Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

“Have you stopped to consider what is best for you?” Katie demanded. “You gave up so much to keep our business running after Dad died. Maybe it is our turn to sacrifice for you.”

Brody shook his head. “I didn’t give up a thing.”

“You could have moved away. Instead, you worked so hard to pay my college bills. You—”

“Enough, Katie. I’d planned to take over the trucking company long before Dad’s heart attack.” Brody stood and started pacing back and forth in front of her. “Taking care of you and Chad and Josh was not a burden. You’re my family. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t owe me a damn thing.”

“Yes, I do,” she said softly, her gaze fixed on the empty glass in her hands. “I want you to keep the business you worked so hard to build.”

Brody stopped in front of her. “Katie, look at me. You accused me of making decisions for you. But walking away from this deal because you think it is what I want—you’re doing the same damn thing.”

Her eyes widened as she stared up at her brother. Turning the words over in her tequila-addled mind, she realized he had a point. They’d both been so damn concerned with making sure the other got what they wanted out of life.

“I want to sell to Moore Timber,” Brody continued. “The deal Eric offered today . . . I’ll get to stay on and the company will be stronger.”

“You tore up the contracts.”

Brody looked away, running his hand through his hair. “In the heat of the moment, seeing you with Liam, knowing that bastard hurt you once, yeah, I did. I would have preferred to slam my fist into his face.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” she said.

Brody nodded. “He was trying to do the right thing. But you’re correct, we don’t have the right to decide that for you. Whether you take the job with Moore Timber or move to Montana—that’s your call. But whatever you decide, promise me that it will be what you want.”

“I promise.” She stood and wrapped her arms around her big brother, hugging him tight. “But first, I need some time to think.”

“And more tequila?”

Katie looked up at her brother. “Maybe. But it probably won’t help me make life-changing decisions.”

“Probably not.” Brody released her and picked up the bottle. “But you don’t have to decide anything today. Take your time. Figure out what is in your heart.”

Liam.

His name felt as if it had been tattooed on her soul. But how many times could she choose him knowing that when she offered her love, he might hand her back heartbreak?

Chapter 21

LIAM REACHED INTO the bed of his truck for his chainsaw and safety gear. Tossing the chaps over his shoulder, he turned to his Saturday afternoon project—limbing Marvin’s trees. After all that happened in the past week, it felt a helluva lot like penance.

“There you are!”

Liam turned and spotted his sister marching toward him.

“I didn’t realize you were looking for me.” He set the chainsaw down. “Everything OK?”

“Josh Summers was working with Craig’s crew today,” Georgia began, struggling to catch her breath. It sounded as if she’d run down from the main house on the property to the wooded area.

“That’s right. I saw him on the list I handed off to Craig yesterday.” Without the three-million-dollar payday, the Summers brothers still needed extra work. Liam felt guilty about that, running the deal into the ground. But he’d talked to Eric about getting the brothers back to the negotiating table—this time without Liam involved.

Knowing he’d failed—that stung. But handing his freaking heart over to Katie, and let her walk away with it, hurt a helluva lot worse.

“Josh had an accident,” Georgia said, ripping him from his thoughts.

“What kind?” Liam picked up his equipment and headed for his truck. “Shit, I knew the kid was pushing hard, driving trucks five days a week and working with our crews on weekends.”

Georgia rushed to keep up. “It wasn’t his fault. They were helicopter logging on the site. The pilot got sloppy and that big metal hook, the one that hangs down to carry the trees?”

“Yeah, I know the hook,” he said, tossing his gear in the back. “Get in and I’ll drive you back to your car.”