Page 49 of Chasing Forever
I head toward the stalls, and my horse peeks out like she heard me coming before I even said a word. “I’m taking Echo for a little ride.”
He runs a hand through his dirty-blond hair. “It’s getting late.” He hesitates, shifting his weight, sighing like he wants to stop me but knows I won’t listen.
“You don’t have to take me,” I say gently. “I do this all the time.”
“But…”
Nash is trouble, mostly. Can’t settle down, spends weekends chasing an adrenaline rush on the rodeo circuit. But beneath the swagger, he’s a solid guy who cares for my extended family as much as we do him.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Honestly, head home.” I enter Echo’s stall, my hand trailing down her dark, silken coat.
“Lottie,” he says, still clearly torn about letting me ride off alone.
“I’ll use the trail and be back before dark. Promise.” He exhales a big, reluctant breath, his baby blues that make women fall for him narrowing in concern.
“Go,” I say, forcing a small smile.
He shakes his head. “Does Brooks know you’re here?”
I frown. “Why would he?”
He chuckles. “I don’t know? Because he’s your husband, from what I hear.”
“It was a Vegas marriage. Are those even real?”
I push down the swirl of new, unwanted feelings rising up whenever someone says his name. Denial is easier than admitting my drunk self might’ve known something my sober self still won’t say out loud. That I… might actually like Brooks.
“I’m pretty sure they are.” Nash chuckles.
I step out of the stable and grab my saddle.
“You’re really going?”
“I said I was.”
He frowns. “I’d hoped you’d change your mind.”
“Nash.” I walk back in with Echo and start saddling her up. “I’m older than you last time I checked. I grew up on this ranch. I can ride by myself and return safely. You don’t need to babysit me.”
“The sheriff might think different.”
I throw my hands up. “I’m so done with everyone telling me what I can and cannot do. Even if my marriage to Brooks Watson was real, he wouldn’t get to tell me when I can or cannot ride.”
I take the reins and guide Echo out of the stall. “Now out of my way.”
Once I reach the opening of the stable, I climb onto Echo and trot her out onto the trail that winds through our property toward Sadie’s, following the creek. Nash doesn’t say another word, and I’m grateful for the silence.
The sun is hanging low, glowing and stretching its golden rays across the land. How did I ever think I could live anywhere else? If I had moved to the city, where would I go when my head is this scrambled? A crowded park, boxed in by concrete buildings?
“Oh, Echo,” I murmur, running my hand down her neck. “I think I’ve gotten myself in some trouble.”
She doesn’t answer, of course, just walks on like she always does, calm and steady—exactly the reason I came here tonight.
“How could I ever be with Brooks?” I whisper into the breeze. “He’s Holden’s brother. The town… my past… it’s all a tangled mess, but I can’t stop thinking about him. And why does it bother me so much that he never showed his face the whole weekend? The panic I felt this morning when he was late flared way hotter than I’m comfortable with. These are all very bad signs.” I laugh bitterly. “I mean, it was a Vegas drunk marriage.”
Echo snorts as though she understands.
“I know. It’s not real. Brooks wasn’t in his right mind when he agreed to marry me. God knows how we went from a bar to a chapel. He’s not a rash guy. There’s no way it was his idea, but can you imagine if it was mine?”
