Page 72 of Things Left Unsaid

“COLT! What do I do when it’s in the lasso?”

Callan’s screech has me retreating another step.

To Loki, I promise, “I’ll make it up to her,” before I jog back to my brother.

I don’t know that that’ll be the last time I see Loki alive.

Hell, I don’t even remember why I went in there.

I just race toward Callan, growling, “I told you not to practice while I was in the stables.”

Zee

PRESENT DAY

“At least he’s cute.”

“You changed your mind,” I grumble. “You nearly bit my head off when I said he didn’t look like Freddy Krueger.”

“Yes, and being the optimistic person that I am, I realize how lucky you are to be trapped into marriage with a man who looks like Colton andnotFreddy.” Her stare is both pointed and chiding. “It’s called ‘glass half full,’ Zee. You should try it sometime.”

Wryly, I nod. “If you say so, Tee.”

Tee sniffs, but Parker asks, “How cute?” before she can gripe at me.

“You didn’t google him?”

Watching us pack, Parker shrugs. “Wanted to see for myself.”

Humming as she folds up the last of my clothes, Tee declares, “He’s a nine.”

Parker whistles. “A nine?!”

“I’m knocking a point off because he’s forcing my best friend to marry him.”

“It isn’t forced if she signed a contract,” is Parker’s input. “Plus, she’s packing of her own free will. I don’t see a gun pointing at her head.”

“We’re Canadian. We don’t do guns.”

I cough. “Ranchers do guns.”

“Shotguns. Not handguns and pistols. We’re polite,” Tee insists.

Parker props her chin on her fist. “If you love Canada so much, why don’t you freakin’ live there?”

“It’s better to pine. You appreciate it more.”

“I don’t. I like it here plenty.” I plunk another box by the door. “This officially sucks. Even if my honeymoon isn’t on Elm Street.”

“According to Tee, the perk is you get a cute husband so no complaining,” Parker says helpfully.

“I don’t want a cute husband.”

“She gets a baby out of it too,” Tee tacks on.

Parker grimaces.

I point a finger at her expression. “That’s exactly how I feel about this.”

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