Page 142 of Reins

With a whistle, my cattle dog runs to me, his tongue lolling as he collapses into the shade.

“I just don’t want to fuck Cade over.” Sawyer’s lower lip juts while he falls into step next to me. “It’s taken a lot to rebuild that relationship and I don’t want to lose it.”

My jaw clenches on our way to the barn. Those years when we all doubted Cade were some of the darkest in my life.

Not only did I lose Sarah, I lost a member of my family. I didn’t appreciate how much grief I carried over it until the truth came out.

Cade was the younger brother to our rat pack. Without him, it was like walking without a shadow.

I’m thankful he’s back and has been making a point of visiting every summer since. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since that day we buried the plague that haunted us.

“If I know him, this is his way of rebuilding too. When he walked away from Black Gulch, he did it to try and protect you. It’s your turn to show him what that meant.” I grab a beer and toss it to him, then pull one out for myself. “Like your dad, I’m here for you, kid.”

“Thanks, Ford.” Sawyer lets out a sigh. “Gotta admit, the new brand looks pretty cool.”

“It does. Soph did a nice job with it.” Fuck, the ice cold malt tastes a little like heaven in this heat. At least it isn’t as humid here as it is in Italy.

I like visiting the Mediterranean with April, that’s about it.

Black Gulch is my home and that never will change.

Ep Char

“Paisley! Come and put on your boots!” I yell in the generic direction of her bedroom while stuffing Violet’s foot into her sneaker.

“Coming!” She appears quickly, bouncing with a smile between her pigtails. “Are we going to the garden?”

“No, sweetie. Remember, we’re going to the new ranch?” I gesture towards Violet for her other leg but the four year old raises her nose in protest.

“Vi, we have to go and I still need to help your brother.” I swing my thumb over my shoulder where Wesley drools over his stuffed truck. My poor little guy is teething again.

Paisley slips her mini-Ariats on with no socks.

I guess I’m picking my battles today.

“I’ll help Wes.” She scoops up her baby brother amid his shrieking giggle and carries him towards the changing table even though he’s nearly as big as she is already.

“I’m ready, Mommy.” Rosie stands prim and proper near the door, her doll clutched in her arm.

It never ceases to surprise me how completely opposite the twins are in personality. Where Rosie is the first to listen, Violet fights me tooth and nail on the tiniest things.

I blame Libby.

That makes me laugh as I finally get Vi ready and pull her up. “Okay, here’s the deal. If everyone behaves, we stop at Aunty Libby’s on the way home for ice cream.”

Now that Devon’s new production line is up and going, there’s always someone there for free samples.

“Yea, Vi.” Paisley makes a pointed look at her younger sister.

“What?” Violet blinks innocently, like she isn’t on her third bath of the day.

Wesley runs across the room, his diaper half attached and one little butt cheek hanging out. “Mommy, ice cream!” he screams.

I smooth out his wild dark hair as he hugs my legs and fix the tiny strap of Velcro that keeps us all from disaster. “That counts for you too, mister mister.” I glance up at the clock with a flare of relief.

Dixon should be home any second.

“Let’s find your shorts, son. Daddy will be here soon.” I glance up to Paisley. “Do you want to go outside and wait? I bet Ben and Jack will be out there already.”