Page 55 of Something Unavoidable

Izzy’s smile was hesitant, but real. “Deal.”

Four days.

That was all Keegan had lasted before he found himself locking up the clinic early and driving over to the ranch in search of his wayward brat.

It wasn’t as if they had cut all communication since the cabin. Izzy had texted a picture of Riley with her head out the window of the SUV as they made their way down the mountain. Keegan had reacted, after a brief search, with a heart-eyed dog emoji that got him a string of laughing faces in return.

It had lightened some of the heaviness in his chest as he had packed, loaded the other two dogs into the truck, and closed the cabin. It wouldn’t be the last week Izzy spent there with them, Keegan was sure of it. Even if he had to talk to Ryan into letting Keegan kidnap his ranch hand again.

That first message was followed by multiple “Riley” updates a day. There was usually just enough information in the background so that he knew Izzy was also okay. Like the photo of Riley in bed, stealing Izzy’s pillow, along with the caption “I think I’m gonna need a bigger mattress.”

Keegan responded with a screenshot of a room with two king-sized mattresses pushed together.

Or the picture of Riley on the back porch up at the ranch house with Milo, both of them with tongues lolling and mud up to their bellies.

Brat

Milo is a bad influence on our sweet girl.

Keegan had set the photo, along with the text, as his lock screen. He was holding Izzy to that “our.”

That had been yesterday and, since then, radio silence.

Which was why Keegan was walking down the main aisle of the barn three days early, in search of Izzy. It was quieter than usual for a weekday afternoon, but there could be several reasons for that. Izzy’s car was outside, at least, so he was around somewhere. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too pissed off at Keegan for breaking his word about giving him a week. If he was, Keegan had half a dozen ways in mind to make it up to him.

He tried the loft first, but his knock went unanswered. He called out as well, just in case, but was met with more silence.

Back in the barn, he headed for the far end, where the rescues were still stalled. Turning the corner, he came to an abrupt halt at the sight in front of him. What the hell?

It was Alice, which was only a little surprising because the last he’d heard, she was avoiding the rescues until they were healthier and didn’t trigger so many feelings. That must have changed in the week Izzy and Keegan were gone. Alice had Sunny, the demon pony, in the crossties and was crouched in front of her, dropping loud kisses on her nose.

“Who’s the goodest girl?” she asked in a voice that Keegan often heard her use on her foals and his dogs. “You. Yes, you are,” she said, giving Sunny several more kisses before standing, grooming brush in hand.

Keegan had to admit, Sunny looked great, her coat as clean and well-groomed as he’d ever seen it, her mane and tail brushed and tangle-free. Even her fuzzy ears were up, perked in Alice’s direction and swiveling to listen to her as she moved around, cleaning up.

“Um. Alice?” Keegan called, keeping his voice low but afraid to get any closer, lest he startle Sunny and Alice got hurt in the process.

Alice turned, noticed him, and gave a little wave. “Hi. Are these guys on your schedule today?” Her gaze shifted to the side as she went through her mental calendar.

“No,” Keegan said. “I was just stopping by.” His eyes went back to Sunny. “I know you have the magic touch,” he told her. “But that pony was vicious a week ago. What happened?”

“What happened with— Oh, this sweet girl?” She leaned down and wrapped her arms around Sunny’s neck, half draped over her back in a way that made Keegan cringe internally and fear for her safety. “She just hates men,” Alice told him bluntly.

Keegan stared. “She…”

Alice stayed where she was, while Sunny stood patiently—like she hadn’t nearly taken off Keegan’s balls with her teeth a month ago. “Hates men,” Alice repeated. “Izzy couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true. It was just the ladies here while you and Izzy were doing whatever two guys do locked in a cabin in the mountains for a week. We figured it out pretty fast, and Micah tested it when they got back. He’s still limping a little.” She stood and flicked her messy braid over her shoulder. “Too bad we didn’t know sooner. I guess it could have saved you some time.”

Keegan shook his head, bemused. If it weren’t for Sunny and her apparent man-hating ways, Keegan might never have taken the time to get to know Izzy. And Izzy sure as hell wouldn’t have let Keegan in. So, really, he was grateful, even if the process had been painful for everyone involved. “It’s fine. It was time well spent, either way.”

Alice nodded. “Yeah. That’s what Izzy said too.”

“Speaking of Izzy,” Keegan said. “Is he around?”

“No,” Alice replied, unclipping Sunny to return her to her stall.

“Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“Why would I? I’m not his secretary.” Alice sounded a little exasperated, and Keegan bit back a chuckle. “After the interview, I guess.”

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