UNBROKEN PROMISE

~51~ Doing Better

Logan strode inside the barn, the air heavy with the scent of livestock and fresh hay. He found Jacob near one of the stalls, inspecting the feed buckets. Jacob glanced up, his expression calm but curious, and he set the bucket down as Logan approached.

"You alright?" Jacob asked, his tone even, but his sharp eyes scanned Logan like they always did, searching for something unspoken.

Logan shrugged, leaning against one of the wooden beams. "Yeah," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction. His gaze wandered to the floor.

Jacob didn't push. He just nodded and went back to his task, giving Logan space to gather his thoughts. After a long moment, Logan exhaled heavily, the sound cutting through the quiet barn. Jacob straightened again, turning his full attention to his younger brother.

"Something on your mind?" Jacob asked, crossing his arms.

Logan rubbed the back of his neck, his brow furrowing. "Not really," he started, then shook his head. "Actually, yeah. I've been thinkin' about what happened earlier—Megan slappin' Clara."

Jacob's mouth twitched in the faintest smirk, though he quickly masked it. "What about it?" he asked, his tone neutral.

Logan sighed, crossing his arms. "I ain't sayin' she don't deserve to be punished," he began, choosing his words carefully. "But maybe don't go too hard on her."

Jacob's eyebrow arched, and a low chuckle escaped him. "You tellin' me how to handle my wife now?"

Logan huffed, shaking his head. "Nah, not what I'm sayin'. You do what you gotta do. I'm just sayin'... well, I think we've all been wantin' to slap that smug look off Clara's face since the day they showed up. Megan just happened to be the one who finally did it."

Jacob's smirk deepened, and he let out a low chuckle. "Can't argue with that," he admitted, scratching his jaw. "But still, Megan knows better than to let her temper get the best of her, especially in front of a crowd. She's got to know how to act, no matter how much someone deserves it."

Logan nodded, understanding his brother's point. "Fair enough," he said. "And I ain't sayin' don't teach her a lesson. Just... maybe go a little easy on her. It ain't like she was completely wrong."

Jacob studied Logan for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "You're not wrong," he finally said. "But Megan's got a habit of diggin' her heels in when she's riled up. If I let this slide, she'll think she can do it again next time Clara opens her mouth."

Logan let out a low chuckle, the first real hint of amusement he'd shown all night. "Well, that ain't likely to stop Clara from talkin'," he said dryly.

Jacob chuckled too, shaking his head. "Ain't that the truth," he agreed. He grew serious again, his voice firm but not unkind. "I'll handle it, Logan. Don't worry. She'll learn her lesson, but I'll make sure she knows I'm not just mad about the slap. It's about the principle of it."

Logan gave a small nod. "Thanks," he said simply. "I know you've got your way of doin' things. Just thought I'd say my piece."

Jacob clapped him on the shoulder, a rare gesture of affection between the two brothers. "I hear ya," he said. "But don't think this means Megan's gettin' off easy. You know better than that."

Logan smirked faintly, his arms falling to his sides as the tension in his posture eased. "Didn't expect she would," he said. "But maybe give her credit for speakin' up for Oma. That meant somethin'."

Jacob nodded, a flicker of agreement in his eyes. "Yeah, it did," he admitted. "Still doesn't excuse her gettin' herself into trouble. But I'll keep it in mind."