Page 32 of Wild Horses

The answer is easy.

With renewed clarity, I say my goodbyes to my sister. Shutting off the lamp, I slide my arms behind my head and stare into the dark. A smile tugs at my lips as I drift off to sleep. Tomorrow, I take steps toward the future I want.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

laramie

I step into my trailer and fling myself onto the small sofa next to my dad.

“You’re back earlier than I expected.” He raises one graying eyebrow at me.

“Want to tell me what all you and the man I spent the last three months mooning over talked about?” I playfully scold him for blindsiding me.

Dad takes a draw from his long neck and huffs. “Nope.”

“No?” I repeat, my mouth dropping open.

“You two need to talk things out. I did my part in getting him back to see you.”

I slump against the cushions and cross my arms over my chest. “Fine. At least tell me how he was during my run.”

“Mesmerized, Mimi. Absolutely mesmerized.”

Something bright and fizzy rises from my stomach before settling in my heart. It reminds me of my first sip of champagne, filling all the empty places inside me, swelling and welling until I burst.

A line of tears trickle down my cheeks, and I hasten toscrub them away. Scoffing, I say, “Of course he was. I’m awesome.” My voice cracks on the last word, belying my bravado.

The warm comfort of my father’s hug wraps around me. “Damn straight.”

“Ugh, okay, okay. Enough sniveling.” I fan my face and laugh while snagging Dad’s beer to finish it off. After a beat, I murmur, “He’s taking me to breakfast in the morning.”

When my dad doesn’t respond, I glance at him and catch him staring at me with a soft, goofy smile.

“What?”

“Nothing, Mimi. Just like seeing you like this.”

“A crying mess? You didn’t get enough of that back in December? And January? And?—”

“These tears are different. You’ve got that gleam in your eyes, your spark.”

I shrug. “I’m a nervous wreck. What if I mess up again?”

“Then you apologize again.” Dad chucks my chin. “Nothing’s permanent until you’re six feet under. If you want this to work with him, you’ll make it happen.”

Whispering, I ask what’s been on my mind since I saw War. “Can we make it work? I travel so much. We’re so different…”

Dad is the only one who sees this side of me. The world gets the brash, bold, wild parts. Kit Larson gets the rest.

He weighs his words before answering. “If there’s one thing that’s always been true about you, you go after and get what you want. If War is it, it'll work out. I have no doubts about that. But, Mimi, you have to be all in. No relationship can survive if you have a foot out the door or are looking for a reason to run.”

“How’d you get to be so smart?”

“Well, I’ve been around the sun a few times. I traded mygood looks for all the experience that comes with age. Plus, I had your mom. She taught me everything I know.”

“I miss her.” Though Mom’s been gone over ten years, I still wish she was here. For moments like this, to watch me race, for my dad.

He squeezes my shoulder. “Me too. She’d like War.”

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