Page 114 of Saddle Storm

“Because she’s talented and you all adore her?” I point out the obvious.

“Yes. But we weren’t lookin’ for a horse trainer. Hell, we weren’t even offering lessons before she came on board.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t get it.”

He leans in like it’s obvious. “Storm’s special to us because she’s special to you.” He leans back. “You might’a let her go but we weren’t about to.”

I exhale a sharp breath. “Not by choice.”

“I know,” he adds quietly. “And if life’s ever fair in any way—it was bound to bring you two together.” He cocks his head. “Could say we kept an eye on her for you.”

“And the cottage?”

He grins. “I was just giving you shit. Wilder told me you called him pissed about her apartment. We know you. We knew you’d take care of her. That you were going to insist we give her a place. Why do you think Dad came along that morning? Coincidence?”

I shake my head with a breathy laugh. “You fuckers. And the bet?”

“Oh, the bet was real. I didn’t think she’d take it.”

I rub my forehead, simmering down a little. Still conflicted.

“One more before you go?” he asks, sensing my hesitation to leave just yet.

I nod.

He nods back and reaches over the bar to pour us another. “Good. Because as much as I love ’em, I wasn’t planning to talk about women when I asked you to have beers with me.”

I take the full glass he hands me. “I know.”

He sighs. “All right look, I’m going to say my piece, and don’t want any eye-roll or teeth sucking or anything else outta you till I’m done. This shit’s not easy for me either but I’m gonna say it and you’re going to listen.”

“Shoulda said no to one more,” I grumble. “Go on.”

He sucks in a breath. “Look I’m no idiot. I know I’m hard on you. I know when I’ve pushed too far or when I’m the reason you head for those gates the second you can. But since Mom, you don’t have anyone to do that for you. To remind you to take care of yourself. I’m with you, man, your career is all you have. Because you never wanted to look at anything else. It’s all you want, it’s all you know. You got any idea what it’d do to me if you lost that?”

I swallow hard, but don’t bite yet. “I’d end up here and then you’d really be screwed?”

He scoffs. “Yeah.” Then takes a sip. “I just don’t wanna see you lost. It tore me up watchin’ you try to make it around here before finding out it’s not meant for you. And I know we give you shit, but we love having you. This is your home. I don’t give two shits if you can’t ride a horse, even if it came with training wheels, because let’s face it, you could outrun both Wilder and me any day on foot.”

I huff out a laugh and hold up my glass to his.

He smiles. “So, we good? You can stop acting like you hate me when we all know I’m your favorite?”

I nod. “Maybe you are. Maybe that’s why your digs bothered me the most. But after talkin’ to Dad and now you, I think I get it . . . y’all took care of me differently. Maybe the way I needed to be, rather than wasting our time on what I don’t.”

He growls to himself. “I suppose we could do without the digs. But Sunday dinners will sure be a snoozer.”

I scoff and finish the last of my drink. “Somehow I doubt that.” I stand, grabbing my jacket. “Thanks Dallas.”

“Get your ass back to your woman—put a ring on it and put an end to our misery.”

36

I don’t remember sitting down on the couch. I know it was some time after I left Max’s room. Where I’d laid with him for a few minutes, watching him sleep, wondering if a small part of him knew. If he was afraid to ask because Silas was there.

More than anyone, I owe that little guy an explanation. I just don’t know when . . . or how. He’s been so patient. Like he never needed to know. But he does. I know he does.

It’s past one. I’m exhausted. Mentally drained. Instead, I’m staring at the dark outside my living-room window. My pulse hasn’t slowed. My mind is out of control.