Page 3 of Pigeon

I pull my phone out and shoot off a group text to Vex and Axel. It’s only a few seconds later when I get responses.

Axel: Why?

Me: To kill you. Slowly, painfully and probably twice.

Vex: Something wrong?

Me: Tessie’s driving and you buying her the Jeep. Good luck, brother!

Axel: Fuck! Because of Mac riding with Tessie?

Me: He’s traumatized for life.

Vex: She ok?

Me: She is. Advice—wear a cup!

Axel: Mac or Gunner?

Me: Both. Can you suggest my name as the next VP? Deathbed suggestions carry more weight.

Axel: Ava know yet?

Me: You’re still able to text so I’m guessing she doesn’t. Can I be there when she finds you? Please?

Vex: Tessie at your place again?

Me: Yep. I’m taking her to work.

Vex: Do it before Taja finds out she’s around Horse. I can only go to war once today over that girl.

Me: Do I have your vote for VP after Axel’s funeral?

Vex: Yeah you do. Be nice not to have an ugly VP.

Me: Let Bailey know I’m happy to move in next week. Little Alex needs a daddy.

Axel: Fuck both of you!

Tucking my phone in my pocket, I look up and find two sets of eyes on me.

“Let’s go, Tessie. You’ve caused your limit of drama for one day,” I say with a laugh as I walk toward the backyard.

“Where you going?” Tessie asks, bewildered.

“We park our trucks back here. That way, you’d have to drive through the house to hit them. It could still happen, but the way I figure it, the house would slow you down, and the damage to my truck would be less that way.”

“That’s harsh, Pigeon,” Tessie mumbles as she follows me.

“But sound logic nonetheless, little one.”

Chapter 2

Ivy

Bone-deep exhaustion washes over me, but my day is far from over. Working the evening shifts at FurEver Homes allows me to have my days free to work my family ranch. After a full day of ranch work, I make the hour drive from Fort Collins to the outskirts of Denver, where the rescue is located. I work my shift there and then drive the hour back home to sleep a few hours before starting over again.

I eat more often in my truck than at a table. It’s done on the run, and it’s usually whatever I can grab in a hurry. It’s been a very long time since I had a day off and even longer since I’ve been on a date. My life consists of work and more work. College hasn’t ever been an option, not since Nana and Papa passed, even though it was their dream for me. My life isn’t easy, but I have goals, and I don’t mind working hard for them. I ignore the tired, aching bones and muscles and focus solely on my future plans for the ranch.

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