Cash's Fight(64)
“What the hell, Tate?” Furiously, she laid into him.
“Rach—”
“How could you?” she stormed, ignoring his interruption.
“Rach—”
“I can’t believe my brothers stabbed me in the back!”
“Rach—”
“You called me every name in the book when you found out I slept with him!” she screamed into the phone.
“Rachel!”
She went quiet, recognizing that tone of voice from her childhood.
“Listen to me for a minute. You’ve been mooning over him since you were a kid. You’re the one who slept with him and ran away when you couldn’t stand seeing him with other women.”
“I left town because you all humiliated me.”
“Rachel, we’ve embarrassed you your whole life; that was nothing new. You ran because you didn’t know how to deal. You still don’t.”
“I don’t want to go out with him,” Rachel said stubbornly.
Tate’s voice softened. “Then don’t. We gave him our permission to date you. You do have the option to say no. The choice is still yours.”
Rachel went silent. She was conflicted; she couldn’t have her heart broken by Cash anymore.
“Sister, ask him about the rules.”
“What rules?”
“The rules he promised to keep if you started seeing each other. He agreed. He didn’t even put up a fuss. Have I ever not looked out for you?” he reasoned.
She remained silent.
“Rachel?”
“The night of the party… you really hurt me, Tate.”
“I know.” He didn’t apologize, but his voice was filled with remorse. “Give him another chance, Rachel. Give both of us another chance.”
Rachel sighed. “Okay.”
“That’s the sister I know and love.” He teased a smile out of her before she disconnected the call.
Changing out of her church clothes, she put on her jeans and t-shirt. As she braided her hair back, she felt much calmer than she had before entering the room. Pulling out her computer, she backed up her notes on her plants. She was very meticulous on keeping up-to-date with the progress of the seedlings.
Afterward, she cooked dinner. Cash didn’t emerge from his room for the rest of the night. Aware of how strong her brothers’ hooch was, she would be amazed if he was able to get out of bed for a couple of days.#p#分页标题#e#
Her brothers might have given their approval, but they had made him pay for it.
* * *
“What are you doing?” Rachel came up behind Lily, seeing her trying to slide a chair to the corner.
“I was just trying to make some more room,” Lily explained.
“Shade would be furious if he saw you doing that.”
“Then it’s a good thing he’s not here, isn’t it? You’re not a tattletale, are you?” Lily wrinkled her nose at her.
“Let me catch you moving any more of this heavy furniture, and I’ll call him,” Rachel threatened.
“Okay, okay, you win. I just feel silly asking you to do things that I’m perfectly capable of doing myself.”
“I don’t mind.” Rachel slid the rest of the furniture closer to the wall.
“Lily?” They both jumped when they heard Brooke’s voice behind them.
“Hi, Brooke. What can I help you with?” Lily asked politely.
Rachel walked to the side, moving a headboard casually while listening to their conversation as she worked.
“I’m doing a church Bible group tomorrow, and Willa has several of the texts that we use. Would it be possible for you to pick them up on your way home? The pastor and I are having a dinner tonight with several of the deacons. If you can’t, I suppose…”
“No problem. I don’t mind at all. I’ll enjoy visiting Willa.” Lily smiled.
Willa will be relieved, Rachel thought. The woman would be a nervous wreck waiting for Brooke to arrive.
“Fine, then. That’s a relief. I was nervous about leaving my roast in the oven when I ran out.” Brooke gave them both a practiced smile. “I’m afraid cooking is not where my talents lie.”
“I’m sure you’re an excellent cook,” Lily complimented.
Rachel turned her back so Brooke couldn’t read her expression.
“Thank you, Lily. I better get back to my dinner. I’m making a cobbler for dessert. I’ve never made one before, but it’s Merrick’s favorite, so I thought I would give it a try.”
“I’m sure it will be delicious. I’ll drop the texts off in Pastor Merrick’s office in the morning.”
“Thanks, again. Goodnight, Lily, Rachel.”