Page 25 of Belong With Me

Colton had been lucky enough that the doc was in a generous mood the last time they played poker at the bar. Normally, a few twenties or a hundred were thrown around, but that night, Doc had a few too many whiskeys and offered up the keys to an old Mustang he’d named Eleanor. Colton didn’t care that the car wasn’t worth much in the state it was in. With no engine and a ton of body work needing to be done, she wasn’t going to fetch much even if he did sell it.

“I hear he’s been talking with Logan about restoring it.” Wyatt slid into the passenger seat of the truck as I got in the driver’s side and he passed me an apple from the bag our lunch was packed in. I started the car, and we began to head back to the house.

“Logan would cream himself if he could get his hands on it,” I shot back. It was true. Logan’s first love was restoring cars; it was what had inspired him into going into the mechanic trade to begin with.

“He’d do a bloody good job at it too. Think Colton could afford a full restoration on it, though?”

“Not all at once, but you know Logan will do it for a good price anyway. For cost most likely.’’ Knowing my friend for as long as I did, he was practically one of the family.

Grabbing his own apple, he polished it on his jeans, thinking for a beat before he bit into it and chewed for a few moments. “Reckon you’re up to roping this year?”

Through the windscreen, I saw the outline of the main house. “Absolutely. It will be even better if I can win and get a cash injection. God knows we need it.”

“Between you and Van, there’s a chance of a couple of wins. I’ll have a chat with Colton and see if I can talk him out of entering.”

“Good luck with that.” I pulled up beside the steps. “You know how pigheaded he can be.”

Pushing the door open, I stepped out, and the gravel crunched under my boots as I threw the door closed behind me. I climbed the stairs, calling out, “Van!” as I banged my boots against the door frame, making the dirt on them fall loose.

The screen door swung shut behind me. “In the kitchen,” she called back.

Heading that way, I took my hat off and hung it on the hook. “Want to enter the barrel racing contest at the county fair in a couple of months?”

Her head popped back from the open fridge door. “Hell yeah. I’ll get Colton to up my training. Toffee is in great form at the moment.”

“Don’t overdo it,” Wyatt warned her as he entered the kitchen behind me.

Van shook her head at him before she turned to look at me, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder. “How many times do I need to tell you boys that I’m fine. I can compete in these competitions and win.”

“I’m not saying that—” I started.

“I’ve got more chances of winning than you do.”

“Uh. Excuse me,” I fired back.

“You’re excused, Uncle Ry.” At the sound of the voice, I whipped around as a small whirlwind came running toward me. I bent with my arms open as Aria leapt into them.

“Hey there, little cowgirl,” I said, twirling her around, and the giggle that escaped her lips lightened my mood immediately.

“I’m not so little anymore,” she told me. The pout of her lips made her nose crinkle a little.

“You’re getting bigger every day. You’re almost as tall as Aunt Kenzie,” Van told her. I set her down then watched as she gave my twin a huge cuddle.

“You’re a real little lady, aren’t you?” Wyatt looked over at his seven-year-old daughter fondly as Kenzie came into the room.

“She is. We’re going to have a spa day tomorrow too. Aria’s offered to paint my nails for me.” She put Aria’s school bag down on one of the island stools and started unzipping pockets and retrieving her snack box and drink bottle. “Though, that’s only after she does her homework.”

“But, Aunty Kenzie,” Aria huffed. “Uncle Ry and Daddy just got back. Can’t I help them move the cows?” She looked at me hopefully. “Please, Uncle Ry?” The sound of the screen door opening again told me Colton was coming.

Aria spun on the spot without another word and ran toward the entry hall.

“Hey, girl,” Colton said, “what’s this I hear about you moving cows? I thought you were going to help me with the horses today?”

“Oh yeah!” I heard her say before she came running back into the kitchen. “Never mind, Uncle Ry, Uncle Colton says he’s going to teach me how to ride the big horses.”

“Oh, did I now?” Colton entered the kitchen. “What part of you helping me has anything to do with me giving you a riding lesson, Aria Larsen?” Although the question was serious, the tone of voice Colton used was anything but. Nor was the look on his face as he stared down at our niece. She had him wrapped around her little finger. Well, actually, she had all of us wrapped around it. And we didn’t mind one bit.

She looked at him with big eyes before smiling and saying, “It has everything to do with it, Uncle Colt. I’m helping you become a better teacher.” She skipped out of the room again, no doubt headed to the stables.

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