Page 71 of Dark Horse

“Glad to hear it.”

“Was there anything else you needed?” He lifts a gray brow in expectation.

“I wanted to make sure you knew you were invited to the wedding. It’s coming up pretty fast, but we didn’t know you’d be in town until recently. We’d love to have you there. Figure we could get caught up. You could bring a date.”

“I’d love to come. I’ve missed out on so much over the last few years. It would be great to catch up and be there for Ramsey. I know he must miss my brother. The two of them were so close.” He fakes another smile.

It’s an underhanded jab on his part to work that last bit in. It was never lost on anyone that Ramsey was the baby and the favorite, but I also never let that change the way I felt about my father. Ramsey was easy to love, and I wasn’t. He was going to go off and play football, and I was going to stay and protect this family. My father needed me to be a legacy, not lovable.

“He does. Quite a bit. I know he’d be happy to see you. Levi and Aspen too.”

“Ah, the whole family is coming then?” He seems a little surprised at that information.

“Yes. Your great niece as well. She’s nearly in college. It’s hard to believe.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to it then. I’ll give you my number, and you can send me the details.” He pulls a card out from his pocket.

“Hopefully, you’ll have the time off with the new position and all.”

“I’ll make time for family.” His smile widens.

“Well then, I’ll let you go in the meantime. Let you get back to your work, and I can get back to mine. Less interference for us both in the future.”

“Let’s hope.” He walks me to the door, and we exchange one last set of goodbyes before I head back off to check in on Dakota.

TWENTY-EIGHT

DAKOTA

“Canyou do my eyeshadow for me? The smokey look you always do?” Hazel rolls her bottom lip and gives me doe eyes. We’re all in her suite at the Avarice, getting ready to go down for dinner. I’ve planned the whole night. Dinner in the restaurant, drinks in the bar, some lap dancing lessons, and then some gambling to round out the evening. Grant was kind enough to give me a limitless tab to treat all the girls tonight as long as I promise not to raise too much hell.

“Of course,” I easily agree, and Hazel slides her eyeshadow palette and a case of brushes in my direction. Bristol and I have always been her go-to makeover team. In fact, she pretty much insisted that Bristol does her makeup tomorrow for the wedding, and we spent hours going over looks the last few weeks.

“Have you decided when you’re going on vacation yet?” Hazel glances over at Bristol before she lowers her lashes so I can apply the first sweep of shadow over her lids. Bristol and Anson took first place in the games at Hazel’s pre-wedding party and won the trip we’d all been chasing. But it means that she and her former brother-in-law are set to go to a romantic couples-only resort on an island.

“No. Not yet. Anson told me I could go alone if I want, but I feel guilty. He did so much to help us win.” She sighs as she applies a coat of mascara in the mirror. “Plus, it’s a couples resort. Will they even let me in without someone else?”

“I don’t think so,” Hazel mumbles, trying not to move, as I continue my work.

“Right, so see? I feel like he should go, but he’s been so cagey when I’ve tried to nail him down on a date.” She slips the wand back into the tube and turns her head from side to side, surveying her work.

“You know how he is,” Hazel adds. “If it’s not work or family, he doesn’t leave the house. Do you want me to talk to him?”

I sweep the brush back over the shadow palette, but I look over at Bristol to see her deep in thought for a moment before she shakes her head.

“No. I don’t want him to feel pressured. Plus, I have no idea who will watch Ford while we’re gone. He’d drive Mama crazy if she didn’t have help, and I can’t do that to her. Not for a whole week,” Bristol laments.

Ford is Anson and Bristol’s sister’s son. When her sister died, Anson became a shell of his former self, and Bristol stepped in to support him. She’s helped raise Ford since he was little, but that, combined with taking care of her own business and her mother, has left her with very little time for fun. They both need a vacation.

“Depending on the timing, we could take him for a few days,” Hazel volunteers. “He could come stay on the ranch. Spend some time fishing and hiking. Ramsey and Bo would probably take him camping if he wants.”

“I could take him for a few days too!” Marlowe chimes in. “Does he have any interest in learning to make French pastries?”

“I mean, the way that boy is eating, he needs to learn to cook for himself, period. I’m not ready for a full-fledged teenage boy. He’s going to be so much damn trouble, and I don’t think Anson knows what’s about to hit him,” Bristol says as I finish up the smokey shadow on Hazel’s left eye. We all burst into laughter because while Anson is private and reserved, his son is anything but. That combined with his dad’s looks means Anson can pretty much kiss his peace and quiet goodbye until Ford heads to college.

“All right. Look in the mirror and see if you like that before I add the eyeliner for you. You should do the mascara yourself.” I give Hazel a hand mirror.

“Or I’ve got lashes and glue if you want.” Marlowe waves a pack of them in the air.

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