Page 104 of Stables

Red blazes up Char’s throat, but she takes his palm in a brisk shake.

“Man, that Misty sure is something else. Did Uncle Dixon tell you that Sophia might make it to the championships with her?I’ve been helping her go all over, and that mare is amazing.” His blue eyes glimmer in excitement.

“That would be incredible. I’m glad to hear they’re both doing well. I can’t wait to see them in action together.” Char’s shoulders soften with my nephew’s chatter.

“Mommy?” Paisley calls out, her little body pressing against the wall as her gaze flicks between Ford and Sawyer.

“It’s very nice to meet you.” Char turns to urge Paisley to follow her. “Come on baby girl, we’re almost done.”

“Go ahead and back in your trailer.” Ford pats Sawyer’s arm.

“Right. How many total?” Sawyer glances up to me, one leg on the ground, the other on the top step.

“There’s sixteen. The one in stall eight is close to popping, so put her near the front.” Reaching down, I grab the bag and toss it in the bed of my truck.

“A kid too? I never woulda believed it if I hadn’t seen it.” Ford chuckles, clapping me on the back as he passes. “It’s about fucking time, Dix. Thought you were gonna be one of those ‘confirmed bachelors’.” His white teeth flash in the night air before he fades into the darkness.

“You’re next, Ford.” I know he’s had a hard life, but he deserves happiness too.

There’s a long pause, and I can hear his footsteps drawing away from me.

Maybe he didn’t hear me.

“I had my chance.” His words echo through the summer air like a hammer striking an anvil.

I know he did.

I helped him try to clean up the mess of it.

With a deep breath, I stop dwelling on the past, and go inside to find my future.

“Dix, I thought you said this was a cabin?” Char’s eyes shine like crystals beneath the hanging antler chandelier in the broad living room.

The place is a miniature version of the main lodge, and not near the square footage of my house nearer the clinic.

“Will you be comfortable here?” I genuinely want her to be.

“It’s huge!” She drops her backpack on a bare spot off the cow hide rug.

“You said that last night.” I can’t resist teasing.

Seeing her smile and in awe makes something in my chest ache, in a good way.

Her light giggle bounces off the split log walls.

Ford enlisted two others to unload the horses into one of the empty barns while we moved in.

Paisley mimics her mother’s exclamations with both of her arms held out over her head. “Wow!” she yells loud enough to echo into the high ceiling.

But when she does it again, Char is quick to shush her. “Okay now. Once was enough.”

A knock startles them both.

I was expecting it.

“Lori, come in.” Stepping forward, I take the cardboard box out of her hands and hold the door open.

“Hi,” she says breathlessly. “I have these toys that Jack isn’t old enough for yet, so thought maybe Paisley would enjoy them?”

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