Page 44 of Cautious Love

“That’s fair, but you could have called me to help.”

I huff. “I remember how well y’all got along in school. I know we’re all grown, but I was not about to bring her to your door and expect you to accept it.”

She shrugs. “We’re not kids anymore, and I heard what that asshole did to her. I would have helped you, and I still can if you need me to. Okay?”

I pat my sister on the shoulder. “You’re a good egg, June.”

She smiles and shimmies her shoulders. Then she drops into a serious face. “Let’s get back to work.”

I chuckle and follow her to the barn to finish our last round of vaccinations.

At least I had fair warning from June. Maybe I should tell my parents now. But what’s there to say? I’m helping a friend out by marrying her to cover both our asses, and I may or may not be catching feelings for my wife? I don’t know how I feel, rather I don’twantto feel any of it, but I do and the last thing I need is for my meddling family to give me their two cents.

Chapter 12

Ledger

Junevaccinatesthelastcalf, and Sterling releases him, while the hands push the last small group back into the pasture.

We get the barn cleaned up and the horses back in their stalls for the night. Everything is sore, but it’s an accomplished sore. It’s that feeling of doing a hard day’s work.

Fletcher pats me on the back as I leave the stables for the day. “Thanks for coming. This would have taken us a few days to do if you and Sterling weren’t here to help.”

“No problem,” I mutter.

“Hey, Ledger?” Fletcher calls for me, and his tone makes me turn.

“Thank you for taking care of my girl.”

I frown. “What are you talking about?”

“She told me she called you to the emergency clinic and explained how you helped her because she was so upset. And I appreciate it. She worries me working so hard and being pregnant.”I shrug. “I didn’t do anything, Fletch. But I will if you need me to. And Tate is strong, but I’m sure she knows her limits.”

He nods. “Thanks, brother.”

“Yup, I’ll see ya’ later. Tell Mama I said bye.”

“Will do,” he says.

I’m happy for my brother and my sister-in-law. I’m looking forward to being an uncle again, but I wonder if I’ll ever be in Fletcher's or Cooper’s shoes. I suppose I already am. But it’s not the same.

Hanging my hat on the hook and placing my boots in their place, I head straight for the shower because I smell like cattle and cow pies.

I don’t hear Shiloh. She must have a shift.

“Hey,” Shiloh says, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

She’s sitting on the couch with a book in her lap.

She laughs. “Did I scare you?”

I frown, and it only makes her laugh more. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Maybe,” I grumble. “I didn’t expect you to be home, figured you had a shift at the bar.”

“Nope, it’s not until later and I’m on standby, but I doubt they’ll call me.”

“Oh, okay,” I mumble.