Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“I agree with your father. There was something more behind his reason for leaving.”
My shoulders dropped, and I sighed. “I don’t want to relive that pain again.”
“I doubt he does either, but it’s something you both have to do. Let him explain to you why he left, then you can decide what the next move is.”
Placing my hands over my mouth, I exhaled deeply, then dropped my hands to my lap. “I’m sorry I came here and immediately broke down crying.”
Drawing me to her, my mother hugged me tightly. “That’s what we’re here for. You can always come to your father and me for anything, Ensley. You know that.”
I chewed nervously on my lower lip before asking, “Do you think we can fall in love that deeply twice in our lives?”
Dad drew back in surprise. “Of course, you can. Look at Caden and Levi.”
“But…a love like yours,” I said, as I pointed between the two of them. “I don’t think Levi and Caden’s first loves were anything like what they have now. So if you find a great love and it slips away, is it possible to have it again?”
My mother grabbed both of my hands. “Of course it is, Ensley.”
I felt fresh tears roll down my cheeks. My mother reached up and wiped them away before kissing my forehead. Then she leaned back and lifted my chin, forcing me to look at her.
“Do you remember after Colt left, when you asked me if you could die from a broken heart?”
I nodded.
“You didn’t die, Ensley. You thrived. Look at what you’ve done in your life.”
I looked down at our hands. “I don’t have a family, though.”
“Pumpkin, you still have plenty of time to build a family.”
I sniffled. “But he’s the one I wanted a family with. I don’t know how to turn off my feelings for him, and I’ve tried so damn hard!”
Moving to the sofa, my father gathered me in his arms and held me. I buried my face against his chest and let the tears fall freely. It was time I admitted the truth.
“I love him still, Daddy! I hate myself for it, but I still love him.”
He kissed my head. “I know, baby girl. I know. My offer still stands to kick his ass. I might be ten years older now, but I think I can take him.”
I drew back to look at him. He was dead serious—and I soon found myself laughing.
“You don’t think I could take him?”
Between fits of laughter, I replied, “With Gatlin or Caden’s help, maybe.”
My father huffed.
“I love you both so much.”
They both wrapped their arms around me, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel hurt and pain. I simply felt love.
A week had passed, and I hadn’t seen or heard from Colt. But I hadn’t expected to see him, really, especially since I’d stuck to just going to my appointments and back home. I hadn’t even been into town at all. I also hadn’t gone to visit Jacob and Lynn. I’d called and talked to them, but I hadn’t been by.
The tap on the neighboring stall had me turning to see my brother Gatlin standing there.
“Hey.”
“Emeline told me you were working here today. I thought you had that interview.”
“The reporter came by earlier, so I thought I’d stick around and take care of some of the horses today. Emeline also said a few of these little monsters need to be ridden.”
“Want some company?”
Glancing at him over my shoulder, I asked, “Did Mom send you down here?”
He laughed. “No. Should she have?”
I dropped the horse’s hoof and stood. “I might have had a bit of a breakdown at their house the other day.”
Gatlin nodded as he stroked the horse’s neck. “I get it. Did you feel better afterward?”
Huffing, I said, “No. I did admit to them and myself that I’m still in love with Colt.”
He rolled his eyes. “That’s not news.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I sighed. “I’ve been getting that from a lot of people.”
“Who are we riding, and I’ll saddle them up.”
“Ceres and Luna.”
“How much longer do you have here?”
“That was my last shoe. Just need to get her back into her stall and give her some yummies. Emeline said she’ll turn her out after her meeting.”
My brother smiled. “I’ll get ’em ready and meet you out front.”
“Sounds good.” He turned to walk away, and I called out, “Gatlin?”
Turning, he walked backward. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
Winking, he said, “Anything for my favorite sister.”
I laughed, watching as he walked into the tack room.
After getting cleaned up, I walked to where Gatlin was waiting with the horses. He was talking to Emeline, who was holding Jackson.
“Hey, how’s the little man today?”
She grinned down at her son, then at me. “He’s doing amazing. I swear he’s the perfect baby.”
Kissing him on the cheek, I replied, “That’s because he’s a Wilde.”