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I’d always had a thing for broad shoulders, and West’s were even more drool-worthy without clothes on. Combined with his lean muscles and the patch of dark hair on his chest, I almost forgot why I disliked him so much.
Avery spotted me first and ran toward me as she waved. It gave me time to close my jaw and erase any sign of desire from my face. Because lusting after Weston Wolfe was something I needed to avoid.
When Avery was close enough, the little girl said, “Daddy’s fixing the fence today. He said we couldn’t let any stray or lost animals get inside.”
I finally looked back at West, and he’d stopped working for a second to take a drink of water. I most definitely didn’t watch his throat work as he swallowed. Nope.
He said, “You should’ve repaired this a long time ago, Emilia.”
I straightened my shoulders, unwilling to bend at his firm tone. However, I didn’t want to fight in front of his kids, so I said to Avery, “How about you go play over there with your brother for a little while, sweetie? I need to talk with your dad.” She glanced between us and then ran to her brother. Still, I kept my voice low once she was out of earshot. “I didn’t even know it was damaged, so how could I have gotten it fixed? In case you haven’t noticed, I have a thriving business to run and don’t have time to frolic in pastures.”
“Maybe not every day, but surely you come out this way sometimes? Even for just a walk? You never liked to be inside all the time as a kid.”
I was surprised he remembered that. But things had changed since he’d left, and just walking out to the former pasture today had taken every bit of strength I possessed. Especially since all I wanted to do was run in the opposite direction and avoid memories of my childhood. “I’m super busy, if you hadn’t noticed, and I don’t have a lot of time to hike around. I only came to check on the twins.”
His eyes looked me over, and I resisted crossing my arms. I was wearing one of my work outfits—black skirt, bright-pink flowing top, and a simple necklace with an opal pendant.
He took his time taking me in, and it almost felt like he was caressing me with his hands, which made my nipples hard.
Stop it.It wasn’t as if anything would ever happen. Not only were relationships not for me, but the Wolfe family were my family now. I should think of him as my brother.
Except West hasn’t been around the last sixteen years, and you most definitely don’t think of him as a brother.
Pushing that thought aside, I strode toward the fence. “You don’t have to do this, you know. I can hire someone to repair it.”
“Why didn’t Rafe fix it before you inherited the property from him? The rusted wire tells me it’s been like this a long time. And your brother could’ve more than afforded it since he’s a world-famous soccer player, for fuck’s sake.”
I had reached the fence and froze. I didn’t talk about my older brother. Ever.
Comfortable with anger instead of regret and guilt, I narrowed my eyes at West. The man who had, many years ago, been close friends with my brother before Rafe left town. Maybe he still was. “I appreciate you fixing the fence, but I didn’t ask for your opinion. And if you’re merely here to report back to Rafe, then you can fucking leave right now.”
“There’s the girl I remember.”
Not letting my cheeks heat, I barked, “What the hell are you talking about now?”
“When you were younger, you were always strong and determined and unafraid to stand up to anyone. But since I’ve returned to Starry Hills, you’ve been more reserved, unless you’re with Abby. I prefer the younger version of you.”
Maybe if he hadn’t delivered it as a backhanded compliment, I might’ve acknowledged how I missed that version of myself too. The one that had died the day I’d woken up in a crumpled car, screaming for my parents but never getting a response.
Mindful of the kids, I growled softly, “Fuck you, West. Just fuck you.”
I turned and stalked off. I made some half-assed excuse to the twins about needing to get back to work, even if I had another two hours before the wedding party would arrive.
Taking deep breaths as I went, I carefully packed away the memories, storing them inside the mental box I’d learned to make. I rarely suffered PTSD or nightmares any longer, but I wasn’t going to risk them returning if I could help it.
By the time I reached my office, I was mostly back in control of myself. But instead of finding some much-needed solitude, Abby sat at my desk, looking over something. However, as soon as she noticed me, she stood. “What happened?”
Abby, the friend who’d never, ever given up on me. Not even when I’d tried to push her away, not wanting her to also get hurt because of me.
My eyes heated with tears, but I cleared my throat and took a second to steady myself. I hadn’t broken down in front of someone in years, and I wasn’t about to do it again. I’d caused the pain in my life, and I had to live with it. End of story.
I replied, “Just West being West.”
Abby searched my gaze. Since she towered over me—she was nearly as tall as her brothers—she had to crane her head down. Eventually, she sat on the edge of the desk, putting us nearly at eye level, and raised an eyebrow. “If you think I’m going to let you stop there, you’re crazy.”
With a sigh, I grabbed the water bottle on my desk and took a long drink before I could reply. “He mentioned Rafe. Hearing his name shouldn’t still bother me, but apparently, it does.”
Abby reached out and took one of my hands. “I know it hurt when he declined custody of you all those years ago. But that is your brother’s loss and my gain because I finally got a sister when you moved in with my family.”
