Page 69 of Better Together

Remi nodded. “Yep. Just good.”

And things were good. Probably closer to great, but saying it would invite questions that she couldn’t answer. Living with Colt was easy. Probably easier than living with Jess.

But it was also thrilling and exciting. She looked forward to the evenings when they spent time with the kids and tucked them into bed, but the best part of the days was the time she got to spend with Colt alone at night. They watched sports, did chores together, and talked about the kids. It sounded so mundane, but time spent with Colt was never boring. Every look, every selfless act, every small touch bumped her excitement into overdrive like a jolt to the heart.

Things were changing, and she liked it, but there was no way on God’s green earth she was admitting that to these women. Her friends were the best, but nothing stayed secret between them. If one knew it, they all knew it, which wasn’t so bad, until the married ones told their husbands, and the husbands told Colt.

“I like Uncle Colt,” Abby said. “He sings for me every night, and he flips me in the air whenever I want.”

Jess choked on the mouthful of water she’d just chugged. “He flips you?”

Remi covered her face with a hand. The flips had been giving her minor heart attacks for weeks, but Colt assured her it was safe.

“Yeah,” Abby scooted off the couch, handing her cup to Remi. “I put my hands between my legs like this, and Colt does that too. Then, he pulls my hands, and I flip, flip, flip through his legs!”

Remi held up a finger. “There’s only one flip. Let’s be clear about that.”

“Sounds fun. I want to flip,” Jess said.

“Uncle Colt could flip you. He does it to Ben too.”

Jess propped an elbow on her knee and rested her chin in her hand. “That’s interesting. I’d like to see him try to flip me.”

The rumble of a diesel engine sounded over the chuckles, and quick footfalls bounded on the porch. When the door opened, half of the women in the room stood.

Paul burst into the living area and scanned the room. His attention landed on Vera. “I need some towels and your first aid kit.”

Vera was on her feet in an instant, rushing to a room in the back of the cabin.

Remi stood. “Who is it?” The shake in her voice couldn’t be hidden. Injuries were bound to happen on the ranch, but the knowing did nothing to temper the fear.

“Lincoln.”

Remi released a heavy breath. She cared that Linc was injured, but knowing it wasn’t Colt or Ben almost brought relieved tears to her eyes.

One look at Jess erased all of the relief. Jess’s hard heart had a soft spot for Linc, and all the blood had drained out of her friend’s face as she stood and followed Vera.

Stella opened a closet in the corner and reached inside. “Take these blankets.”

Vera and Jess hurried back into the room carrying towels and a big kit.

With a determined expression and a tense jaw, Jess walked right past Paul toward the door. “Let’s go.”

The older cowboy followed, closing the door behind him.

In their absence, the silence lingered. Remi clutched the quilt square in her hand and focused on breathing in and out.

Abby pressed herself against Remi’s side and whimpered. Remi scooped the little girl into her arms.

“Sweetie, it’s okay. He’ll be all right.” Was it okay to say things you hoped were true without knowing for sure? It was what she was telling herself, so maybe that honesty counted for something.

“It scared me. I thought it was Ben or Uncle Colt,” Abby said through sobs.

Remi hugged her tight. “I thought so too, but they’re fine. I don’t think they were supposed to be in the same place as Linc tonight.”

Abby continued to cry, and Remi looked over the girl’s shoulder to her friends. Vera rubbed a hand over Abby’s back, and Ava whispered soothing words.

“Let’s call Uncle Colt. Maybe hearing his voice will make you feel better.”

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