“Just having some fun.”
I shook my head. “Fun? You’re lucky you weren’t shot.”
It was the first time I had seen Cane look serious. “Sorry. Some of the guys and I thought it would be fun to get you a little riled up. A little welcome home hazing.”
“Damn it, Cane. Don’t pull that shit again. Not on my land. Do you understand? It could have gotten bloody last night. It could have been a fucking nightmare.”
The only thing that had kept me from patrolling the property was that I had Gretchen with me. I didn’t want to leave her alone and defenseless in the cabin. Cane was an idiot.
“I’m sorry. All right? It won’t happen again.” He lowered his head. “Do you want to stay for some coffee?”
“Yeah. I’ll take a cup.”
He marched in the house and returned with a cup of black coffee. Just the way I liked it. I sat on the stairs.
“Thanks.” It was hot. Exactly what I needed on a chilly morning. “Sorry I bit your head off.”
“I probably deserved it. I might have been a little drunk last night. I wasn’t thinking. I fucked up, man.”
I remembered what Gretchen had said about opening up. About talking to people now that I was home about my experiences at war. But Cane wasn’t that kind of person. Sure, he was someone I had childhood memories with. We shared family. We shared blood. But I didn’t share feelings with him. I’d rather talk to her. I should be waking up with her in my bed right now, instead of having coffee with him. Damn it.
“Since you’re here, maybe we could talk about the details of the lawsuit. I know you’re pissed, and I know you don’t want to get involved, but it might help, Brett. The family could use you. Everyone is scared.”
I huffed. “Tell me.” I sat and drank my coffee.
“Really? I wasn’t expecting that. All right. All right. Since you’ve been gone, I told you the Osborns have launched the suit to contest the land in your dad’s name.”
“I don’t know why they are bringing all this shit up now. This stuff was settled a long time ago.”
Cane shook his head. “You can blame Riley Osborn. He’s the one stirring it up. Since your Dad died and you left, he claims the rest of the family doesn’t have a right to live here and they want us off the land because the land was in your dad’s name.” He clears his throat. “They don't know about the contract, Brett.”
I jumped from my seat, my chest puffed forward. The coffee sloshed to my feet. “They can’t do that. I’m not dead. I’ve just been overseas. Serving my country.” I gritted my teeth.
Cane sighed. “They don’t seem to care. Riley has decided this is the time to take it to court. Your dad is gone. You’re not around. There is no one to prove that you are the rightful heir without the contract. It’s going to be contested unless you step in.”
“What? That’s fucking insane. I’m back. They can’t touch us as long as I’m here.”
Cane’s eyes lit. “So are you saying you’ll stay? You could end this entire thing. You’ll tell the Osborns you’re back? You’ll tell them about the contract? Will you present it in court?”
I grimaced then hung my head. “I didn’t say that.” He made it sound simple. It wasn’t.
“What is going on with you? This is your duty. This is your family. All you have to do is get married and the contract can be honored. The Osborns can back the fuck off. What the hell, Brett?”
Before I knew what I was doing I grabbed Cane by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall. My eyes blazed.
“Don’t question me.”
Cane gasped for air. “You’re willing to fight over there, but you won’t fight here?”
“I said to shut your damn mouth.”
“I’ve done all I could while you were gone, but I’m not you,” he hissed. “You’re here. And you need to put an end to this.”
“I’m not finished over there. I have to go back.” He didn’t understand my mission wasn’t complete. I couldn’t just shift priorities like he wanted. It didn’t work that way. I wasn’t wired to change course.
Cane pushed at my chest until, finally, I let go. Just like when we were kids. I’d always been bigger and stronger. He’d always been the one to joke his way out of situation. He never took anything seriously, and I was the opposite. Sure, he was like the brother I never had. But he was also a pain in my ass.
“I don’t know how you can talk about duty and honor and serving your country while there is a war going on in your own backyard. If you don’t do something, we’ll all be homeless and we’ll lose this land that has been in the family for hundreds of years.”