Page 232 of Josephine and Clay

Dallas studies me for a second. "Okay."

I lean back. "What do I need to know?"

"You need to stop treating responsibility as a punishment."

That one lands squarely in the center of my chest.

Dallas notices. "Kids aren't something that happens to your life."

I stare at the desk.

He continues quietly. "They become your life."

My mind jumps to Josie sitting alone at appointments, building budgets and making plans while assuming I'd never stick around long enough to help.

Because she assumed I'd leave.

The guilt still stings.

Dallas closes a folder. "Look."

I glance up.

His expression has softened. "You're already asking questions."

"That's enough?"

"It's more than some people do."

I let out a slow breath.

Maybe it is.

Around lunchtime, I find Nash at the dude ranch.

Finding Nash is easy. Hearing him is easier. His voice carries across approximately three counties.

"That's not how horses work, Kevin!"

A tourist looks alarmed.

Nash sighs dramatically. "Why do people come to ranches without understanding livestock?" He spots me. "Clay!"

The tourist escapes immediately.

Smart man.

Nash slings an arm around my shoulders before remembering my leg. "Right. You're fragile."

"I'm not fragile."

Nash grins. "What do you need?"

Apparently, word travels fast.

I glance around. "Fatherhood advice."

His entire face lights up.