Page 141 of We Drank the Dawn

“She wouldn’t want Peter to take this kind of risk.”

“Well, if she picked up her damn phone maybe she could tell Peter to stop.”

Tag laced his brows. “What do you mean?”

“He calls her every single night.” I shook my head. “Sometimes he calls her three or four times just so he can leave her voice mails about his day. But she blocked him, so his calls don’t even ring. I don’t know what the hell she’s waiting for, but Peter is barely hanging on and misses her so much that he—” I stopped myself. The fact that Peter barely slept at night wasn’t mine to share. “Listen, he needs an outlet. Trust me.”

Tag finally spoke. “I trust you, Cooper.”

I exhaled with relief.

Bea turned to look at him, her eyes watering with confusion.

Tag kissed her forehead, pulling her into the crook of his arm. “I understand where you’re comin’ from, Bea. I do. But I think Cooper is right. Peter is a smart guy, and he knows the risks better than anyone⁠—”

“The recklessness of this worries me,” Bea said quietly. “What if he wants to get hurt?”

I shook my head, emphatic. “That’s not it.”

Bea asked, “Are you sure, Cooper?”

“Yes. I’m positive. He might know the gamble he’s taking, but he’s not trying to get himself killed out there. He told me that doing something he’s never done with sight makes him feel more capable of doing it blind.”

“What’s his goal?” Tag asked.

“Say he did it. Have fun. Feel good about himself.” I shrugged. “He wants to compete at least once, but I need to find one he can register for.”

“Hilltown Stockyards,” Tag said. “They have an amateur open the first weekend in November.”

“That’s only a few days away.”

Tag tipped his watch toward his face. “Time’s flyin’. Well, you can see if they still have registration open.”

“Thanks. I’ll look into it.”

Bea looked down at the table, a lock of her hair falling in her face. Her voice was quiet. “I’m sorry for freaking out.” Tag rubbed her arm. “It’s just—he’s been through so much already.” When she lifted her eyes to mine, a fat tear rolled down her cheek. “Please help him be careful, Cooper. Please.”

“I promise I will.”

And I meant that.

Later, when I filled Peter in on the conversation, all he did was smirk, and we stopped our chores to look up Hilltown Stockyards. I thought he was crazy, registering for something like that when he was as inexperienced as he was, but he said, “This might be my last chance. If everything goes according to plan, I won’t be here much longer.”

And even though I clapped him on the back, those words sent my heart into my stomach.

FORTY-SEVEN

Peter

The smell of garlic wafted toward my nose as I climbed the porch steps for dinner. Despite the afternoon’s grueling workload, I’d had a pep in my step all day. Every moment of the day, I marveled at my new-found confidence, noting the ease in which I went through my day. How quickly I found the tools I needed, how I kept tabs on my surroundings without having to try too hard, how I bantered with the cowboys all day long, and how I was actually starting to enjoy my life again.

Even though my ranch beginnings were sour, I had to admit a truth to myself: I had needed this time at Meadowbrook. When Tag threw me into work, it felt like torture at the time—a slap in the face almost. But it was tough love—the kind I never could’ve found in Colorado where my existence was too protected, too padded by people who loved me and just wanted to help.

Crazy to think only a few weeks ago, I was laying in bed, contemplating the worth of my life. But now, here I was, surrounded by men I respected and doing honest work. Even Chip was trying to find some new clients for me. As soon as I could get my hands on my tech, I planned to start working remotely for the firm again. I knew I could do it this time. My muscles were stronger, my head was higher, and my resolve was deeper than ever before.

And my desire for Sarah burned like a flame.

Tomorrow, there’d be a floral delivery at the sports club where she worked. All the other days of the week she worked in client’s homes, and according to the grapevine, Sarah wasn’t spending much time at home, so it seemed like delivering to her workplace was the best option to make sure the flowers weren’t just left on our doorstep. I didn’t know if my excitement could handle waiting for two more days.