Page 39 of Hard Rain Coming

“Is it?” She grabbed his mug and filled it with coffee, then turned and leaned against the counter, her unwavering brown eyes serious as she gazed across the room at him. She was tall for a woman, standing at five feet ten inches, and older than Dallas by two years. Jade resembled their father’s side of the family, the Henhawks, with her dark hair and eyes. Dressed in an old sweatshirt and jeans, it was obvious that she was annoyed about something. He saw it written all over her pretty face.

She took a sip from his mug, opened her mouth to say something, then took one more sip for good measure. “What the hell, Dallas?”

Dallas frowned, more than a little confused at her attitude this early on a Sunday morning. “You might want to back up the truck and tell me what this is about.” He moved toward her. “But first…” He swiped his mug from her. “This one’s mine.”

She made a face and opened the cupboard to grab another one. “Didn’t realize you had a special mug all your own.”

He grinned and pointed to it. “The big D not enough of a clue?”

She poured a second cup and this time added a bit of sugar and cream. Once she was ready, she turned back to him and made a face. “I just have one question.”

“Shoot, that would be a first,” he replied, a bit of sarcasm mixed in. She never asked just one question. Ever.

“Are you insane?”

“Not that I know of, though I suppose some folks might question that.”

“Do you have amnesia?”

“Pretty sure I’m all good there.”

Jade set down her mug on the counter and gave him a look he was all too familiar with.

Here we go.

“I was at the barn dance last night, and you were a no-show.”

“Wasn’t feeling it.” Warily, he watched her.

“Huh,” she said, grabbing up her mug once more, though she didn’t take a sip. “You want to know who did show?”

“Santa Claus?”

“Don’t be an asshole.”

“Can’t help it.”

“Vivian Bridgestone strutted into that barn looking like she’d just walked off the pages of a goddamn magazine. She was there literally one minute and then turned tail and left.”

“And?” He knew where she was headed, but watching his sister kick up a fuss was kinda fun.

“She’s trouble, Dal. The worst kind. She doesn’t give a shit about anyone but herself.”

Dallas’s good mood was fading away like fog under the threat of sun. “If you’re trying to make a point, just make it.”

“Did she come here to see you last night?”

“None of your business.” His voice was flat.

Jade set down her mug once more and walked toward him. “But it is my business. Because you’re my brother, and I love you, and when this all goes to hell…” She paused and heaved a sigh. “And it will go to hell. I’m the one who gets to deal with your sorry ass because there’s no one left. Because I’m your favorite sister.”

“You’re the only one I got.”

“And I’m older than you, so when I speak, you listen.”

“Jade,” he growled a warning, but his sister ignored him.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Just no, Dallas. She’s no good for you. Don’t you remember what happened the last time you two got tangled up together? She left without a word, and you…you were never the same.”