Jake’s expression matched his sister’s, proving without a doubt they were related. “Skylar doesn’t manipulate people.”
“You ever been in a relationship?”
Jake shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve dated.”
“They ever smile sweetly then ask you to do something for them?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“You do it?”
He considered the question then shook his head. “Not unless I agreed with them.”
“How often did that happen?”
“Never.” Jake grinned. “Skylar tried that with you?”
“Yep. She wanted me to ask her nicely to go inside the bar so you and I could talk like men.”
Jake snorted. “I forget sometimes she’s a girl.”
Logan leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest as his breath curled in the cold air like smoke from a chimney. Skylar was no girl. She was a woman. His woman. One who could strip him of his breath with a single look. But her brothers didn’t see that side of her. From what he could tell, Skylar was more mother than sister. Six years older than Jake, she’d practically raised both boys while her father worked.
“I get you have concerns about Skylar and me. And honestly, I’d be disappointed in you if you didn’t. So let’s clear the air like men instead of throwing fists, yeah?”
Jake turned and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “All right. You got a sister, Storm?”
“Not that I know of. I was raised in foster care, then joined the army.”
“Okay, let me put it to you this way then. Some guys think sisters are a pain in the ass, but it’s never been like that for Josh and me. I have no real memory of my mother, other than pictures, but Skylar, she’s in every single moment of my life. When we were kids, she stood by my side and caught me when I fell until I was old enough to stand on my own two feet. Skylar never had that. She had to grow up way too fast because of our mother’s death, but in some ways, she’s still naïve. She doesn’t have experience with men, other than a high school boyfriend, so it makes her an easy mark if she trusts you. So to sum up my concerns, I need you to explain why a man—who could have any woman he wants—is currently sniffing around the most important person in my world before I break your goddamn nose again.”
Logan held Jake’s angry gaze as traffic passed them by slowly on the snowy street. He knew the town was watching them. Waiting to see if there would be a round three between the two, so Logan needed to defuse the situation. As acting police chief, he knew he’d have to arrest the kid if he threw a punch. “First, Skylar isn’t just any woman.”
“You think I don’t know that? You think I’m blind to the way tourists look at her, or how the ranch hands jack off thinking about her when they go home? She covers herself from head to toe in sweats so she doesn’t draw attention, but she can’t hide who she is.”
Logan curled his fists at the image of any man using Skylar as a means to get off. But he’d have to deal with that later. The chip on Jake’s shoulder was wider than the Grand Canyon, and he needed to rein him in before he erupted. “Jake, I’ve seen and done things most men can’t comprehend.” Jake opened his mouth to argue further, so Logan raised his hand to stall him. “Hear me out. If you still want to break my nose when I’m done, I won’t stop you, but know I’ll put your ass on the ground then throw it in jail if you can’t control your temper.”
The kid’s jaw ticked, but he leaned his back fully against the wall in a show of restraint.
“War makes men out of boys. Overnight in some instances. It teaches us responsibility. How to survive. How to recognize good from evil. And how to use our instincts. All of this,” Logan spread his arms wide to encompass Ennis, “is fucking heaven compared to what’s out there. I grew up in foster care. Didn’t have shit I could call my own until I entered the army. I’m not the type of man who trusts easily, but when I do, it’s rock solid. The closest thing I had to family died in front of my eyes a year ago, so I discharged from the army to heal and find some semblance