Page 30 of Savage Heart

Last year and the year before, Vera and Kell flanked me on either side when I dropped Linc off, but today Vera has a doctor’s appointment, so Kell has to do serving duties while Russell cooks.

“I see Alex. I’m gonna say hi,” Linc says, grabbing his bag.

I stay in the car for a second longer than necessary, breathing through the familiar pain that slices through my chest every time I step onto this land.

I finally open the door and step out.

And freeze.

The yard in front of the barn is crowded. Trucks lined up. Horses already being led out. Kids gathering with their parents. And scattered among them—like a wall I didn’t know I was about to run into—is the entire Harrington family.

Grady stands near the tack room, arms crossed, his vet jacket already on despite the heat. Cameron leans against the fence beside him, cowboy hat low, expression unreadable. Charlie is closer to the barn doors, clipboard in hand, already in full camp-director mode, her mouth set in a thin line when her eyes flick toward me. Billie is beside her . . . giving me a stare that burns.

Hatcher and Evelyn sit together on a bench near the office, Evelyn’s posture elegant and composed. We exchange a look, and I see her glance around the yard, probably searching for Jennifer. Hatcher’s jaw tightens, and he gives me a curt nod before looking away.

Maverick stands closer to the horses, a rope in his hand. He’s talking to a little boy and his dad, crouched down in a gentle way that reminds me of the boy I knew.

I look away before he can glance up.

I straighten my shoulders and stand there, waiting to see if there’s any instruction for the parents before we leave our kids here for the next two weeks.

Charlie walks by.

“Morning,” I say.

“Morning.” Her voice is flat, eyes on her clipboard.

I turn toward my car when the office door opens behind me.

“Iris?”

My body goes cold.

Jennifer steps out onto the porch, squinting against the sun. She looks older, more fragile than the last time I saw her years ago. I think Linc was right—she stays tucked away on this ranch most of the time. Her hair is pulled back and has streaks of gray.

A dark look crosses her face.

She sets her coffee mug down on the railing with deliberate care and walks toward me.

“What are you doing here?” she sneers.

“I’m just dropping Linc off,” I reply. “He’s excited about camp.”

Her mouth tightens. “Come with me,” she says quietly.

It isn’t a request.

My pulse starts to race.

Evelyn stands up. “Jennifer—”

“Now,” Jennifer says.

I follow her around the side of the office, out of sight. I really didn’t think I would see her today. My stomach churns with every step, memories pouring out—of late nights, whispered conversations at the kitchen table, and the way she once brushed my hair back like I was her own.

She stops near the equipment shed and turns so fast I almost collide with her.

“You don’t get to be here,” she says.