Page 58 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“Not really. I felt a connection to the horse that had nothing to do with breaking him. I felt like we understood each other.”

His dad settled a firm hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “And then he dumped you on your ass?”

Tyler nodded. “During a barrel race. We were killing the course and on the way to setting a record until a rodeo clown jumped out of a barrel and spooked him.” Tyler’s heart stuttered as he recalled sailing through the air. He rubbed his chest to remind himself it was just a memory. “The accident was someone’s idea of a prank, but nothing about it was funny. I ended up with a busted knee, and the circuit got rid of Brutus before I could intercede on his behalf or say goodbye. I think about him all the time and wish I could rescue him.”

“You think he’s still alive?”

Tyler nodded. “He was only a few years old when he threw me, and he’s too ornery to die.” That’s what Tyler told himself when his mind conjured a worse fate for the beautiful horse. Many handlers would’ve taken extreme measures to break his spirit. “I’d love to show him a better life, if he hasn’t found one yet.”

His dad pulled him into a tight hug. “I’m proud of you, Tyler.” Then, he pulled back and cupped his face. “And I love you. There’s nothing you could ever say or do to change that. Mom and I will always be a safe place for you to land as long as there’s breath in our bodies. Never hesitate to call us again. Do you hear me?”

Tyler nodded. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate that, and I love you too.”

His dad held his gaze for several moments, searching for any signs that Tyler was only placating him. He nodded once satisfied and said, “I’ll let you visit the horses while I head to the house to chat with Owen. I want to get to know my future son-in-law.”

Tyler had already promised forever to Owen, so there was no need to temper his dad’s expectations. “Good luck stealing him away from Mom.”

They parted ways outside the greenhouse, and Tyler noticed a lightness in his steps after laying his emotions bare. The sense of peace expanded when he stepped into the horse barn. Most of the gorgeous creatures were longtime residents and greeted him with familiar enthusiasm. The newer horses took a few minutes to warm up to him, but they came around too. He stroked velvety noses and even hugged some of their necks as he walked the length of stalls.

The door to the tack room opened, and he wasn’t at all surprised to see his mom step through it. She’d put on a thick hoodie and tall riding boots and pulled her hair back into a ponytail since he’d last seen her at breakfast.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said when she noticed him. It looked like his dad wouldn’t have to fight for Owen’s attention after all. Then again, with a family as large as theirs, it was highly likely someone else had swooped in. Owen had proved that he was adept at navigating the chaos without Tyler’s interference.

She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and kissed Tyler’s cheek. “Your dad isn’t the only one who needs to retreat to their favorite place for a break from the chaos.”

“Do you want me to leave so you can have some peace?” A small part of him hoped she’d say yes so they could just leave things the way they were last night, but Tyler knew there was more he needed to say to her.

“No way,” she said. “I’m grateful for the time alone with you.” She hooked her arm through his, and they walked among the horses. “I think Owen is wonderful, Tyler. I love the way he loves you.”

“I’m crazy about him too, Mama.”

“Knowing how happy you are on the ranch makes it easier to accept you’re not coming back to Texas.” Of course, she already knew. As with Grandpa’s blunt boyfriend question, Tyler was grateful she’d made this easy for him.

“I want you and Dad to come see us in Colorado, and I promise to visit you guys more often,” Tyler said. “We’ve resolved the issues that have held me back, and the rest are mine to work on.”

She stopped and looked at him. “What things?”

“For starters, I need to stop projecting my fears onto others and assuming the worst. I left home because I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions, and here I am making ones for everyone else.” Tyler blew out a frustrated breath. “I wasn’t fair to you or Dad, not when I was younger and not now. Looking back, I understand you were just trying to protect me.”

“We should’ve given you guys a little more room to make your own mistakes,” she said. “Maybe we would’ve avoided a lot of this if we had. Then again, maybe Owen is right, and things turned out the way they were intended.”

Tyler quirked a brow. “Owen said that?”

Laughing, she pinched his chin. “Maybe not in so many words, but the sentiment was there.”

“Thank you for helping him, Mama.”

“It was my pleasure, Tyler.”

“Owen was so excited about his reading opportunities last night that I didn’t think he’d ever get to sleep.”

“About that,” she said with a slight grimace.

Tyler held his breath while he waited for her to continue. Had they been too loud? He’d been honest about Owen’s excitement and struggle to fall asleep, but Tyler hadn’t told her the creative ways he’d eased Owen’s tension or the ridiculous sex puns they’d come up with in the space-themed room. They’d used flying to the moon for their first round of orgasms, and riding the rocket became the anthem for round two. That had been the one that finally eased Owen enough to sleep.

“I think I owe you another apology about the sleeping arrangements. I thought about just putting you in the guest bedroom with the single queen bed but worried it was too presumptuous. What if you weren’t a couple and I put you in a room with one bed? I didn’t want to offend anyone. Do you want to move to the other bedroom?”

“Yes, please.” They’d made the best of their arrangements, but he’d be a fool to refuse a bigger bed for the remaining two nights in Texas.