Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(15)

There are two years that all of us need to live in this hellhole, it was worth every penny.

Now, I need to start fixing everything so we can sell it.

“Dec?” I say his name again, waiting to see if he hears me this time.

“I hear you. How much money do you need?”

“I need at least ten thousand more.”

I hear the sigh of frustration leave my brother’s mouth. “And that’s just for the first barn?”

“Yup.”

“Wouldn’t it be cheaper to demolish it?”

“Dec, I can’t move an inch or I’ll lose you so I’m going to say this quickly. You told me to spend my six months working on fixing up the things that would make us money. A new barn—a good one that will actually help a farmer—would cost us around sixty thousand. So, wire me the money I need to fix this one and let me get to work. You’ll get it all back when we sell, anyway.”

My brother goes silent, and I have no idea if he heard any of my slight rant or if I lost connection, but I disconnect. When I turn around, I almost jump out of my skin.

“Hi, Connor!”

“Jesus!” I yell and grip my chest where my heart is now racing. “Hadley, I didn’t know you were there.”

“I’m very quiet when I want to be.” Her smile is wide as she shifts her body from side to side.

“I see that,” I say with a quiet laugh. “You remind me of how my brother Sean used to sneak around to scare me.”

“How many brothers do you have? I always wanted a brother. Brother or a sister, I wouldn’t be picky, but Mommy says I am enough to love all on my own. She was an only child too.”

I used to dream about being an only child some days. Having three older brothers was hell most of the time. When we had Mom, life was easy and fun—mostly for them because I was the dumb one who would listen to anything they told me.

Being accepted by my brothers was all I wanted. They were cool and had all the information I wanted. I was the annoying one when I was her age.

Who was the one who jumped out of a tree to see if it hurt when they landed? Me.

Who ate the cow pie because it would make a person stronger than Popeye? Me.

Who took the blame for breaking Mom’s figurine because no one would punish the baby of the brothers? Me.

And did I get punished? Yup.

“I have three older brothers. Declan, Jacob, and Sean.”

“Whoa. Are they here now? Are they as big as you? Can I meet them?”

I laugh at the awe in her voice. “Nope, they all went back to their homes while I stay here to work on the farm.”

Her head tilts to the side. “That’s sad. You’re going to be all alone.”

“I like being alone. Speaking of . . . what are you doing here? Do your parents know where you are?”

“Mommy told me to go outside and play, so I came here.”

Makes zero sense, but who am I to argue with a kid. “To play?”

“I wanted to climb the tree, but I promised no more climbing until my arm is better.”

“Did you see the doctor?”

Hadley nods excitedly. “I did. It’s just bruised and I’m supposed to wear this thing on my shoulder, but I don’t like it so I take it off when Mommy isn’t looking.”

I snort. “Sounds like something I would do. But you really should do what your mom says.”

“Promise not to tell?”

I lift my hand with my two fingers up in a peace sign. “Scouts honor.”

Not that I was a scout or anything close. Hell, I’m pretty sure that isn’t even the way it should look.

Hadley moves over to where I’m standing, looking at the pile of wood that is off to the side. “Are you tearing the barn down?”

“No, I’m fixing it. I’m going to take down the damaged pieces before putting all new boards up.”

“Can I watch?”

Uh. I’m not really sure what the protocol is on this. She’s a seven-year-old kid who I only ever met because she was injured in my tree. “I’m not sure your parents would like that.”

She shrugs. “Daddy doesn’t care as long as I’m out of his way.”

“What about your mom?”

Hadley purses her lips and kicks the dirt. “Maybe you can ask her.”

Yeah, not a shot in hell. That would not help with my whole plan to avoid Ellie.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“But we’re friends,” she retorts.

“We are . . .” I really don’t know how to extract myself from this one. “But I have to work a lot and don’t have time to go over right now.”

“Please, Connor. I have no friends other than you, and I promise I won’t be a pain. Plus, what happens if you get hurt? Who will call for help if you fall?”

Hadley crosses her arms over her chest, giving me the cutest lip pout ever. Jesus, I know why grown men are unable to say no to their daughters.

They know exactly how to get their way. I used to see it with Aarabelle and Liam. She led him—and every other SEAL she came in contact with—around by her pinky.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll be okay.”

“But how do you know?” she challenges.