Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 77936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“What about those numbers?” We never had made it to the business portion of the conversation.
“They’ll keep.” Grayson left the side of the arena, leaving me to my swirling thoughts. He’d stayed loyal to the ranch, to the idea that it was something more than my father, and for the first time, I could see the two as separate entities. Also, it mattered that Grayson had wanted to stick up for me and hadn’t tried to sugarcoat my father’s actions. However, the long, jagged scar Melvin Lovelorn had left on my soul would take far more than a single conversation or horseback ride to heal.
Chapter 16
Colt
The day of the trail ride dawned clear and sunny, and in a perfect world, I’d already be at the trailhead parking lot meetup spot.
“Did you sign off on those supply orders?” Dolores asked. In addition to serving as our weekend dispatcher, she provided general office support and did a fine job of keeping me on my toes. “And what about the Mercer case? Did you return that task force call?”
“Done and done.” I tried for a patient tone, but in reality, I’d only stopped by the station to finalize a few details. I’d hoped for a quick stop on the sleepy July Saturday morning, but I should have known better. “I’m only going to be gone forty-eight hours.”
“And you deserve the break, but our line of work doesn’t recognize vacation days.” Dolores had served under four sheriffs, including my father, and she ran a tight ship. Given how thin our force was spread, we needed support staff like her, but I could do without the subtle lecture. I kept my PTO to a bare minimum, but as a single dad, I undoubtedly used more than my predecessor. Warming to her topic, Dolores leaned forward on her desk. “The county keeps growing, and our job keeps getting harder.”
“I know, and I wish we could add a few more deputies, but it is what it is.” I kept my tone pragmatic, not wanting to get into a deep discussion about lobbying the county for more funding.
“Speaking of deputies, you think that brother of yours might join us after he’s done with the military?” Dolores had a soft spot for one of my younger brothers, having had two sons of her own serve.
“Maybe. He doesn’t talk to me much, but I know our mom wants him back in Lovelorn for good.” I’d been so focused on keeping the family together when Carson, Kane, and my sisters were younger that I had taken on more of a parental role than brother or friend, and as a result, I was the one they called in a pinch, but never simply to chat.
Once I finished my conversation with Dolores and was in my truck, my stack of phone messages underscored my utility to the family. I worked my way through various requests before hightailing it to my mom’s house, where Willow was waiting, backpack, sleeping bag, and scowl at the ready.
“Hey, honey, ready to go?” I asked, hoping to smooth over my tardiness.
“Colt!” Mom came out onto her wide porch, holding a box of lightbulbs. “I was hoping you’d have a minute to help me with the porch lightbulb.”
“Sure thing.” The last thing we needed was her on a ladder, which was exactly what would happen if I said no. I’d simply have to be fast.
“Dad,” Willow groaned. “We’re going to be late.”
“This will only take a second.” I fetched the small ladder from the side of the house.
“I don’t know why you had to go to work on a Saturday anyway.” Willow was in a rare complaining mood, not that I blamed her. She’d looked forward to this trail ride trip for weeks now, more so now that Hannah and Maverick would be joining us.
“I needed to make sure the office was set in case something comes up while I’m out of contact.” I took the box of lightbulbs from Mom and readied the ladder under the porch light.
“Hannah texted that she and Maverick were already loading the horses.” Willow’s tone continued to be sharp. Earlier in the week, we’d worked out that Maverick would bring all four horses in a trailer from the ranch, a scheme I was skeptical about, but lacking my own trailer, I hadn’t had many options.
“Hope that went well,” I said mildly as I climbed the ladder to remove the dead bulb.
“Hannah’s gonna be a great rider.” Willow’s defiant voice dared me to disagree. “Maybe she and I will be like Mom and Kat, competing together.”
“Maybe.” My lower back tensed. I loved that Willow finally had the friend she’d longed for and hated that she was likely courting heartache. “Don’t get too set on that idea though. We don’t know how long Hannah is staying.”