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“Yeah.”
So, Matthew Brooks knocked up two sisters at pretty much the same time. Marries one, she dies, then he marries the other?
And then she died too.
That was all sorts of fucked up no matter how Arien looked at it.
“I’ve got to get back.” Kellan stood and retrieved Gunner. His foot in the stirrup, he paused to look at her. “There’s bears in these mountains. Never walk alone.”
Suddenly, she was so confused. “Tanner?”
“Told you he can be a moody fucker,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “How about we go back? I’ll teach you how to untack Daisy, then we can go into town and I’ll show you around.”
“Yeah, okay.”
His fingers slowly skimmed her cheek. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
Tanner slammed the bathroom door shut.
Damn you, Kellan.
He wasn’t sure what the hell his brother was thinking, but if he kept on with his bullshit, he was going to fuck everything up. And then what?
Fortunately, Arien didn’t say anything about it during their ride back to the house. She was so smitten with Daisy, and soaking up everything he was teaching her like a sponge, she didn’t question him in the barn either. Still, he could just imagine the thoughts spinning in her pretty little head.
“You’re only three months apart?”
Surely, she’d ask him more about that on the way to town. He hoped not. It’s not like it was a secret or anything, but Arien wasn’t acquainted with their ways. What did she know of loving? Nothing, besides the love that exists between a mother and daughter. Friends, maybe. If anything, there’d been such an absence of it in her life, Tanner feared the sacred concept would be difficult for her to understand.
He found her in the kitchen with Jennifer and his father, dressed for their outing in a pale-gold sweater that reached mid-thigh, leggings, and over-the-knee boots. Arien leaned over the island, long blonde layers framing her face, a mug in her hands. The three of them appeared to be having an amiable exchange. He released a breath. Tension draining from his shoulders, Tanner joined them.
“Jennifer made hot cocoa.” His dad waved a can of whipped cream. “Want some?”
“Uh, no, thanks.” Tanner squeezed Arien’s shoulder. “Takin’ my pretty girl here to town. Gonna show her off.”
She glanced up, cheeks turning pink, looking at him in that way he’d come to love, and smiled.
Letting his hand slide down to her waist, he squeezed her hip and winked.
“Arien was just telling us all about the horse you gave her.” Holding onto Dad’s arm with both hands, Jennifer was beaming. “So darn sweet of you, Tanner.”
“Daisy’s a good choice for her, son.” Matthew kissed his wife on the cheek. “Make sure you two are back in time for supper. Grams’ll be here.”
“And Auntie Kim?”
“You know it.” His head bobbed with a chuckle. “Emily too. Maybe she’ll have Billy with her since they’ll all be goin’ to school together.”
Holding Arien close to his side, Tanner walked her over to his truck and opened the door. She angled her head to look up at him. “Who’s Emily?”
“Your new cousin.” He smiled, buckling her in. “And your new best friend.”
“Oh.” She watched him climb into the driver’s seat. “And who’s Billy?”
“Her, uh…boyfriend.” Tanner started up the truck. “Emily’s the same age as you. Until we get you a car, I reckon you’ll be gettin’ a ride to school with her.”
“I don’t need a car.” Chewing on the corner of her lip, Arien looked down at her lap.
“Sure, you do.” He laced his fingers with hers. “Bet you get one for your birthday. Me and Kellan got our trucks last year.”
