Page 74 of Talk About… Rivalry

Heels weren’t ever going to be my thing, even for a baby shower.

Just as I was gathering up Avery’s gifts, the cat door flopped open and my boy Sully hurried in.

“There’s my baby,” I said, scooping him up to give him extra love. He had hay stuck to his fur and I picked it out, giving him a good scratch before going back to my task.

My heart broke at the thought of leaving him behind. I knew that if I didn’t have to come back, I wouldn’t.

I gathered up the gifts and walked out the door, not bothering to lock it as I closed it behind me.

Movement in the training yard caught my attention. More guilt piled on top of my shoulders as the black horse I’d been working with looked at me accusingly.

There was an abandoned bag of carrots and apples against the post. Maybe Uncle Dale left it in hopes I’d stop by.

The horse padded over, eyeing me carefully until I offered a carrot. She took it from me, her eyes still wary, but I swear she was relieved to have me close.

“I’m sorry, girl. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be around,” I admitted. She was tense enough that I could feel it as I rubbed the side of her face. She shifted slightly, giving me better access.

A small, triumphant laugh escaped me but it was enough to spook her and she rushed backwards, away from me. I had no doubt that soon enough they’d have her living her best life.

“I thought you’d forgotten about us.” Uncle Dale’s voice had me turning, ready to face whatever he was going to throw my way. “Did you find a pack, Sidney?”

“Something like that,” I admitted. “Yesterday was a really hard doctor’s appointment and I’m going to have to go away for a week or two.”

He didn’t need to know the intricacies of my heats. That wasn’t exactly the type of relationship I had.

“I’ll talk to your daddy and let him know.”

“Thank you, Uncle Dale.”

He let out a sigh, glancing around at the pasture, and then back at me.

“Just make sure you tell him goodbye before you leave. I know your daddy’s never been good at words or emotions and that’s what chased your mom off. I get why you wouldn’t want to stay, and I’ve been waiting for the day that you’d run like her.”

“I’m nothing like her,” I bit out, tone sharp.

He gave me a sad smile. “No, you aren’t. You’re loyal and I know we took advantage of that. You were an asset here, but you deserve to be out in the world, living your life and finding a pack. Good luck, Sidney.”

We fell quiet for a moment, watching Queenie walk around for a bit before he broke the silence again.

“I’ll find another trainer to help me with the horses. She’ll be fine.”

He gave my shoulder a pat before walking away, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Reaching down, I grabbed a few more apples and carrots, tossing them over the fence before walking away.

I don’t think Uncle Dale had ever showed so much compassion to me. Even if it felt odd, his words rang with truth.

As I drove away from the ranch, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would even miss it when I left.

During the car ride I allowed myself to feel everything, doing my best not to cry and ruin the subtle makeup I had on my face.

And when I pulled into the driveway in front of Mama Whitaker’s house, I took a breath and put on my usual happy mask.

Today wasn’t about me and I was going to ignore all of my own drama, just to focus on my best friend.

She deserved an amazing baby shower.

I was one of the first to arrive. I knocked once on the door before pushing it open and stepping inside.

---