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“Too bad I’m fresh out of funny”

They stared at one another “How many times has Mom asked you to watch Landon in the last year?”

“At least twice aended”

“And you say yes every time she asks” A stateonna stop helping out entirely; I’m just not doin’ it today”

“Now that I’ve heard your side, I’otten…pushy lately” Brandt sighed “Some days, she reminds me of Dad”

“Glad I’m not the only one who’s seen it”

“I’ve noticed it and so has Jess But I know you, Tell That alone ain’t enough to set you off”

Set hiht pleasant to his mother Hoould people react if he really went off?

“You poke at onna do the same to you, bro What else is on your mind?” Brandt asked “‘Cause you’ve been actin’ pissy I suspect it’s got so to do with me”

Tell counted to twenty in an attempt to temper his response, but maybe it was better to let fly “Fine, Brandt, here it is You’ve been a shitty ranching partner the last six nant But now that Tucker is here, I’ve waited for you to step up and do your part and it hasn’t happened yet I’m frustrated and tired of cuttin’ you slack I’m forced to make decisions because you won’t, and then you questionI decide Me’n Dalton are tired of it”

Brandt’s face turned a ly tense iven hi the family proble away froia

Then Brandt dropped onto the couch “Fuck When did I becouy who does the minimum amount of work, who comes in late, leaves early and puts his life ahead of everything else?” Brandt chewed that over for a bit “Christ I’m actin’ just like Luke did”

“I wouldn’t have said that, but since you did… Yeah Maybe a little”

”I’m sorry, Tell There ain’t no excuse”

“Nope”

“Won’t happen anymore I promise”

“Good to know”

Brandt pushed to his feet “So, you tired of riding herd on me yet?”

Just like that, Tell knew Brandt’s slacker days were behind them Neither needed to beat this issue to death; it was over and done with and they’dsooner “Maybe a little” He grinned and lightly punched Brandt in the arm “Hey Maybe Dalton will fk up and you’ll be off the hook”

“Wouldn’t put it past that kid He’s always got some damn secret” He snorted “Kid Now I really sound like Luke Anyway, thanks for the kick in the ass before you had to kickas we’re bein’ all touchy-feely and shit… Jess wants you to coht”

“Thanks, but I can’t I’ a rodeo in Belle Fourche all day to”

“Guess I deserve to do chores by e, huh?” He smiled and punched Tell in the arn things were getting back to normal “Come by anyway if it ain’t too late, because we’re usually up” Brandt smirked “I promise on’t ask you to baby-sit”