Page 72 of High Intensity

Dan was off on an errand and Sloane asked me to look after the little one for a couple of hours while she went for her doctor’s appointment. I ended up taking the little one out on the sled and dragged her around the paddock and to the barn and back, when Ama called us over to join Thomas on the porch for some hot chocolate.

“That boy is as smitten with that little girl as he is with her momma,” Thomas contributes.

“I’m not sure how far that’s going to fly with Sloane right now,” I point out.

Sloane, who returned to the ranch after her doctor was called away for an emergency and her appointment postponed until next week, spotted Dan unloading the surprise gift he picked up for Aspen’s birthday. Never mind the girl doesn’t turn one until April, still almost two months away.

From what I’ve been able to pick up from my perch on the porch, the cute little black-and-white Shetland pony had been well-trained and the price a steal he couldn’t pass up, but apparently Dan didn’t clear his plans with the baby’s mama first. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion his timing to pick up said pony while Sloane was supposed to be at her appointment was not an accident.

“What were you thinking?”I hear Sloane raise her voice at him.“She’s only one, she can’t look after a pony, so guess who’s going to be doing that?”

Dan says something in response, but I don’t hear more than the faint rumble of his voice as he obviously tries to calm her down.

“And what about when the team gets called out and you’re gone for days at a time? I’ll not only have a toddler and a dog, but also a newborn to look after, and now you’re adding a damn pony?”

We’ve gone from angry to emotional, and I have a feeling Sloane has just shed a light on what really has her freaked out. It has less to do with the cute little Shetland and more with the fact she is pregnant.

“Hormones,” Thomas mutters.

He’s not wrong, but he’d better not say that to Sloane’s face or she might lose it altogether.

From what Sloane told me, Aspen’s father decided parenthood wasn’t for him when the baby was only a few months old. I could see how she could worry history might repeat itself. Of course the rest of us can see Dan would never be that guy, but given Sloane’s earlier experience, it may not be as obvious to her.

I have a feeling Dan may have clued in to some of that as well. I watch him take Sloane in his arms.

“What’s going on over there?” Wolff asks, coming up the porch steps.

He’d been out on the ranch with JD this morning, carting hay to some of the outer pastures. We’d had our own argument about it earlier, since I didn’t think the doctor’s, “Take it easy for a few days,” translated into going out on an ATV and hauling bales of hay. Wolff argued he would be careful but had to burn off some energy.

It wasn’t until after he’d taken off, I found out from Sloane the second guy—the one Wolff had shot—did not survive and died last night. The sheriff apparently informed Wolff this morning, but he never told me. I suspect that may have been the reason he insisted on going out, needing some space—some fresh air—to process the information. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it myself, and I wasn’t the one holding the gun.

“Nothing they can’t resolve,” I tell him, walking up and slipping my arms around his waist. “Are you done or do you have to go out again this afternoon?”

When he aims his blue eyes at me, I can see the fresh shadows there.

“We got done what needed to be done.”

“Good, because I was hoping maybe you could drive me back to my place this afternoon.”

“Wow. You’re not wasting any time,” Wolff scoffs, taking a step back. “Sure, I’ll drive you home.”

As I register his response may have been a little abrupt, he’s already down the porch steps and disappearing toward the cabins.

I turn to Thomas, a little confused. “What just happened?”

But he just shakes his head. “Other than that communication seems to be a lost art? Heck if I know; must be something in the dang air.”

Before I have a chance to react, Aspen suddenly starts crying.

“What’s wrong, little one?” I coo, picking her up from her spot at the railing.

“Mama…”

I guess she saw Sloane, because she’s twisting her little body in my arms to keep her mother in view. Of course her cries have not gone unnoticed, both her parents are already making their way over. Dan has the pony by the lead.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Sloane plucks Aspen from my arms. “Want a sneak peek at what your silly daddy bought you for your birthday?”

“Isn’t her birthday yet,” Thomas contributes.

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