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“I can help more. Maybe do some of the range riding.”
“I don’t want you out there alone.”
“You let Felipe ride out alone, and he’s younger than me.”
“And he’s not my little sister.”
“Not that little, thank you.”
His jaw clenched. Nope. She wasn’t so little anymore. And if he were a better brother, he’d be making sure she was out in the world getting her chance to know men she wasn’t related to. Or men she’d known all her life, like Jasper. She’d have a chance at a future, at marriage, a family. Even if he couldn’t.
“Come on. Don’t treat me as a child. Tell me what’s going on.”
Maybe he should give a hint of what was going on. Break the ice slowly as it were. “That was the bank.”
“How is Millie these days?”
“Not as friendly as I’d like.”
“Ouch. She turned you down?”
“I didn’t ask her for a date.”
“Don’t be stupid. I know that. I also know who you should ask for a date.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Stop right there,” he said, even as a tiny part of him wanted to know more. “I’m talking about the bank, remember?”
“Fine.” She little-girl pouted. “What did mean Millie have to say?”
“She’s not mean, just doing her job, but …” A sigh escaped before he could stop it.
“I’m sorry, Jackson.”
“Yeah, well, if we can get Brutus to finally do his thing, maybe we’ll keep afloat.”
Her eyes rounded. “Things are that bad?”
“It’s not that bad.” Man. He hadn’t wanted to scare her. “Just things aren’t as good as they could be. I mean, it’d be nice to have the money to send you to Greece, but sorry, no can do.”
“What? You mean I can’t go on this trip I’ve never once thought about? You dream crusher.”
“That’s me.” He forced out a smile. “Mr. Dream Crusher, right here.”
Tease faded as her face took on that worried look he’d seen way too often recently. “Are we okay? Do we need to tighten our belts some more?”
He’d need to get out the nail gun and pierce another couple of holes in their belts for them to tighten anymore. “We’ll be fine.”In Jesus name.
She studied him a long moment, then finally nodded. “Speaking of fine, have you spoken to Mom recently?”
He shook his head. “I’ve been in here all day and missed her last night at dinner. Why?”
“I think we need to take her to the doctor again. She’s acting kind of weird.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. Just a bit off. I haven’t seen her like this for years.”
A bit off.
