Page 38 of When the Smoke Clears

Keeping myself tucked against his body, it’s an effort not to hide my mouth against his chest when I speak. Instead, I hope the chill breeze will carry my words away. “He was Alan’s son.”

The steady thrumming in my ear picks up.

“He was the one who attacked Stephanie and me before, in the parking lot,” I whisper.

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, fuck.” The temperature seems to drop around us. “How wild is it that he was connected to me in so many ways and we just happened to run into each other at The Spur?”

“Do you think itwascoincidence?” Sutton’s question hangs between us for a minute as I consider.

“I think so. That night, he was different from any other time I saw him. All the other times, it was clear he knew me. I don’t think he could’ve hidden some evil scheme. He was too smug.”

“That is wild, then.”

I don’t go into anything else. The moment is too peaceful to tarnish with the ugliness ofthatnight. I just want to enjoy being wrapped in the arms of the man I love, who loves me, and exist quietly in the world for a while.

Chapter 12

Sutton

JohnnyWalkergrazesinthe corral behind the stables as I approach. When I was younger, we didn’t have any permanent staff. None of them lived on the property, so the only people caring for the horses were our family.

I was a teenager when Mama and Dad expanded from one herd to two. It took everything they had—a risk similar to what I’m about to make with this potential expansion. The biggest difference is that, for the most part, their growth was incremental. This change is on a much larger scale, and we have a lot to lose if it goes badly.

All of this sits at the forefront of my mind, right beside my worries about Maci and all that’s going on with her. I’m torn between doing what I think is right for her and letting her do what she thinks is best because she’s a grown-ass woman. But she’s a grown-ass woman who I fucking love, and I don’t like thinking she’s in danger or being painted into a corner.

Johnny Walker lifts his head and studies me, as if knowing I could use a long ride.

My phone buzzes in my shirt pocket as I step into the tack room. I doubt it’s Maci, because she’s too damn stubborn to actually call if she needs something, but I check anyway.

Sammi.

Now there’s a voice I haven’t heard in a while.

“Hey, sis,” I say, pressing the phone to my ear and leaning against the door frame. “Everything okay?”

Sammi chuckles. “Of course. Can’t I call my big brother?”

I frown. “Ok, well now I know somethin’s up.” The door of the stable office is open and the room is empty. No one uses it. I slide open the window to let in a breeze and plop down in the swivel chair.

“I heard you have a girlfriend, and I want to know when I get to meet her.”

My boots thud on the desk as I kick them up. This is going to be a long conversation. The chair protests beneath my weight. “So, you’ve been talking to Mama.”

“Of course I have. Unlike you, she knows how a phone works.” Her tone is only half playful. “Anyway, when do I get to meet her?”

I clear my throat. “We plan on coming up soon. I was actually going to reach out and see how your calendar looks coming up.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Mama overheard that conversation, too. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.” I hike an eyebrow, even though she can’t see me.

“Well, when are you thinking?”

I sigh. “I’m not sure. I need to talk with Maci more about it. Some things came up.”

Sammi hums a non-committal response. She’s like Mama. When they’re quiet or blank in the face, you know they’re up to something or looking for information. “How are you?”

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