Page 109 of Stables

“Are you guys serious?” Sophia asks once we’re far enough out of ear shot.

There’s zero pause before my reply. “Yep.” I aim Shadow towards a clustered group of cows and calves.

Sophia spurs her mare to follow. “So, I gotta ask, is it weird that you and Dad both have women that are almost my age?” Her voice has a hushed tone.

I’ll give her credit, she isn’t afraid of the hard questions.

Reining my gelding back, I wait until she stops before I look at her. “Soph, sometimes the right person is just that. If they’re two consenting adults, and want to spend time together, have common goals and dreams, who’s it hurting?”

Mason told me the fit she threw last year when she found out about his relationship with Lori.

It riles me now more than it did then. Leaning on my elbow, I let it dig into my thigh to keep my temper in check. “If you give Char one ounce of shit over this, you know I won’t be as fucking delicate as your father.”

A rush of red works up her cheeks. “I won’t!” she protests. “I’m okay with them, too. They just caught me by surprise.” Her palms raise on either side of her head in surrender. “I think Char’s great. I guess I just never pictured you with anyone…” She trails off, blinking quickly. “I’m glad it’s her. I don’t know what I’d do if you had some city nurse or something.” Her smile returns. “It’s been fun teaching Lori how to ride, but I’m getting too old to do that again.”

“What are you, twenty?” I chuckle, trying to lighten things as I prod my horse to move again. “Do you have any idea how much crap I’ll give you if you ever date a guy in his thirties?”

Her mouth twists. “Not gonna happen, Uncle Dix. That’sancient.” She giggles and kicks the flanks on her mare to cut to the right away from me.

Thirties are ancient? And I’m barely clinging to them. Forty next year.

I guess it took me longer to get my priorities straight.

As I’m working my way along the fence line, a reflection catches my vision.

Is that a pickup?

My head shifts until I can see Char in the distance talking to Lori.

An antsy feeling creeps through my limbs making me want to race over to her. It isn’t until the truck pulls slowly along the drive and I see the emblem on the side that I realize it’s Libby.

Fuck. And here I was almost ready to draw my pistol.

Not everyone is out to get Char.

I tip my hat when I see Libby wave, then focus on the reluctant cattle in front of me.

By the time Sophia and I push this next chunk up, Libby is standing next to the fence holding Paisley, chatting it up with Lori and Char.

“God, Char, he looks even better on a horse.” Libby tries to keep her voice low, but it carries on the wind to me.

“I know.” Char’s lips purse in a seductive smile as she watches me.

It’s a struggle to not want to puff out my chest a bit as we get closer.

The raised eyebrow and wrinkled nose Sophia gives me brings me back to earth.

I’m close enough to the sorting pen to smell the fire and burnt hair from the branding crew.

Shadow’s black ears flatten when I move him close to Char. Her horse gives a small side-step, but Char holds her in place.

“You doing okay? How’s Juniper treating you?” My palm finds her thigh.

It’s impossible not to want to touch her. I’m glad I don’t have to resist any longer.

Her pink cheeks raise in a broad grin. “Juniper’s doing so good! It makes me wish I had a few cows at home to train her on.”

I glance around the huge lot, then back to her. “Half of these are yours, Char. I’ll take them anywhere you want them.”

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