Page 12 of Hard Rain Coming
“Damn shoulder is acting up again.”
“That’s what happens when you roll a truck going eighty.” The previous year, Benton had been in an accident that had kept him in the hospital for weeks. Luckily, he’d come out of it in relatively good shape, though Dallas wasn’t surprised there were some lingering issues.
“Getting old sucks,” Benton said with a grin.
“Talk to me when you’re fifty.”
“Hell, I’ll let you know how I feel when I hit forty,” Benton replied. He turned to Griff. “Tell the boys tomorrow is a go. They’ll need a good night’s sleep and to be up early.”
“Will do.” Griff tipped his hat to Dallas and headed for the bunkhouse.
“Glad to see we’re still on schedule to move the cattle tomorrow.”
“Yeah. The weather is looking good for the week. You up for it?” Benton flashed a smile. “Or did twenty-four hours in the company of my sister turn your panties inside out?”
“She’s still prickly.”
“Yep.”
Benton eyed him up and looked as if he had something on his mind. He and Bent had been the best of buddies for as long as Dallas could remember, and yet, there were things Bridgestone didn’t know, and more things Dal wasn’t willing to share.
“What is it?” Dallas asked.
“Something’s up with Viv. I don’t know what it is.”
Dallas let out a small breath and cursed to himself. She was definitely one of the things he didn’t like to discuss. “She’s not the sharing type.”
“Nope.” Benton started toward the exit, and Dallas followed him. “It’s like she’s here but not here. She doesn’t interact with the family. Hell, I don’t think she’s hugged or touched Nora.” He glanced at Dallas. “Is that normal? Not to want to touch your niece?”
Dallas didn’t get a chance to reply.
“Plus, she’s giving Dad the cold shoulder, and he’s trying real hard. I know us kids have a complicated past with the man, but all of us have moved on. He’s not the same. He’s changed, and she should give him a break.”
Growing up on the ranch, Dallas knew just how toxic their home life had been after their mother died and Manley turned to the bottle for comfort. He’d been a mean drunk and ran over his family like a steam locomotive, uncaring about the carnage and hurt because he was too wrapped up in his own pain. It wasn’t an excuse, but it was the truth.
“Not everyone can forgive so easily. Vivian’s wired differently than you guys. That’s all.” Dallas shoved his hands in the front of his pockets. He didn’t want to talk about Vivian and the past because dragging that shit up wasn’t good for anyone.
“How is she?” Benton asked. They were by Dallas’s truck. “She’s been here for over a month, and I have no idea what’s going on inside her head.” He sighed. “None of us do.”
What did he say to that? On the spot, Dallas shrugged. “Last night was the first time I’ve seen her since I’ve been back. Other than the wedding.” And that had been in passing. He’d been leaving when she was showing up.
“You just spent hours with her in a truck.”
“Look, I get you’re worried about your sister, but I’m not the guy who can fill you in on where her head’s at. We’re…” He took a beat, realizing his heart had picked up speed. “We’re not friends. Not for a long time. We don’t share secrets.” He shrugged. “I can tell you one thing that hasn’t changed.”
“What’s that?”
“She’s still a tough nut to crack, and unless you’re willing to put in the time and a hell of a lot of effort, you’ll never get through.”
Benton looked at him, his eyes narrowed a bit more than Dallas liked.
“You two were tight once. Close.”
There it was. The secret that hadn’t really been a secret. The one nobody talked about.
“That’s old news. A lot has happened between now and then.” Dallas was done walking down memory lane. “I need to get back to my place and make ready for a week on the range.”
“Griff and the boys looked after your animals while you were away. I’ll do it while you’re bringing in the cattle.”