Chapter 44
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The week after my walk with Shadow settles into an unexpected routine.
Every morning, hammers echo across Falling Sky while the new barn slowly replaces the one Manny burned to the ground. Every evening, the four of us collapse around Santiago’s kitchen table for dinner before arguing over whose turn it is to wash dishes.
The investigation also never really stops.
Walker comes home with another stack of files almost every night. Levi disappears to compare timelines or review autopsy reports. Santiago rides fence lines with the wranglers during the day and somehow still finds time to help Walker chase leads after dark.
The guys haven’t officially taken me off the case, but every time I try to help, they steer my attention in a different direction.
Then there are the cameras.
After someone followed me down the south trail, Walker refused to leave anything to chance. Trail cameras now watch every road into Falling Sky, the creek crossing, the tree line, and nearly every game trail leading onto the property.
According to Walker, no one is setting foot on the ranch again without us knowing.
I tell myself they make me feel safer, but really, they remind me that someone is still out there.
The smell of fresh-cut pine greets me before I even step inside the barn’s skeleton. Sawdust floats through shafts of Sunday afternoon light filtering between the rafters. The big sliding doors are wide open, allowing a cool winter breeze to roll through.
A week ago, this place still smelled like smoke. Today it smells like lumber.
Apparently, healing has a scent.
I stop in the doorway and watch my three men work for a minute. The construction crew doesn’t work on Sundays. Walker cleared them all himself last week after the unfortunate incident on the trail.
I refuse to label it as anything other than an unfortunate incident right now.
Walker’s face is so close to a level he balances on the wall, I’m surprised he doesn’t go cross-eyed. Levi and Santiago work together to hold up a giant framed wall.
Walker squints at the bubble in the level. “A little more.”
Santiago and Levi grunt as they adjust the wall.
“A little more.”
More grunts.
“More.”
“You’re going to have to be more specific,” Santiago murmurs in a strained voice.
Levi groans. “You two stop your yammering before one of us drops this thing.”
“You’re doing it wrong,” Santiago criticizes Walker.
Walker snorts. “I’ve been building barns longer than you’ve been alive.”
“Lies!” Santiago accuses. “You’re only a year older than me.”
“It feels true,” Walker grumbles.
I don’t interrupt. Watching the three of them bicker has become one of my favorite pastimes. They fight like family. Five minutes after they threaten each other with bodily harm, they’re laughing as if nothing happened.
Santiago notices me first and smiles immediately. Walker gives me a quick glance. Levi blushes.
I wave in greeting. “Hey, guys! How can I help?”
Their heads swivel to each other. They have an entire conversation with just eye squints, frowns, and arched brows. They don’t utter a single word. They nod to each other, coming to some sort of an agreement.
Walker snags a few bulky Folger’s coffee cans. “We need these separated.” He plunks them onto the concrete at my feet.
Peering down, I find each can filled to the brim with a variety of nails and screws. I do a slow blink. “That’s the job you’re giving me? Organizing nails?”
Levi guffaws unrestrained. “I’m not giving you a hammer.”
I frown at him. “Why not?”
“We don’t need anyone getting hit in the head,” Levi remarks.
I cross my arms. “Human heads don’t look like nails. I think we’re good there.”
Walker quirks a brow. “Between the three of us, we’re bound to say something stupid. Something that will probably warrant a hammer to the head.”
“Speak for yourself,” Santiago smirks.
Lowering myself to the concrete foundation, I cross my legs and start sorting.
The bang of hammers turns into a cadenced tune that fills the comfortable silence. Every now and then, one of them asks for another board or a handful of screws for the wall blocking, and I retrieve it for them.
Without realizing it, I fall into their rhythm, finding where I’m comfortable.
Martha’s words of caution from last week drift to the front of my mind.
The history between those four is complicated.
My indecision to bring it up causes me to drop a two-by-four on Levi’s hand. He gives me a deadpan look as he tries to shake off the pain.
Levi mutters under his breath, “And you wanted me to give you a hammer.”
My eyes dart all over the unfinished space, and my toes curl in my shoes.
"I need to ask you something,” I blurt out.
The three of them freeze.
Santiago holds a hammer in the air, ready to swing it at the nail in his other hand. Levi slowly sets his drill down. Walker straightens from his stooped position, leaving his tools on the ground. They face me together, standing side by side.
Santiago’s eyes narrow skeptically. “I’m not sure I like where this is going.”
“You can tell me it’s none of my business if you don’t want to answer,” I reply, holding up my hands in defense.
“Why don’t you talk to Grant anymore?”
No one answers.
Santiago doesn’t even try to hide his surprise. Levi’s expression is grim. Walker empties his of emotion.
The emptiness of the barn has never felt so full.
Three pairs of eyes meet, silently passing the conversation between them before anyone speaks.
My stomach tightens.
Whatever happened with Grant is bigger than I thought.
Walker cocks an eyebrow. “Why?”
I throw my arms up in frustration. “It’s like everyone warns me about him but won’t tell me why.
“Grant…” Walker’s gaze focuses on the ground as if he’s searching for the right words. “He wasn’t always the man he is now.”
My brows raise slowly as I await clarification. “What happened?”
Levi’s chest expands as his shoulders pull back. “Something we should’ve handled differently.” His tone is menacing.
“We all made mistakes.” Santiago’s fists tremble with rage. “People got hurt.”
Blinking, I attempt to see past their vague answers, but their ambiguity is working in their favor.
“Did Grant hurt someone?” My lips press tightly together.
Walker nods. “Yes.”
My hand rubs my eyes. “Did he hurt you?”
Levi lets out a sharp breath. “Not directly.”
I’m done with this brain teaser.
My shoulders fall. “Then why can’t you tell me?”
“Necesito que confíes en nostros, mi Cielo.” We need you to trust us, my sky.
Levi’s expression softens. “We’ll tell you everything, just not today, Butterfly.”
My fists rest on my hips. “And who decides when I get to know?”
“We do,” Walker replies.
“You’re choosing for me?” I accuse, frustration charging my tone.
“Yeah,” Walker admits. “I am.” His eyes analyze my every mannerism and expression, then his shoulders rise and fall with a steadying breath. “And if you hate me for it later, I’ll live with that.”
Santiago bravely steps forward, rubbing his hands over my upper arms. “I know asking you to trust us isn’t fair, especially after everything. But we’re asking anyway.”
If it’s possible to be in a state of unfettered rage and pure, undiluted captivation…
I’m there.
They each carry a real fear that comes from my knowing, and it has them petrified.
They’re even willing to carry my hate.
I give them a slight nod. “Okay.”
Walker visibly relaxes. Levi lets out a long breath.
Santiago stands there smiling down at me. He places a kiss on the top of my head, and the three of them turn back to finish the wall.
“So…” fidgeting with my fingers, I move a little closer. “Since I’m trusting you with this, do you think you could trust me with a hammer?”
“Absolutely not.” Levi’s response is immediate. “I’ve seen your temper.”
I shoot him a glare and point. “You’re back on the shit list, Levi Harding.”
Levi spins back around, a roguish look on his face as he shoves his tools at Walker. “I could always repeat what we did last time to get me off the list.”
Santiago feigns ignorance, setting his tools on the ground. “What did you guys do last time?”
Walker drops the power tools, not caring that he very likely just broke them all. “I think we all know what they did.”
“Our girl’s a screamer,” Levi smirks.
Levi, Santiago, and Walker stalk toward me, and suddenly, I feel like prey.
It’s exhilarating.
My footsteps move me backward out of the barn as I come up with a way to make this interesting. “Whoever catches me first gets to pick the position.”
Santiago’s brows shoot up, Walker’s eyes smolder, and Levi’s lips curve into a sinful smile.
“If we’re good with that…” I start, then turn on my heel and bolt out the open barn doors. My heart races as I pump my arms, lengthening my stride.
I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t have a destination in mind, but I find myself racing up the steps of the back porch.
My hand grips the knob of the door when a pair of arms encircle my middle and haul me off my feet. I yelp as footsteps thunder closer.
In my ear, a deep voice growls. “Guess I’m the winner, Butterfly.”
My core clenches, emphasizing the fact that I’m empty and desperate to be filled.
The four of us pant, catching our breath as Levi rips open the door and marches inside with me in his arms.
Levi leads the way to the living room, where he sets me down on the animal rug in front of the burning fireplace.
I quickly dress down to my bra and thong, sitting comfortably on the rug. “So what’s it going to be, Harding?”
“It depends. Walk, are you willing to try something?”
Walker squints, mulling it over for a moment. “What kind of something?”
“You’ll like it, I promise.” Levi winks.
He actually winks at Walker.
Walker shocks us all when he says, “Let’s do it.”
Walker isn’t a prude. He doesn’t judge anyone for who they love. But if he wants to try it out, I’m so excited.
Levi rips his shirt off over his head and lies down on the rug. “Butterfly, come sit on my face.”
My panties flood.
I crawl over to Levi. When I’m close enough, Levi impatiently grips my hips and hauls me into his lap. “Let’s give them a good show.”