Page 168 of Giddy Up, Daddy

“I don’t know when I’ll ever be,” Kennedy said sadly, grabbing her purse and coat.

It was breaking my heart to let her go, but something told me it was for the best. Kennedy needed space to work out whatever was going on in her brain, and I needed to figure out how I wasgoing to be the best Daddy I could be for both of my favorite brats.

So I let her go, but not without making my intentions clear.

“It’s okay,” I told her. “I can wait. Now that I know both you and Wyatt want to be with me? Even if there are things to work out first, I’m determined to make us balance. So you can go, babygirl, but know this: I’m not giving up.”

And then, while she stood there with her mouth working like a fish, I walked her to the door, kissed her forehead, and let her go, knowing I’d said everything I could. Now I needed actions. And even though the road ahead was not going to be easy as we all figured this out, I knew that compared to everything else I’d faced in my life, wrangling my two brats would be a walk in the park.

Chapter Seven

Alden

A few days after Kennedy safeworded and left, it was killing me to give her space, but I knew it was important. Out in the barn, I took some extra time to rub down Topaz. Thankfully he hadn’t been injured in the crazy ordeal. Topaz was Kennedy’s horse, but he held a special place in my heart. He was a colt from my powerful American quarter horse, aptly named Phantom Eclipse for his midnight coat. Phantom’s injury in the ring had been caused by faulty equipment that had sidelined me. The arena had been proven to be negligent and subsequently shut its operations. I’d slipped from being at the top of my game to wallowing in guilt. My early retirement from roping events and the circuit was a surprise only to my fanbase. Though Phantom lived several more years, the toll from his injuries wrecked his body and he’d passed away too early. No one understood the connection other than my closest friends. His accident had devastated me, and Topaz being hurt would have done the same. Choking up, I brushed Topaz and fed him a treat.

“Alden!”

Glancing to the entrance of the barn, I saw Wyatt striding toward me. His sudden appearance pulled me fully out of my thoughts. My cocky rebel seemed to be in a much better mood.

“What are you yellin’ for? My ears work,” I chided as he came closer.

“I didn’t want to sneak up on you.” He hugged me, nuzzling against my chest.

“Between your loud-ass boots and that heavy stride, the whole world knows when you’re coming.”

“I do love making an entrance.” Wyatt grinned.

“It’s been days since I told you to come over and talk to me.” I’d texted him right after Kennedy left, needing to do something to feel like we were still moving toward an end goal.

His Adam's apple bopped up and down as he swallowed hard. Jabbing his fingers through his dark-red locks, he studied the ground before looking into my eyes. “I’d rather muck out the stalls.”

Was that a challenge? I observed his posture, unsure and vulnerable, much like he’d been the other night after I tanned his hide. Whatever cockiness had dragged him into the barn disappeared. I took the bait.

Handing him a rake, I patted his shoulder and headed out. “Go on then. I’ll be in the house.”

“But–”

“Have fun!” I didn’t hide the extra swagger in my step. If he wanted to battle, I’d show him what he was in for.

Two hours later, Wyatt waltzed into my den. His jeans were covered in dirt and hay and the perpetual scowl on his face had returned.

“I need a shower,” he announced, flopping onto the couch next to me.

“You want company?”

It was a simple question, but his demeanor changed in front of me. His eyes widened and he rubbed the back of his neck. In a flash, the cocky confidence was replaced by something I couldn’t name. Back when we were in the circuit together after a long night of competing, we’d sometimes showered at the same time simply to get in and out. But we never lingered. Allowing a few more moments of silence, I stood.

“Come on, rebel.”

Wyatt followed me into the bathroom that had been redone a few years ago. The showpiece was a huge garden tub, one that always eased tension from my muscles. Years of wrangling left my body sore. Nothing felt better than a long soak. I used fancy bath salts and everything. My walk-in shower featured an oversized waterfall-style spout. I twirled the faucet, setting the water to the right temperature.

“I don’t know what my problem is today,” Wyatt lamented.

“Maybe you realize I’m serious about us.” I took the opening I’d been waiting for, and thankfully, Wyatt responded.

“What about Kennedy?” He frowned and shook his head. “I’m on board, Alden. I already told you that. But it’s not that simple.”

He was right, but I wasn’t ready to let on. I wanted desperately to be in the here and now, focused on him. “What about her?”

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