Page 40 of Roots of Redemption (Hicks Creek #4)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sutton

D oes he think I can’t handle this? Does he think I’m not capable of taking care of things myself?

I stomp through the barn, the warm scent of hay and the low murmurs of cattle surrounding me, but my mind is anything but calm. He’s so infuriating.

“Hey, boss, can you come here a sec?” Jared calls out for Wade.

I’m grateful for the distraction. Now he’s not following me.

My heart hurts as I replay his words in my head. I’m not sure what I’m really mad about. I just know that his words hurt when he told me that I was going off assumptions.

Does he not believe me? After all this, does he not trust my judgment? I blow out a long breath and try to figure out the emotions that are racing through me.

When Wade questioned me, I immediately went on the defensive. It’s like, as he was talking, it wasn’t Wade talking anymore; he was replaced with my father. All my insecurities from my dad resurfaced quickly.

I feel a teardrop slipping down my cheek, and I quickly brush it away. It’s a good thing that I realized I’m not mad at Wade so fast, right? At least now, I can work on understanding it.

I slam the latch on the feed bin harder than necessary, muttering under my breath. “Will I ever get past this?”

“Everything okay, Sutton?” Caleb’s voice startles me, and I spin around to see him leaning casually against the barn door, his baseball cap tilted back slightly.

“Fine,” I say, brushing off the irritation in my tone. “I didn’t realize you were back from school already.”

He steps closer, his boots crunching softly on the barn floor. “I heard about the diagnosis. Bovine respiratory disease, huh?”

I nod, letting out a long breath. “Yeah. It’s not great, but at least we know what we’re dealing with now. The meds are already being administered. I’ve got Doc Lucy hitting the other ranches, and I’m handling things here.”

“Do you know where it started?”

“No, still trying to narrow that down. So far, everyone has done everything they need to do to keep illnesses like this from spreading.”

“I heard the ag officer is threatening to fine whoever was the culprit.”

“I don’t know Dr. Reed personally, but from what I’ve seen, he’s all talk. He likes to scare people into conformity. I don’t think we’ll be able to pinpoint anyone. Everyone is so good about taking care of their herds.”

“Sometimes things happen.” He shrugs.

“Agreed.

“I heard about the trouble your dad is in.”

“Where did you hear about that?”

He shrugs again and glances down quickly. “I’m quiet and listen a lot.”

I blow out a breath.

“Buddy,” I sigh.

“I don’t want your dad to lose the ranch. He’s a good man. I know you have your problems with him, but…he was taken advantage of. A lot of people were and…”

“I’ll figure it out, Caleb.”

“You don’t have to do it all on your own, though. You’re part of our family.”

Why is he saying that? Does he know about me and his dad?

“I’ve got it under control, I promise.”

He hesitates, then pulls an envelope from his jacket pocket and holds it out to me. “I want you to take this.”

I blink, staring at the envelope like it might bite me. “What is that?”

“Money,” he says simply. “I know things are tight, and I want to help.”

This fifteen-year-old is handing me an envelope full of money.

My chest tightens, and I shake my head, stepping back. “Caleb, no. I can’t take your savings.”

“You can,” he insists, stepping closer. “And you should. Your dad’s a good man, and so are you. If this can help even a little, then I want to do it.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I swallow them down. “That’s… that’s incredibly kind of you. But I can’t accept it. You’ve got your own life, your own responsibilities. I won’t take from you.”

He looks at me, his expression earnest. “It’s not about me. It’s about you. And your dad. I know you’ll find a way to make things work, but I want to help however I can.”

I reach out and put a hand on his arm, squeezing gently. “You’re a good kid, Caleb. The best ever. And I’ll never forget this. But I won’t take your money. I’ll figure it out.”

He sighs, slipping the envelope back into his pocket. “All right. But if you change your mind, it’s here. Just say the word.”

I nod, giving him a small smile. “Thank you. Really.”

As he heads back toward the house, I take a few seconds to focus on my breathing.

This kid barely knows me, but Wade has done a great job raising him. He is willing to give me his savings to help save my family’s ranch.

Once I’ve finished with the herd, I return to the guest house, change my clothes, and grab my running shoes. I need to clear my head, and nothing does that better than a good run. The cool air greets me as I jog down the dirt path away from the barn, my thoughts swirling.

By the time I return, my muscles ache pleasantly, and my mind feels a little less chaotic. I’m wiping sweat from my brow when I see Wade standing by the barn, his arms crossed and his jaw tight. The moment he spots me, he strides over, his boots kicking up small clouds of dust.

Before I can say a word, he grabs me by the shoulders and pulls me into a kiss. It’s hard and desperate, like he’s trying to prove something. My heart skips a beat, but before I can process it, he pulls back, his eyes blazing.

Why is he doing this in front of everyone? Has he lost his damn mind?

“What the hell were you thinking?” he snaps.

I blink, stunned. “Excuse me?”

“Running out here by yourself? With a predator on the loose?” He gestures toward the woods. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”

I cross my arms, my irritation flaring back to life. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Wade. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

“That doesn’t mean you should take unnecessary risks,” he counters. “What if something had happened to you?”

“But nothing did,” I point out. “I’m fine.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?” I sigh. “I’ve lived next door for the majority of my life. I know these trails like the back of my hand. There’s always been a risk of a predator of some sort or even a transient being on those trails, too. I refuse to live my life in fear.”

“I’m not saying live your life in fear. Did you have mace with you? Did you carry your nine? You could have told any of us, and we’d have gone with you. You’re too stubborn.”

“And you’re overbearing,” I shoot back. “I’m not some damsel in distress, Wade. I don’t need you swooping in to save me.”

“I know that! I’m not trying to swoop in and save you in any of this! I am trying to keep you safe! I cannot bear the thought of losing you because you were attacked by some wild animal! I can’t bear the thought of losing you at all.”

Whoa. Those are some pretty heavy words to be announcing to the entire ranch.

Especially to Caleb, who is now standing against the barn, looking between the two of us in shock.

“I’m not a child,” I murmur as I cross my arms in front of my chest, just like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

I was spitting mad at him for making a scene in front of the entire ranch, but now, I’m terrified that he did this in front of everyone. It makes it real. There’s no going back on our feelings, especially since Caleb knows.

He lets out a groan that quickly turns into a growl. His expression softens slightly, but his frustration is still evident. “I know you’re not, Sutton. You’re stronger than most. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry about you.”

I sigh, some of my anger ebbing away. “I appreciate the concern. But I need you to trust that I know what I’m doing.”

He nods slowly, his gaze searching mine. “You can’t know what you’re doing when it comes to these predators. Whatever got the cattle isn’t scared to come up to the barn, which means…”

“I know what it means,” I say, waving my hand dismissively. I shake my head and start walking back toward the guest house.

I need a shower and food. Probably some more wine after this ridiculousness that he’s imposing on me.

“Damn it, Sutton. Could you stop being so damn stubborn for a few minutes and listen to me, please?”

“I don’t listen when someone is talking at me.

You didn’t even bother to take a breath long enough for me to answer your questions.

Yes, I was carrying mace and my nine. I only had one AirPod in on my run so that I could hear if anything was close.

I also am a single, very small woman who once lived in a college town and in the city; trust me when I tell you that I am always aware of my damn surroundings.

I’m not being stubborn. Maybe you should stop for a second and understand that I am not a child who needs to be scolded every five minutes. ”

“Sutton,” he calls after me as I continue making my way to the guest house.

“Maybe you should learn to trust me,” I mutter under my breath.

I can hear Wade cuss and his footsteps as he chases after me. I’m not stopping, though; I’m not in the mood for an I’m sorry or anything else right now.

I only want a shower and food. Possibly a nap, and none of those entail spending more time with Wade. I will not reward him for acting like this toward me.

I’m a freaking Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, for cripe’s sake. He just made a scene in front of the entire ranch. That one action could have just stripped all of my hard work and authority away. I won’t stand for that.