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JT erupted in an angst-filled diatribe that included so about Mo around with Henry (Scout hadn’t told a soul, per hisabout Hahter, so the plot thickened)—though Scout had already been privy to that conversation at Waylon’s when his younger brother had sought him out for advice

Scout propped a forearm over the handle of the shovel and let the rant continue

Until JT got to the sale of the cabin

“Dad’s in on the deal!” JT exclaimed

“Oh, hell, no,” Scout insisted “Hamilton never said a word about that”

“Yeah I know But Dad’s the broker on the deal He hooked our little brother up with this investor who’s interested in turning our o Strater-esque Inn Dad gets a cut A big one”

Scout’s temper flared He heaved the shovel into a four-foot embankment “Fuck!”

It wouldn’t do his head any good, though, to go off half-cocked about this new revelation The residual tension after last night’s attack was enough to trigger another series of headaches if he wasn’t careful

So he tried to bring his anger done a few notches Said, “Hamilton has always been in fairy tale land when it comes to Dad”

“I had to set hih what I went through He’s never been able to fully accept what our father is all about”

“Hell, I was barely even there at the time, and I still knohat a piece of shit he is I mean… You did tell Ha the fire?”

“Yeah”

Scout couldn’t go there in his o there Let JT be the one to shine the light on the extent of evil seeping through their father’s veins

JT said, “I was against this sale fro I know you were hesitant, too But with Dad being in on the action? Huh-uh No way, ot to put a stop to this”

“Agreed This place means too much to all of us to lose it Especially like this I’m on your side One-hundred percent” They shook A nice, solid handshake Then JT tugged him forward and they did the manly slaps on the back But that turned into a full-blown bro hug as JT held on tight Making Scout squiresture Yet it seemed JT needed it at the moment So Scout let him have at it before they each stepped away