Page 116 of When the Storm Breaks
“Then do you mind telling me why you handed me the deed to the Armacost ranch?” Wrapped in a fucking bow, might I add.
“Merry Christmas.” She gave me a big smile, still not understanding that I didn’t see this as a good thing. Then she hastened to add, “It’s not what you think.”
I threw my hands in the air. “Oh, here we go again. That’s what you said when you were planning to record a duet with the douche.”
She planted her hands on her hips and stared me down “Do you remember when you told me you wished you could rescue all the horses? But you didn’t have enough land?”
“That wasn’t an invitation for you to go out and buy it for me,” I said through clenched teeth. “Are you trying to rub it in my face that you have more money than me? I don’t want your fucking charity.”
“Well, as a matter of fact, itisa charity.”
My eyes narrowed on her. “What are you talking about?”
“Gideon helped me set it up. Actually, he did all the work. Submitted all the paperwork and… well, it’s all set up as a not-for-profit horse rescue. And Jude said he can help with the volunteers. We did the research and working with horses is really good therapy for veterans with PTSD. Don’t you see? You can make your dreams come true and you can help so many horses and people and… I have the resources, Brody. How could Inotdo this?”
I didn’t have an answer for her. On the one hand, I couldn’t believe she’d done all this for me. On the other hand, I hated feeling like a charity case. I hated it that she had the money and the resources I didn’t. “I’m supposed to be the one taking care of you.”
She laughed like that was a great big joke then slugged me on the shoulder. “What century do you live in, Cowboy?”
“Doesn’t matter what century it is. Some things haven’t changed. I’m the man. You’re the woman.”
“Wow. You’re still so good at figuring out the different genders, Tarzan,” she teased. “But I don’t see your point.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “What part don’t you get?”
“The part where you won’t accept that money is not what I need from you.”
“Put it in your own name. I want no part of it.”
“Seriously? Do you know how ridiculous you sound right now?”
I glared at her. “Now I’m ridiculous?”
“You’re acting ridiculous. I don’t know the first thing about horses.”
“I want your name on that fucking deed. I’ll work for the non-for-profit or whatever the hell you set up. But that land doesn’t belong to me.” I pointed my finger at her. “It belongs to you. You shouldn’t have done this.”
“Well, I did. And I don’t regret it. Not even a little bit. It’s a good thing, Brody. You’re just looking at it all wrong.”
“Dad?” a voice from behind me said.
Who the hell was Dad?
I turned to look at Noah. “Dad?”
He nodded. “It’s cooler. I’m not a baby anymore.”
“Next thing you’ll be asking to borrow the car,” I muttered.Slow down. Don’t grow up so damn fast.
His brow furrowed. “You have a truck, not a car.”
Kids were so literal. “What’d you need?”
He crossed his arms over his small chest and scowled at me. “You shouldn’t be mad at Shy.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because she wants you to be happy. And she wants you to fix all the broken horses.” His gaze swung to Shiloh. “Right, Shy?”
