Page 69 of Hard Rain Coming

“No,” she retorted, “but I can save the rest for some other time.”

“Joy.”

“Always a smart-ass.”

“An attribute we both share.”

“So, where are you?”

He considered making up a story, but just like with the eye roll, Jade could smell a lie better than a hound dog in the hunt.

“Louisiana.”

“Really.” She didn’t bother to hide the surprise in her voice. “This must have something to do with Vivian.”

"Why do you say that?"

“Because after I ran into Dickhead Griff at your place, I headed over to see Benton, and he was busy dealing with her bag-of-bones dog. He told me she was away for a few days, and when I asked after you, Benton suddenly clammed up. So, I figure if she’s away and you’re away, then this involves both of you.”

“There’s no pulling the wool over your eyes.”

“You’re going to have to explain the Louisiana connection.”

Dallas sat back and rotated his head, then stretched out his shoulders. God, he was wound up tighter than a top.

“Dal?” his sister prodded.

“I’m here.”

“What are you doing in Louisiana?”

“Vivian and I have a kid.”

Silence greeted his words, and then his phone made a weird noise, and no longer were they talking like birds on a wire, but he was staring at her face on his screen.

“Can you repeat that, please?” Christ, she looked like their mother.

He glanced away for a moment, trying like hell to compose himself, and then he shrugged. “All those years ago when she left. She was pregnant.”

“But you never said…you never…” His sister was rattled. She kept biting her thumb nail.

“I never knew.”

“Oh.” Her brow furrowed into a deep frown.

“Until now.”

Jade sat down. “And this child is in Louisiana?”

He nodded.

“Why in hell didn’t she tell you? How could she keep that from you?” Anger flared beneath Jade’s words, a small flame that would burn hot if he didn’t shut this down.

“I’m not doing that with you, Jade. You don’t get to judge.” His tone was firm. “You don’t know the details. Don’t know what it was like back then for her or me.”

“Then tell me.”

“That’s our business. Our history.”