"Yeah," Mel agrees. "Not your fault, though."

He's not the one who's supposed to be in charge of the whole keeping-people-safe-running-the-farm-being-a-good-sister-protecting-the-family thing.

Not that anyone except Mel thinks she should be, but since when did their opinions matter?

It should have been her.

Using a thumb and forefinger, she pinches the wet out of her eyes and joins him against the wall, looking forward at nothing.