her eyes. “Do you have any idea how stupid I felt tonight at dinner?"
I knew it. He had a feeling Alex would take the raves about Sinclair's cooking as a personal attack and he'd been right. Suddenly, he was grateful he'd kept his mouth shut about the meal.
"Remember what I said last night about men being jackasses?"
Alex laughed.
"Well, it applies to tonight as well. Do you think any of us would deliberately try to hurt your feelings?"
"No, I suppose not.” With a sharp breath, she said, “But if Uncle Jason thinks for one minute I'm going to let Sinclair help me with the remodeling project, he's in for a disappointment. I'll do every bit of it myself before I ask her for help."
"And you're out of your mind if you think I'm going to let you tackle this yourself. I can be pretty handy with a paintbrush when need be.” He gestured to the house. “Hell, you'll be doing me a favor if you can get Hudson to help you."
Alex flashed him a wicked smile. “So, I'm not the only one who's having problems with the new inmates, am I?” Her smile broadened when he scowled. “I can get him out of your hair, but it'll cost you, cowboy.” There was a hint of seduction to her voice that sent a shiver racing down his spine.
"Oh? What, pray tell, would that be?"
"You're just going to have to meet me here tonight to find out."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Sixteen
An hour later, the group gathered in the living room to begin Round Robin. Alex eyed Daniel, noticing the haunted look had returned to his eyes. God, she hoped his meeting with his friend's parents went well. He needed to let go of his past just as much as the rest of them.
"Now for the fun part,” Jason announced.
Steven rolled his eyes and slouched in his seat next to Matt.
"I take it my humor needs work?"
"I wouldn't give this up to go into comedy if I were you."
A ripple of laughter accompanied Steven's comment with Sinclair's laugh being the loudest. Alex shifted her gaze and their eyes locked. A chilly smile touched Sinclair's lips as she nestled herself into the corner of the couch.
I should smack that grin off her face.
Charlie's voice brought her out of her sour thoughts. “I don't suppose we can go in reverse order tonight, can we?” Jason eyed him with curiosity. “Okay, so I don't want to go first. Sue me."
"I'll start.” She gave Daniel a reassuring wink when she noticed his grimace. “The sooner we tell our tale, the sooner it's over."
He gestured to her with a sweep of his hand. “Ladies first."
All eyes turned to Alex and she swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. The idea of broadcasting her mistakes to Sinclair left a foul taste in her mouth and rather than look the arrogant woman in the eyes, she stared at her lap.
"Originally, my father sent me here to learn responsibility. After receiving three OUIs in eighteen months, I dare say he was justified,” she began.
She glanced at the boys through her lashes. In the few short days she'd been at the Bar K, she'd learned much more than just how to clean a house. She'd discovered what it meant to be part of a family.
As she continued with her story, she felt Sinclair's cynical stare on her. She wouldn't ruin things for her uncle. She'd already made things difficult with Greg's visit and the fight that ensued. If it was the last thing she did, she wouldn't make things worse with her hate for Sinclair.
Just stay clear of her. She could do that. Truly, she only had to see Sinclair at mealtime and if she ate quickly, she could narrow that time even further. It was only for six months and then she would be gone.
Gone to where though? She would rather claw her own eyes out than return to Bangor to face Greg, but her sister had said she needed her. Mindy. What if something had happened to her little sister? She would be devastated.
In the back of her mind, she could hear Brett begin his story and her mind drifted to thoughts of him. He was truly unlike any man she had ever met. He was lovable, caring and stubborn to a fault. His honey sweet Texas drawl made her pulse race, while his strong arms and gentle touch left her weak in the knees.
She supposed she could stay in San Eduardo after her time was up. She had her uncle for family and she enjoyed being around the boys. If she did that however, she might not ever finish getting her degree. Being an architect had been her dream for years. Could she throw it all away to work on a prison ranch? Her answer? She didn't know. Her outlook on life had changed over the last several days and she wasn't sure of anything anymore.
"I guess that brings us to me,” Sinclair declared.
Alex snapped out of her thoughts and once more looked at Sinclair. Tension mounted when Sinclair returned the dark stare. Jason stiffened and was about to speak when Sinclair's expression brightened again.
"My story is rather embarrassing, really. I was out shopping with my younger cousins when I noticed the youngest wasn't with me. I panicked and ran out of the store to find her. Luckily, the little devil had only gone next door to the
toy store, but in all of the commotion, I forgot I was still wearing the necklace I'd been trying on. It wasn't until I got home and looked in the mirror that I realized what I'd done,” she explained.
Oh brother. Anyone with the IQ of a cumquat could see through this made-up tale, but as she glanced at the others, they all seemed enthralled by Sinclair's story.
Matt slouched in his seat and laced his fingers behind his head. “So what happened?"
Sinclair frowned. “I went to return the necklace, but no sooner had I entered the store then mall security came and informed me they were going to call the police."
With a dramatic sigh, she went on. “I'm no angel. I've shoplifted before and when the police pulled up my record and saw my prior offenses, they arrested me and charged me with theft. The DA pressed for the maximum sentence, stating I was a habitual offender."
Charlie shook his head in disgust. “That's wrong. Didn't they take into consideration the fact you were looking for your cousin?” Sinclair shrugged and he muttered, “It doesn't seem right."
Of course, it wasn't right. It was a lie. It was so obvious, how could they not see it? Alex didn't doubt the shoplifting charge, but that was about all she believed.
"My lawyer is appealing the case, but if it fails I'll be here for the next twelve months,” Sinclair said with a flick of her hand. “I dare say that will give me time to think about what I've done."
Twelve months? Sinclair would be there long after Alex left. She didn't like that idea. Maybe it was because she didn't like Sinclair, but deep down she knew it was because she didn't like the idea of her being alone with Brett.
Jason turned his attention to Hudson. “Your turn."
Hudson rubbed the back of his hair and let out a nervous breath. “You know, listening to everyone's story, I've come to the conclusion mine pales in comparison.” He dropped his hand to his lap with a plop. “I'm serving a nine month sentence for prostitution. I was a male escort for a company out of Dallas and when the cops arrested me, I had four grams of coke on me. I could have lied and said the drugs weren't mine, but what was the point? I was busted and I knew it."
"At least you admit it,” Steven stated in a casual tone. “Out of curiosity, was your occupation a result of your drug use?"
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