Page 18 of Want You Back

And why I was so eager to show off my new skills to him was a subject best left unexplored.

“When Dad refused to give me an allowance because I dared to go to school in California, not Colorado, I had a series of jobs at hotels, including in the kitchens. Learned a lot. Discovered I loved cooking for friends, entertaining.”

After years of too much quiet with only my father and me at the ranch, I’d been only too happy to form a vibrant friend circle in California, fill my life with joyful noises, trying to banish the roaring silence of the past.

“I didn’t know he cut you off entirely.” Frowning, Colt gave a weary exhale.

I hadn’t wanted him to know the extent of my arguments with my father, who’d been livid that not only had I applied to colleges in LA and San Francisco, but I’d dared to win a scholarship to a prestigious business program a world away from this ranch.

“Not the sort of thing Melvin Lovelorn would brag about.” I shrugged. I was years removed from the pain of going from a privileged life at the ranch to the freedom of counting every last penny in LA. “Think he thought I’d come around, but all it did was make me more determined to stay gone.”

“I see.” Colt’s tone turned wooden, gaze distant and unreadable. Damn it. He was the one who’d told me to go. How was I supposed to know he’d been hurt that I didn’t visit?

“Colt—”

“Watch this, Uncle Maverick,” Hannah interrupted with impeccable timing. I dutifully turned my head in time to catch Hannah executing a deft change of direction with Magnolia, grip on the reins as sure and steady as her voice as she commanded the horse.

“Better keep an eye on that one.” Colt’s measured tone covered layers of unsaid meaning. Better keep my attention where it belonged—on Hannah, not the past.

“I might do the trail ride.” I always had been impulsive where this man was concerned, but I managed to add, “For Hannah.”

“Suit yourself.” Colt’s mood had shifted from earlier when he’d seemed ready to goad me into coming along into something more aloof and bitter, the past looming ever large between us, a canyon we weren’t likely to ever escape. “Be good to have a Lovelorn present. I’m sure Kat can find you a suitable mount. Something slow and easy, you being so out of practice and all.”

“Uncle Maverick! Willow’s going to show us some racing now.” No longer on the horse, Hannah bounded up, effectively robbing me of the chance to make a witty comeback. I wanted to snap at Colt, tell him all the ways in which I was most assuredly not out of practice. I wanted to shake him, demand to know if the memories kept overtaking his brain too.

Instead, I dutifully watched as Willow transformed into a near clone of her mother, racing down barrels with a single-minded determination, delivering the sort of tight turns and controlled speed Betsey had been known for.

I’d been the one to leave, and from all reports, Betsey and Colt hadn’t married until years later, Willow likely arriving seven or eight years after I’d left. Regardless of the facts and logic, my hands clenched like Betsey had won and I’d lost. In reality, though, Colt was the one who had lost and lost big, burying a spouse, someone he’d promised to love forever. And if I knew one thing about Colt, he kept his promises.

My divorce had been rather public and messy and heartbreaking, but nothing like what Colt had endured. I wished there was something more I could do or say, something beyond I’m sorry. We’d both had our share of losses, and words were nothing more than empty air.

Perhaps I couldn’t help Colt, but I could be a good distraction for Willow and Hannah. To that end, after the lesson was done, I threw myself into host-with-the-most mode, laying out pizza toppings and joking with the girls. I put on a playlist with their favorite band to keep the mood light as well as distract from Faith being notably absent.

“How can I help?” Colt asked as the girls danced around in the great room adjacent to the big kitchen.

“I’ve got it.” I was used to shooing guests out of my kitchen, but Colt wasn’t having it.

“I’m sure you do, but put me to work.” He punctuated the offer by marching to the big farmhouse sink and washing his hands.

“You always did like to be useful.” I sighed, but I wasn’t truly put out. More time working with Colt wasn’t a bad thing. I placed the metal mixing bowl of dough onto the center island. “Here. Divide the dough into equal balls for eight personal-sized pizzas.”

“My mom jokes I have no idea how to do time off, but she’s not wrong. I took off the weekend of the trail ride though.” Colt’s tone was a guarded warning of sorts, as if his presence wasn’t my main inducement for agreeing to go. “Good dad points and use a few vacation days both.”

“It’ll be a great chance for the girls to get to know each other better.” I gestured toward the open area in front of the TV, where Hannah was showing Willow a new dance trend.

“Probably shouldn’t encourage the friendship with Hannah leaving as soon as y’all find an exit, but it’s nice to see Willow so happy.” Colt offered a half-smile as he watched the girls. Willow broke into a fit of giggles as she first ran into an ottoman and then bounced off the arm of the couch. “And silly. Hasn’t been enough of that in our house.”

“Friends are great, even temporary ones.” I stepped closer. And maybe Colt needed fun in his life as well. I could offer that. “Or old friends.”

“Don’t get ideas, Maverick.”

“I’m not,” I lied. But Willow wasn’t the only Jennings who was far too serious. Colt used to have the best laugh, and I was determined to hear it again. Maybe I couldn’t stick around, but surely I could be good for a smile or two.

Chapter12

Maverick

Then: Graduation

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