Page 231 of Things Left Unsaid

His eyes widen as he tries to shrug off my hold on him. “I know you gave her that alibi to keep her ass out of jail. I never understood why you protected her after what she did.”

“Theo,” I interrupt. “I get it. We’re friends. You can say shit to my face that other people wouldn’t get away with, but don’t push me too far. Zee is my wife. That’s what matters.

“Thisis why we haven’t talked much, isn’t it? You think I’m the one who’s been quiet, but when was the last time you came to the house for dinner? You’re avoiding Zee.”

He pulls a face. “I’m not breaking bread with a murderer. I saw what her actions did?—”

I tighten my grip on his collar then let go of him in a smooth move that has him jerking back a couple steps. “She didn’t hurt anyone. She didn’t set fire to our stables. She didn’t kill Loki. Hell, she’s the only reason Terry hasn’t put my ass in jail.

“You hear anyone in Pigeon Creek talking smack about her, I expect you to defend her as a courtesy to me. Understood?”

He rubs his neck, but I know that’s for show. Jesus, we got tossed around more by bucking broncos in our day than what I put him through. “If she didn’t, who did?”

I settle a measured look on him. “Clyde.”

Theo lets loose a snort. “Yeah. Right.”

“Yeah.Right.”

He gapes at me. “You’re not joking?”

“I’m not. What about this conversation is funny? I haven’t been talking to you because, to be frank, I don’t have anything to say.

“It’s not because of a woman, be that Maria or Zee. It’s nothing to do with Bea or Marvin. I’m notsulkingwith you like a child. We’re grown-ass men who’ve been friends long enough to know one another. I.e., if you think getting married turned me into a social butterfly, you’re mistaken.”

Turning away from him, I saddle myself on Fen’s back in a smooth rolling jump that I’ve perfected over the years.

“If we’ve done gossiping like teenage girls, get on your damn horse so we can start working.”

Though he frowns, he nods and I leave him to it, taking off for the northwest quadrant where we have four heifers still waiting to calf.

Five minutes later, once he’s seated on Esmeralda, he joins me out in the pasture. “I guess I just don’t know what’s going on. You didn’t tell me you were getting married and then youemailedto tell me you’d been detained.”

“Time was short.”

“What stopped you from talking to me afterward?”

“Theo, you were dealing with Bea.” I shrug. “Plus, it was a nonstarter of a conversation. I didn’t do it. Saw no need to bring it up. What did you argue about?”

“With Bea?” At my nod, he grumbles, “How Esmeralda has more capacity for feeling than me.”

“That’s no harsher than her calling you the Tin Man.” When he tugs on his collar, I grimace. “So, this is you practicing how to be more emotionally available? Can’t you do this with someone else?”

“Oh, yeah. Who? My brothers? My dad?” He narrows his eyes at me. “I was your wingman for four years in university and you can’t do this for me?”

“Mywingman? Ha! I was yours.”

“Okay, so maybe you were,” he grouses. “Not my fault all the women want you.”

“They wanted you too.” Grinning, I nudge Fen with my knee to shift him a few paces away from Esmeralda when Horny Houdini looks too interested in her for my taste. “They wanted me and the Korhonen millions first.”

“Those dang millions.” Still, he smiles and the atmosphere feels lighter until: “How did you end up being married to a stranger, Colt?”

For a second, I don’t answer.

I let a thousand memories tumble through my mind.

A thousand that I never shared with anyone.

---