Page 27 of The Hardest Part

“Gimme those.” Kellan snatched the envelope from her fingers and began rifling through the photographs.

“Christmas.” Arien sat back with a shake of her head. “They’re for Christmas.”

Oops. Too late.

“Goddamn, baby cakes…”

Rendered speechless, Tanner let out a slow, deep whistle.

“Holyyy shit, I’m a lucky guy.” With a grin so wide his dimples disappeared, Billy’s silvery-gray eyes captured her own.

“And why’s that?” Emily asked as if she didn’t already know.

He leaned across the table and kissed her. “‘Cause you’re mine.”

“And mine.” Jake dipped his lips to her ear. “You’re killin’ me here, wild one.”

“Good.” She smiled.

Mission accomplished.

Chaser was miles away in a stable at the ranch. That was the one thing that sucked about living in the center of town, he couldn’t keep his horse at home. The first thing Billy planned to do once they built their house on the creek was ride the chestnut gelding down to graze in his very own meadow. He’d already picked the perfect location for an adjacent paddock and barn.

Billy was nine the winter when Chaser found him. Checking fences with his brother, Kellan, and Tanner, the colt surprised him, nudging him on the shoulder with his nose. Tanner chuckled and said it was the strangest thing he’d ever seen—a wild Mustang making contact with a human like that. It was almost as if the horse had chosen him.

A coat of red mahogany, his mane and tail black, he appeared to be a yearling. Somehow separated from his herd, they haltered the lost little guy and brought him to the ranch. His nose pointed up toward the sun, he frolicked about the snowy paddock as if he were chasing it. Billy figured Sunchaser was a fitting name, but he called him Chaser for short.

Under Tanner’s guidance, he worked with the horse every day. First, leading him at a walk and trot, teaching him to stop on command, and standing tied—basic groundwork. By thetime Chaser turned two, he was easily put under saddle. Ready to ride, young Billy and his faithful companion took to the mountain. The perfect pairing. Together, he and Chaser were one entity.

And it was then that he knew training horses washiscalling.

Sorry, Ma.

Billy and Tanner had plans. Big plans. A vision for the future. He would study equine science in college after he finished high school, while he worked in the stables with Tanner, and Brooks Ranch would become known for not only raising the best beef cattle in the land but the finest horses, too.

“Hey there, Arien,” Billy said with a tip of his hat upon seeing her in the barn tacking up Daisy. “Goin’ for a ride?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna head over to Emily’s.” Brushing her hands off on her jeans, Arien looked up at him from the crossties. “She wants to take Ruby out for some exercise.”

“You two be careful, ya hear? It’s slippery with the ice and all. Nippy, too.” He chuckled, but he meant it. Arien wasn’t an experienced rider like Emily. “Tanner and Kellan know you’re goin’?”

“Wasn’t aware I needed their permission.”

“You don’t, but…” He hesitated. To say anything more would be interfering, not to mention it wasn’t his place to do so.

“But what?”

“That’s a darn nice saddle you got there.” Billy lifted his chin at it, changing the subject. “A real beaut.”

“Thanks.” And her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “I just got it.”

“Custom-made. The finest leather. Real sheepskin lining. Just look at that stitching,” he said, his hand sliding down the rise of the seat. “Your brothers got it for ya, I bet.”

“Yeah, for Christmas.”

“Knew it.” Billy winked. “Only the best for their girl.”

“I’m not their—”

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