Page 94 of Rewrite Our Story

My vision blurs with new tears at the vivid shades of orange and yellow in front of me. The field is large and beautifully kept. The colors are so vibrant that I can’t look away.

I feel Cade before I see him. I turn to him, my tears hot against my cheeks as they stream down my face. “What is this?” My words come out hoarse.

“A reminder of you,” he answers honestly. His gaze doesn’t falter from mine. His amber eyes stare back at me with an immense amount of love and adoration. “A heartbroken man’s attempt to cling to the love he’d lost.”

“I don’t understand.”

“There’s one more thing I haven’t told you,” Cade confesses.

52

CADE - AGE TWENTY-SIX

“What areyou doing out here so late, honey?” My mom’s voice catches me by surprise.

Dolly lets out a sigh as she waits for me to dig another peppermint out of my pocket. I laugh, pulling out one for her and one for me.

“Couldn’t sleep so I ended up out here.”

Mom nods, stopping next to me as she lovingly scratches the horse’s chin. “She seems in good spirits.”

I finish unwrapping Dolly’s peppermint. Holding my hand out flat, I wait for the tickle of the horse's lips against my palm as she takes the peppermint from me. “She was being moody earlier today, so I thought I’d stop by and spoil her a little extra.”

“I know it’s been years, but sometimes I wonder if she still misses Mare. If the reason for all her little outbursts is because she hasn’t seen Mare.”

I grunt. I don’t blame the horse. Mare should’ve been back by now to give attention to the horse she’s had since she was a teenager. Dolly is only getting older. She deserves to see the one person she really loved.

Feeling bad for the horse, I unwrap the last peppermint in my pocket, the one I was about to eat, and feed it to the horse. “I’ve got bad news for you, Dolly. I don’t think she’s coming back.”

Mom straightens the purse on her shoulder. It catches my attention. Propping an elbow on the stall door, I give my mom a look. “Where have you been tonight?”

With how high and bright the moon is in the sky, I know it’s late. Mom isn’t normally one to stay out late. Most nights she’s home at the ranch before the sun even sets.

“It was book club night with The Sutten Mountain Book Exchange ladies. Lotty tried out this new recipe for fresh blueberry mojitos. We were having a blast and lost track of time.”

I laugh. “Lotty is always trying something new, isn’t she?”

Mom sets her purse down. She runs her fingers through Dolly’s mane. “We read a fantastic book this month.” She watches me closely—too closely.

“I’m happy for you,” I quip. I know exactly what book they read this month. More importantly,whosebook they were reading. Mare’s debut novel has been the talk of the town since it was released. You walk in anywhere, and it’s all anyone can talk about.

Even Buck at Bucky’s can’t seem to shut up about how proud he is of Mare for publishing the book. The memories of her already haunt this small town enough. She had to pour salt in the wound by publishing a book that sent this entire town into a tizzy.

“Are you going to ask what book?” Mom asks after some time, letting me have time with my thoughts before she prods.

I turn to face her, finding her already watching me closely. She’s got that look, the one that makes me feel like she can read me like a goddamn book. I try to be closed off, to not let anyone know what I’m thinking because it’s really none of their business, but none of that works with Mom. She can easily tell when something is bothering me.

And right now what’s bothering me is Goldie and the fucking book everyone in this town is fawning over.

“I already know what book,” I clip, giving Dolly one final pet before backing away from the stall door.

My mom follows closely behind as I walk out of the barn, stopping in front of an old porch swing Dad built for her years ago.

“Cade, wait.” Her voice raises an octave with concern.

I stop, pinching the bridge of my nose. I’ve had enough reminders of Mare to last a lifetime. I don’t need my mom bringing her, or this book, up, too.

I turn to face her, taking a deep breath so I don’t take my hurt out on her.

---