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“I’m doing what I can to keep my risk of cancer reappearing low,” he says softly. “That’s all we need to worry about right now.”
“Well, you just gave me about six other things to worry about,” I grumble.
“Nora. You can’t prevent an act of God. All you can do is take this day. These problems.” He taps the table. “All you can do is deal with what you have and live the life you’re given.”
I don’t respond.
My dad sighs. “How was the night?”
“Uneventful,” I lie. Sex with Clint was very, very eventful. As was cuddling with Landon last night. As was the kiss Shane dropped on me when I came downstairs this morning.
I don’t think my dad would be happy if he knew any of that, though.
“Good.” He nods. “Rhett and the fire department are trying to figure out the timing, so they can talk to Sheriff Mendez about looking at some of the security cameras in town.”
“Why would the town cameras pick up someone coming to our property?”
My dad shrugs. “Unless whoever started the fire is just some kind of vagabond, running through the fields and living in the mountains, he would have left town at some point.”
I guess that’s logical. I stand, leaning in to kiss my dad on the forehead.
He smiles as I pull back. “What was that for?”
“I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, Bluebird. And you know what?”
I tilt my head. “What?”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m grateful for those boys from the Wild Spur,” he rumbles.
I laugh. “Me too.”
I doubt he’d feel grateful if he knew about us, but honestly? I’m sure that he would actually rather not know. This is between us, me and the guys. What we have right now isn’t exactly conventional, but I don’t care. If nothing else, it makes me like them that much more. The fact that they’re willing to meet me with what I want, and what I need? It’s sexy.
I also feel like I can actually count on them. For example, even though he’s pretty crusty, Clint has been nothing but protective toward me. He’s made sure that I didn’t get hurt when Thunder delivered her foals. He made sure that Kendall and I managed to get out of the bar without running into a fight. Even when he’s been fighting himself and how he feels with me, he’s been kind to me.
And he’s sexy as hell. The thing he does with horses is absolutely a miracle to watch. He’s skilled. He’s protective and grumpy, but he isn’t an asshole.
Shane is smart. He’s come back to the conversation about my MBA a couple of times since he last brought it up, and I appreciate how thoughtful he is when we talk. I can also see that he’s smart as hell, and even though he’s clearly a trust fund baby as much as Aaron was, he’s… different. It hasn’t gotten to his head, that’s for sure.
Landon is like a puppy. It’s hard to hate him. He’s always so sunny and easy to talk to. I love laughing at his jokes, and how quick he is to lean in with a hug or a touch, always ready to help me feel better.
All of them together are insanely competent. They’re a team, a well-oiled machine, and together, they get shit done. That, more than anything, is sexy.
For the first time, the threat of Aaron feels a little less. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, and like Aaron following me here is all my fault, I feel… reassured.
With these guys on my side, I feel like I can do anything.
It’s a good feeling. I don’t think that I’ve felt like I can truly count on anyone, aside from my dad, in… Well. Maybe ever.
My dad taught me to be fiercely independent. He raised a daughter that would one day inherit a ranch all by herself. But that shit is hard. It’s so much nicer, so much easier, to have people that I can rely on. People that I can count on to help me. People who have my back.
God, it’s so nice.
With that thought, and a smile on my face, I head out. I want to find the guys. I know they had a rough night, so I want to see if they need anything. I’d love to help however I can.
Repaying the favor to them feels right. We’re a little beyond neighborly at this point. But…
