Page 117 of Saddle Storm

I brush Skye’s hair absently. She’s calm today, digging her nose into my apron like I’m hiding carrots. “That’s not food, Skye, just haven’t washed this thing lately.” I lift my apron to give it a sniff. “Promise, I’ll pick some up for you later.”

Skye lifts her head as Wilder comes through the door.

“Oh, hey, boss. You here for Tuscan? I’ll get him ready for you.”

He tips his hat with a grin. “I can saddle my own horse, Storm.” He eyes me with Skye and gives a curt nod. “Besides, you look busy.”

“Oh, well,” I toss the comb aside and swipe my hands against my apron. “Someone’s gotta keep her pretty.”

He preps Tuscan for a ride, praising his horse as I reach for a lead rope and recoil it properly.

“Say, why don’t you come for a ride with me?”

I glance back at him. “’Cause I’m on the clock.”

“So take a break. It’s going to get too cold for it soon enough.” He doesn’t wait for my response, simply hands me her saddle and I don’t argue. It’s not often I can take Skye out without someone else doing the riding, and she doesn’t particularly like that.

I squint against the sun as we ride slow along the fence line. “Where we going?”

“Wherever you want.” He tilts his chin to my horse. “Skye’s yours now. Off the market and unavailable for lessons.”

I freeze, pulling the reins. “This more of Silas’s doing?”

Wilder chuckles, pulling Tuscan to a stop and turning back to me. “No. I’m taking credit for this one. I’ve seen you with her. Can tell she’s your favorite,” he nods at her, “and it’s reciprocated.”

“I’ll pay for her,” I offer, not bothering to argue. I’d love nothing more than to call her my own.

He shakes his head. “She’s not for sale. She’s a gift. And you’re takin’ it.”

I smile. “Carrie taught me to ride on her—years ago.”

He looks thoughtful. “I didn’t know that.”

I stroke her neck. “I was happy to see she was still here when I came back last year.”

“Meant to be, if you ask me.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “So . . . this was all you? Silas had nothing to do with it?”

“Okay, full disclosure? Silas is just an added bonus.”

“How so?”

He moves his horse closer. “Heard about what happened at the game this weekend. And it’s only a matter of time before my little brother finds out I knew. So I thought I’d offset his reaction by telling him I gave you your favorite horse.”

“You knew?” I almost wince. I’ve had my suspicions about it being more than just Mr. Thorne and Ginger knowing about Jasper. But never questioned it.

He nods. “And before you ask, no one’s judging you for it.”

My head drops to Skye. Does that include Silas?

“You two all right?” Wilder asks.

“Yeah, we’re all right,” I lie. “He just . . . well this kind of thing . . . takes time to adjust to.”

“Time. Bullshit,” he bites and I blink at him. “Sorry, but it is. Way I see it is my brother wasn’t there and Jasper was. End of story. Whatever happened, happened and he needs to deal with it like a man.”

“All right, cowboy, calm your horses.”