Page 37 of Savage Heart

Linc turns his head, peering down at me through the dim light. “Night, Mr. Maverick.”

He’s called me Maverick since his first morning feeding, but he’s trying to be respectful in front of the other campers. We might have a lot of feelings about Iris, but she’s raised a polite, kind boy.

A rare rush of pride sweeps through me that Iris has pulled this off, and entirely on her own, against all odds.

It’s gone in the next second.

“Night, Linc. Night, boys.”

“Night, Mr. Maverick,” a couple of the other boys say.

The talking fades, and the breathing changes. One kid snores almost immediately. Another kicks the wall, perhaps slaying dragons in his dreams.

I finally give in to the exhaustion and sleep.

Chapter 9: Slow Dancin’

Iris

My cell rings right as I’m wiping down the counter at work. It’s the number Linc called from the night before last. The campers can use the phone in the gym or the round barn at the ranch.

I snatch it up. “Hello?”

“Hi, Mom!”

“Hey, bud,” I say, smiling into the receiver like he can see it. “How’s it going over there?”

“Amazing,” he says immediately. “It’s been really fun. Since I’ve ridden before, I got to go on a long trail ride with Mr. Cameron today. There were only eight of us in the group. I like Mr. Cameron a lot. Mr. Grady’s cool too.” The sound muffles, and he whispers, “Maverick’s still my favorite, but all of the Harringtons are so nice.”

This shouldn’t hurt my heart, but it does. Everything about it. I remember how much I loved going to the ranch, how I lived for those visits, how I couldn’t wait to ride Lady, and how I adored every single member of the Harrington family . . . but especially Maverick.

“I’m sure you’re charming their socks off,” I say. “And the horses’ hooves.”

He laughs, that pure sound I’ve lived for since the first day I heard it.

“Are you having fun with the boys in your cabin too?” I ask.

“Oh! Yeah.” I hear him shift the receiver again. “But Maverick has been our chaperone up until last night. Braxton was supposed to be, but he was sick, and now he’s back.” The muffle sound happens again, and he whispers, “He’s not as fun as Maverick—Mr. Maverick.” He laughs. “Trying to remember to call him that at camp. He didn’t tell me I had to or anything, but . . . anyway. Mr. Maverick let us talk quietly for a little bit after lights out. With Braxton, that is a no go. He said if we weren’t quiet, we’d lose riding time.”

“Yikes,” I say softly. “I hope you were quiet after that.”

“Oh yeah, that shut us up quick.”

“I’m so glad you’re having fun.”

“I’m having the best time.”

“Good. I miss you, but it’s worth it to know you’re living it up over there.” I try to sound extra happy over the lump in my throat.

Linc being over there brings all the feelings I try to shove down right to the surface.

Someone in the background yells about a horse getting loose on the wrong side of the paddock. Linc laughs.

“I gotta go! They’re starting the next activity, and we have a runaway horse!”

“Okay, baby. Never a dull moment over there, right? I’m so glad you called.”

“Love you, Mom!”