Page 17 of Riding the Storm
That hits me unexpectedly. For all his attitude, I hear the truth in his voice—the loss, the sadness.
I glance at Matty. She’s watching him, too, thoughtful.
“Well,” Grandma says after a moment, “you’re in good hands here. Charli’s one of the best riders in the state. She’ll get you where you need to be.”
Bryce looks up at me then, eyes steady. “Guess I’ll find out.”
The words are polite, but there’s an edge to them.
“Guess you will,” I reply evenly, stabbing at my pasta salad.
Grandpa clears his throat, clearly sensing the tension. “So, Bryce, where you from?”
“I live in Texas now, but I’m from Oklahoma originally,” he says. “Grew up outside Tulsa.”
Daddy nods. “Good horse country.”
“Good bull country too,” Bryce adds, flashing a grin.
“Got to stop concentrating on bulls.” I can’t help but say it, my tone a little sharper than intended.
He meets my eyes again, slow and deliberate. “Not gonna be easy there, Chuck.”
I lean back, crossing my arms. “Chuck?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Yep.”
Grandpa chuckles. “I get it. Like Peppermint Patty used to call Charlie Brown.”
I growl under my breath. That makes Bryce’s grin widen.
“Well, you’re gonna have to stop fixating if you wanna ride broncs. Horses aren’t bulls. They don’t forgive heavy hands.”
His lips twitch. “You assuming I’ve got heavy hands, darlin’?”
I glare at him. “I’m assuming you’ve got something to prove. And it’s Charli. Not darlin’. Not Chuck.”
“Maybe I do. Have something to prove, that is.”
The table goes quiet again.
Then Grandma laughs softly. “Well, looks to me like you two are gonna have plenty of fun, working together.”
Matty gives me a look—half warning, half amusement. “Charli’s never met a challenge she couldn’t handle.”
Bryce grins. “Good. I like a challenge myself.”
Cabe grins too, oblivious to the underlying agitation. “This is gonna be awesome. Charli, you’re gonna train Bryce Raintree. That’s insane.”
“Insaneis one word for it,” I mutter.
Grandma rises, clapping her hands softly. “All right, that’s enough talk. Eat up, all of you. There’s work to be done.”
We all eat until the platter and bowl are empty. Bryce jumps up first to help Grandma clear the table, and of course, she beams like he’s her new favorite person.
“Thank you, dear,” she says.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replies smoothly, carrying the platter inside.
