By the time he shoves back to his feet, I’ve finally worked up the courage to ask the same question I’m sure he’s asked himself a hundred times.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Our damnedest,” he says with a shrug, settling back onto the bench across from mine. “That’s why we started the whole craft-beer operation. We’re hoping that’s the ticket, the secret ingredient that will make this whole thing profitable.”

“Which is why Graham is so angry about Logan’s mistake.”

Austen smirks. “Now you’re getting it.”

The creak of a door interrupts our conversation, followed by the crunch of icy snow beneath furious footsteps. It’s Logan, stalking toward us wearing a mask of fury. It’s not till he gets closer that I realize his lip is split, and he’s sporting the early signs of a bruise forming on his right cheek.

I have to bite my tongue hard to keep from gasping. I remember what Austen said about arguments being normal when Logan is home, but it’s hard to believe violence is normal too. My stomach clenches into a painful knot.

“I think it’s pretty obvious I won’t be joining you tonight,” Logan says gruffly, dragging the back of his hand along his lower lip. “Just thought I’d let you know.”

With that, he turns and stomps back toward the house, and I’m right behind him. But once again, these darn boots betray me and slow me down. Logan is already halfway up the stairs by the time I step inside.

Most of the family has scattered, but Jillian is slouched over in the armchair, quiet sobs shaking her petite frame. After all the kindness she’s shown me today, it takes every bit of willpower not to hug her. As a human being, I want to. But as a professional, I can’t.

Instead, I just ask softly, “Are you okay?”

She looks up at me, her blue eyes red and brimming with tears. “Graham and Logan . . .” She bites her lip, choking back a sob. “Just a little fight, sweetie. Everyone’s okay. But Logan is going to stay in the cabin next to yours for the next few nights. The boys just need some space.”

Jillian is giving her son more grace than he deserves, but I can read between the lines. The look in her eyes says it all. Logan’s anger is out of control, and it’s not safe for him to be in the house anymore because he’s like a grenade without its pin, ready to go off at any time.