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“Elijah. He can’t treat you like that. He’s not our father.”

“No, but he’s second in charge after Wade.”

“Who says?” Carter challenged. “What if one of us didn’t want this life? What if one of us didn’t want to constantly worry about where our next meal was going to come from or whether we’re going to have enough money to fix the tractor when it fails?”

Mason eyed his brother, then put the book down beside him again. “Are you tired of living here? Is that what you’re saying?”

Carter didn’t meet his eye. Instead, he raked two hands through his hair and collapsed back against his chair. “All I’m saying is that we haven’t really been given a choice. We’ve always been told what to do around here, and I’m getting tired of it.”

It wasn’t hard to read between those lines. Carter felt stuck. Mason couldn’t say he hadn’t felt the same way once or twice when he’d been a similar age. It was hard living in such a large family without a pair of guardians who were supposed to protect them. Wade and Annabel had done a decent job, but they weren’t their parents.

Mason leaned forward and gave his brother a hard look. “You’re not trapped, you know that, right? No one would stop you if you wanted to go.”

Carter’s eyes darted toward Mason. “Yeah, right. I bet you if I walked away, moved to the city, then Elijah wouldn’t let me come back.”

Mason shrugged. “That is something he wouldn’t have control over.”

“Wade neither. The whole point of living here, even when we couldn’t feed ourselves, was to stick together.”

Mason tried to interpret what his brother was upset about. Having a strong family unit wasn’t something to sneeze at. He wouldn’t be surprised if it only took a few days for Carter to realize what he’d lost if he took off one night. He’d come back with his tail between his legs and beg forgiveness.

“You think I’m being short-sighted,” Carter accused. “You think that if I left, then I wouldn’t hack it.”

Mason sat up straighter and shrugged again. “I don’t know what would happen. That’s the thing with taking chances. You never know.”

“Would you hate me for leaving?”

He laughed. “I can’t hate you, Carter. You’re my brother.”

“Would you let me come back?” That one was said quieter, almost under his breath. He stared at the floor this time. It looked as though he’d been through the wringer emotionally. “Even if I hurt you?”

Mason studied his brother. He was young. He was just searching for something—for a purpose. Hadn’t Mason been doing something similar just before Abrams offered him the job? He wanted to be able to provide for his own family someday.

For some reason, what Carter was suggesting was different. There was something in his voice that set off alarms in Mason’s head. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. Carter was going to make his own choices. Eventually, he’d have to learn for himself what those sacrifices would lead to.

“Of course, Carter. You’re my brother.”

Carter lifted his eyes, emotion shining through them. It was as if he’d already made a decision, though what that decision was, Mason didn’t know.

Scooting to the edge of his seat, Mason narrowed his eyes. “Are you planning on hurting me, Carter?”

The fact that his brother didn’t respond right away was all the answer Mason needed. Of course, Carter shook his head. “I don’t want to hurt you, Mason. I… just don’t know how much longer I can stay here. I… want to see the world, you know? I can’t live my whole life elbow-deep in horse manure.”

“I get it,” Mason said. “Sometimes you have to find out for yourself where you belong.”

“Yeah,” Carter said quietly. He got to his feet and headed for the door. As he reached the threshold, Mason stopped him.

“I love you, little brother.” It was something he’d said to several of the younger siblings, but recently, he hadn’t used that exact phrase.

Carter glanced back at him, nodded, and then disappeared into the hall.

Mason stared at the empty doorway, losing track of time. He probably should tell Wade about that conversation. Then again, it felt like a violation of privacy. In the long run, it wouldn’t matter what Carter wanted to do. He’d do it whether or not there was an intervention.

He just had to hope his little brother would come to terms with whatever he was struggling with and stick around to see just how much he was needed at home.

Mason glanced at his watch, then lurched into action. It was almost time for him to get Harley. Everything was in place, and she wasn’t going to expect a thing.

* * *