Dane swallowed, so disgusted by his father’s implications that he was speechless.
“It couldn’t be them? All sweet and innocent.” His father snorted. “You’re a blind fool. They came out here to do exactly what happened—see your dreams go up in smoke.”
Astrid’s voice was shaking. “Are you accusing us—”
“You bet I am.” His father pointed at Astrid, then Tansy. “Now the both of you get out of here.”
“Dad.” Leif grabbed his father’s arm. “Astrid kept me safe. Tansy was out there, with Dane, trying to save the bees.”
“Well, they’re not going to stand back and laugh, now, are they?” His father crossed his arms over his chest and waited. “You’re young, Leif. You want to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Don’t. That’s how you get hurt—sometimes by the people you love.” He glared at Dane now.
“Maybe you should go.” Dane glanced at Tansy. After everything she’d been through, she didn’t need to stand there and listen to his father’s ranting.
Tansy stared at him in surprise. “But, Dane—”
“He doesn’t want you here any more than I do,” his father bit out.
Tansy flinched like she’d been slapped.
“No,” Dane hurried to explain. “You don’t—”
“You don’t belong here.” His father nodded. “Go on.”
Tansy steered Astrid to their van.
“Dad, you’re being an asshole.” Leif damn near exploded. “Youarean asshole.”
Dane froze. He couldn’t chase down Tansy and stop Leif from saying or doing something he’d regret. He’d never heard his little brother so full of rage.
“What did you say to me?” His father was livid.
“You heard me.” Leif bowed up at his father. “You don’t care about anyone but yourself.” Leif put both hands against their father’s chest and pushed, hard.
“Whoa, Leif.” Dane stepped between them and put a hand on his little brother’s shoulder. “Breathe. You don’t want to do this.”
“Damn right I do,” Leif ground out, his face twisted and his eyes full of tears. “I hate him.”
“You...” Their father glanced at Leif, then Dane. “You did this. You fix it.”
Dane didn’t answer. His little brother was angry, yes, but he was also heartbroken. It wasn’t all that long ago, Dane had been in Leif’s shoes. Only there’d been no one to stop Dane from hauling off and punching his father in the stomach. No matter what he said or did, he’d had to accept that his father wouldn’t forgive him. And no matter what his father did or said, Dane had to accept he was responsible for reacting like that. Not his father.
Without another word, Dane pulled Leif aside, leading him farther away from their father and the devastation of the fire. He didn’t stop until they sat along the riverbank, in the dark, listening to the crickets, without saying a word.
“Did you know he’s sending me to some military school?” Leif choked out. “Even though I’ve been busting my ass to do better.”
“You think I’d let that happen?” Dane shook his head, wishing there was enough light to see Leif’s face.
“What can you do?” Leif stood and started pacing. “You’re not my guardian.”
“We will figure it out. I promise.” He didn’t know how but he wouldn’t let Leif down.Somehow.
Dane stared up at the stars overhead—the weight of the day pressing in on his chest until he could hardly breathe. His lungs were already aching from smoke inhalation so he stood and stretched, willing the knots in his neck and shoulders to ease even the tiniest bit.
The fire, Leif, his father and Tansy... Tomorrow, he’d face the fallout. As long as Leif was talking to him, Dane could work with that.
He knew he could work with Leif, since he was mad at their dad, not at Dane. But Tansy... Could he go to bed this way? Worried his father had chased her away—worried that she’d think he agreed. And worrying she wouldn’t give him a chance to explain he was trying to protect her not blame her. Never in a million years.
“The fire.” Leif’s voice was low. “Dane, it was an accident.”
