One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

No fucking way I was going there with him. I looked out the passenger-side window at the grasses bending in the breeze. The wind would occasionally shake the truck, and occasionally, a small flurry would drift past.

“I hope Mom’s able to fly out before the snow comes.”

“We checked the weather. She should make her flight. I’m thinking about leaving when she does. If you’re serious about the desert, you should, too. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck here for the duration.”

I nodded, thinking about time and how it would go. He was right. “I’ll get online when we get back to the house.”

“You can stay with us in Wilmington until you leave.”

My elbow was bent on the door, and I rubbed my aching head. “Thanks. I’ll probably go to Chicago.”

We were back at the ranch, and pulling up beside the house, I saw my little brother and Elaine hugged up on the porch. I couldn’t stop a frown. Leaning for the door handle, I was just getting out when Derek stopped me.

“Hey, don’t fight with Patrick. He’s strong as I am these days.”

Squinting back at him. “Are you suggesting he could kick my ass?”

He cracked a smile. “I’m saying you’ve had a tough year. That wouldn’t make it any better.”

I just shook my head and got out of the truck, grabbed my duffel, and slammed the door before heading up the porch. I wasn’t planning to stop, but Elaine called out to me.

“Stuart!” I didn’t stop, but the fast clip-clop of her boots told me I couldn’t escape her. “Wait.”

We were just inside the house when I stopped. She almost ran into me, but didn’t. Instead she stood in front of me a second twisting her hands together.

“I wanted to tell you...” She paused as if trying to find the right words. “Blaming Mariska for what happened is a big mistake.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I started to go, but she caught my arm and pulled. I was surprised at how strong she was.

“If you’re going to be my brother, you can’t think the worst of me.” Green eyes held mine, and I couldn’t miss the worry reflected there. “She wanted to leave. That first night, she totally panicked. I think she realized how crazy it was coming here.”

“She panicked because she lied.”

“She panicked because she’s young and impulsive, and she really cares about you. I made her stay because I thought it was romantic.”

“You should’ve trusted her gut.”

“She wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

My body was still sick from last night, and my insides were twisted and painful. Her words only wound the frustration and anger I felt tighter, and I still hadn’t had time to think.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m heading out as soon as I can line something up.” Elaine’s shoulders dropped and she looked like I’d kicked her favorite puppy. I reached out and patted her arm. “I won’t hold it against you. Don’t do it again.”

Her lips tightened like she might try to argue with me, but I walked fast toward my side of the house. I had work to do online.

Chapter 14: Change of Plans

Mariska

Pete leaned over the bar to peek at the sketch I’d returned to in my recipe book. “I didn’t know you did portraits.”

Snatching the book back, I flipped a few pages over my drawing. “I don’t.”

“Who was that?”

“Nobody. It was... a homework assignment. We were supposed to see how well we could draw from memory.”

His brow lined, and I could tell he didn’t believe me. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t interested in explaining Stuart or discussing any of it with him.