Page 113

Callan might like to think he’s mature, but he’s still only eighteen years old.
“You should be. You think I won’t toss you in one of your many lakes if you don’t start acting like this isyourlegacy? Won’t be one with a mineral spring either.”
“I’m not scared of water.”
“All the more reason to do it then.”
“You gonna waterboard me or something?”
“What?! This isn’t Guantanamo Bay! Jesus, Calder.”
“Then what’s with the threats, dude.”
“I like to call them incentives.”
“Pay us, that’d be an incentive,” he grouses. “Otherwise, it’s child labor?—”
Because that’s exactly what Callan would say, making me wonder why the hell he and my youngest brother don’t get along, I chuckle. “You’re not a five-year-old. Anyway, it’s your ranch?—”
“Look, we don’t want cash. Our truck’s busted and the mechanic won’t fix it without us paying upfront. We owe him too much.”
“So, you’ll work for your truck?” I query as he sinks into the chair again.
“Yeah, and none of us have to get wet. How were you going to shove us into the lake anyway?”
“Barrels.”
“That’s worse! Does my sister know you belong in the Spanish Inquisition’s hit squad?”
“I’m sure she thinks the worst of me as it is.” I arch a brow at him. “Theo will be implementing a schedule?—”
“Yeah, yeah. How long until you’ll pay the garage bill?”
“I won’t be paying dick. You’ll be earning your own wage so you can pay for it yourself. There are three of you so it shouldn’t take long.”
“Takes a genius to work that out.” Folding his arms across his chest, he huffs. “Can’t you just pay?—”
“No. I’d hate to be accused of using child labor,” I mock. “Do the work. Prove yourself?—”
“It’s our ranch.”
At his deepening scowl, I sigh. “Look, the contracts and arrangements aside, if you want to work on the ranch in management, then I’m not going to stop you, but you’ll have to prove yourself.
“This place is so deep in the red, your bill with Jim in town probably looks cheap. I’m not taking your legacy away from you. I’m protecting it so that there’s something left for future generations to have—including you and your brothers. You understand me?”
Calder’s gaze turns pensive. “I understand you. We have nothing to do with that weed farm.”
I grunt. “Good to know.”
“I mean it. I’d never do anything to risk the land. Not when this isMamie’s home. Anyway, if I got my ass hauled off to jail, the shock’d kill her. I know she’s an old bitch, but she’s fragile and I love her. I wouldn’t jeopardize?—”
Again, I hold up a hand. “I believe you.”
He sags in his seat. “Good. What are you doing about it, then?”
Not sure what it says about me that he already expects me to have a plan in place.
Of course, he’d be right.