Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 77936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Willow!” Hannah caught her up in a tight hug. “I was so worried about you.”
“I’m sorry.” Willow’s eyes grew cloudy.
“Don’t be sorry.” Hannah hugged her again. “Just be okay.”
“I’m fine.” Willow grabbed Hannah’s hand. “Let’s go see Pepperjack.”
“Is it okay if I skip the horses?” Yawning, Adler joined us on the porch. “I’m still recovering from the drive and all the excitement yesterday.”
“Aren’t we all?” I laughed, shooing him away. “Go back to bed.”
“Are you really going to ride Pepperjack today?” Hannah asked Willow as the four of us made our way to the horse barn.
“Of course. Right back on.” Willow stomped toward the barn, the barest hint of a limp left, her expression so much like Betsey’s it hurt. “Riding him is the only way he’ll know I’m all right.”
As the girls approached Pepperjack’s stall, I said to Colt, “She’s something else.”
“She really is.” Bemused expression, he shook his head before calling out to Willow, “Don’t forget your helmet.”
“Willow! I’m so glad you’re okay!” Kat joined the girls at Pepperjack’s stall. Hannah wanted to ride as well, so Kat helped both girls get ready to ride in the arena. Hannah looked far more nervous than the resolute Willow, who sat tall and straight in the saddle while talking softly to Pepperjack.
“She’s part of why I’m staying too,” I said to Colt in a low whisper. “Willow needs a place for her horse.”
“We’d work something out.” A muscle twitched in Colt’s jaw.
“The girls need each other.” I was undeterred by his lack of enthusiasm. His doubt was understandable. I’d wear him down eventually.
For now, I didn’t press my point further as we watched the girls ride. Colt gave a sharp intake of breath as Willow went from an easy walk into a gallop, so I grabbed his hand below the railing. To my surprise, he didn’t immediately pull away. Instead, he squeezed back.
“I’m sorry I brought up Betsey yesterday.”
“Don’t be sorry.” I kept my voice low yet firm. “She was a huge part of both of your lives. Of course you miss her, more so when your kid gets hurt.”
“Thank you for understanding.” Continuing to hold my hand, he exhaled hard.
“I’m not going to lie. I was jealous in high school because she could so openly crush on you, and I couldn’t,” I admitted. “But I left, she stayed, and you built a life together. I can’t negate that past.”
“I didn’t know you were crushing.” Colt’s tone was apologetic. “Right up until my bright idea that we should kiss after prom, I was clueless.”
“Intentionally so on my part.” My laugh took on a sharp edge. “It’s not easy falling in love with your best friend.”
“I know.” He held my gaze, something powerful sweeping between us.
Right at that exact moment, us gazing deeply at each other, holding hands, having a moment, Faith came swooping into the barn. She wore strappy sandals and a tailored skirt and blouse, about as out of place in a horse barn as one could get. However, seeing her dressed in her old high style was a welcome change from her robe.
“Good Lord, Maverick.” She shook her head at me like a mother hen unhappy with her wandering chick. Funny, because I’d been looking for my sister all damn summer. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Oh?” I discreetly dropped Colt’s hand.
“I think I’ve finally found a way we can sell.”
Chapter 29
Colt
I didn’t even get twenty-four hours of deluding myself into thinking Maverick might actually stick around. Faith had to come bursting in before it was even noon, popping my dreams that we might at least get the year mandated by the will.
“I’m not interested in fighting the will.” Maverick held up his hands, but Faith only glared that much harder as he added, “I don’t want to sell anymore.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Faith sniffed, every inch a Houston society wife, even in the middle of a horse barn.
“I’m serious.” Maverick gestured around us. “I think we should keep the ranch.”
“You’re thinking with your—”
I cleared my throat before Faith could finish. “The girls are in earshot.”
“Thank you, Colt.” Faith whirled in my direction as if just now noticing my presence. “And you know as well as I do that Maverick is no rancher.”
Fuck. If I agreed, I’d be disloyal to Maverick. If I disagreed, I’d be lying. No win.
“I think I should leave you two to your discussion of family business.” I took a large step backward from them both.
“Thank you,” Faith said crisply. She had a wild look in her eyes, a sort of hyperalertness I’d seen only too often in my years as a deputy. She might look put together, but she’d had chemical help getting there. She was at high risk of falling apart as soon as whatever it was wore off, but at the moment, her speech was high and fast. “Maverick, can we talk back at the house?”