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9
Ian
Ian rode beside the herd, his thoughts at home with Jessica. He shouldn’t have left like that. He’d planned on asking if she wanted to come along for this ride. She might have liked to get out of the house. Instead, he’d let his temper come to the surface.
There was something about being responsible for her that had made him forget himself. His stomach twisted. He really shouldn’t have spoken to Brock the way he had. He’d have to apologize for that later.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Cal came up beside him. He leaned on his saddle horn and grinned widely at his brother.
Ian groaned and glanced at his youngest brother. “What?”
“How long do you suppose Jessica will be staying?”
He opened his mouth, shut it, opened it again, then shook his head. “How would I know that?”
“You brought her here. I assumed you had a plan.”
His hands tightened on the reins he held. He hadn’t wanted to think about her leaving. His priority was keeping her safe. “She’s staying until I know she’s gonna be safe.”
Cal snorted.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“No. Say it.” Ian frowned. “Whatever it is. Say it.”
Cal shrugged. “There’s no guarantees. Jessica may avoid whatever this mess is by staying here, but that doesn’t mean she’ll avoid something else. So what’s therealreason you’re insisting on her staying?”
Ian cursed Brock’s name. Now he’d never hear the end of this. He could see it now. At some point each of his brothers would be asking him about his intentions. Did it even matter if he liked her? The point was she needed help. And did it hurt that he liked her a little? Of course not.
He sighed. “You didn’t see these guys, Cal. They were scary. I don’t know why they shot her boyfriend, but I knew I didn’t want to hang around and find out what they wanted to do to Jessica or me if we stayed.”
“But you like her.”
Ian groaned again. “She’s a very nice person.”
“You know that isn’t what I meant.”
Next time he saw Brock, he’d be sure to give him a little more than just a piece of his mind. Ian took off his cowboy hat and ran a rough hand through his hair. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Cal lifted his shoulder again. “’Cuz if you did, I wouldn’t blame you. She’s pretty, and she’s obviously strong. I just wanted to know so I could be in your corner when things get tough.”
He shot Cal a confused look. “What do you mean when things get tough?”
“Right now the vote is pretty even. Mom, Tate, and I have had no problem with her staying here from the beginning. What’s one more mouth to feed, right? But Sean, Brock, and Finn… well, they have their own reasons.”
“Finn doesn’t want her here?” He murmured the question, not expecting an answer, but apparently Cal hadn’t heard it that way.
“Yeah, something about not trusting her. You know he’s always had a hard time trusting people at first. He just doesn’t want a stranger lurking around.”
“She’s not lurking.”
Cal’s hands came up and he smiled. “I didn’t say it. He did.”
“But Sean changed his mind.”
