Page 188 of Things Left Unsaid

But Levi’s an old pro—she’s had to be with Callan as an owner.

The kid can ride like he was born in the saddle, but on her back is the only time he’s ever rowdy. Little heathen. I was always tempted to put him in the junior rodeo but I know he hates crowds.

Levi’s muzzle seeks out Zee’s hand, demanding her due—adoration.

“Fuck,” she whispers.

A frown puckers my brow as realization strikes. “Wait a minute. You haven’t ridden since the fire, have you?”

Her mouth trembles. “I couldn’t. Not after… Then Jez passed when I was seventeen and I never wanted to…”

“I’m so goddamn sorry for not trusting you, Zee.” It’s the only thing I can think to say and it’s not enough. It’ll never be enough.

All these years, she’s borne the blame and she couldn’t bring herself to fucking ride.

The urge to strangle my father has never been as strong as it is right now. But it’s no worse than what I want to do to myself.

My lack of faith?—

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not.”

Levi knows that’s bullshit too because she pushes Zee with her head. A happy chuckle drifts from her, one that urges a smile out of me.

“Didn’t yourgrand-mèremake you?”

“You know she didn’t rely on me for help around the ranch. Said I was a liability.”

“I never understood that.”

Her fingers drift over Levi’s muzzle. “I’ve never seen Callan ride her.”Change of subject—right.

“He gets up early and takes her out onto the property.”

She quirks a brow. “How early?”

“Four AM.”

“Seriously?”

“It’s the only thing he does that’s normal on the ranch,” I say dryly. “It started after Mum left. He didn’t like to be in the house without me there so he’d follow me around. He was so cute back then.”

“He had separation anxiety.”

“Something like that.”

She peeps a look at me, for the first time taking her eyes off Levi. “It must have been hard. You were only young yourself. I was selfish back then. I didn’t realize how much pressure there was on you, didn’t realize how much pressureIadded onto you?—”

“You didn’t add any pressure.”

“I did. I was in the stables when I shouldn’t have been. And I was needy.” Her nose crinkles. “We spent a lot of time together when you probably had other stuff to do.”

“I never thought of it that way. I liked your company. It was a sea of normalcy in a world of chaos,” I tell her, my tone calm. “That’s really how you earned your nickname. You were the only person who ever knew what was going on with me. I couldn’t tell my brothers. They depended on me too much. I had to be the strong one. I didn’t need to be that with you. I needed to be me.”

“Honestly?”

Our gazes clash. “100%.”

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