Page 100 of Savage Heart

“Hey, girl,” I whisper, my voice thick as tears prick my eyes. “I’m sorry it’s been so long. Do you remember me? I never forgot you.”

I blink them back, but one escapes, trailing down my cheek. Lady lowers her forehead to mine, the way we used to always say hello, and the dam breaks. Tears flow freely, a mix of joy and grief and everything in between. Maverick’s hand lands gently on my shoulder, squeezing in silent understanding, and Linc watches with wide eyes.

“She’s happy to see you too,” Linc says in wonder. “She totally remembers you!”

“Yes, she does,” Maverick says quietly. “She’s so happy right now.”

After a moment, I wipe my face, laughing shakily. “Okay, enough of that. Do you think she’s up for a ride?”

“Absolutely,” Maverick says.

We saddle up—Maverick on Thunder, Linc on Copper, and me on Lady, her gait familiar and steady beneath me. The trail winds through the fields, the sun warm on our backs, wildflowers dotting the path as we trot along. Maverick leads, and I hang back a bit at first, letting the rhythm of Lady’s steps soothe the last of my nerves, but soon we’re side by side, our legs brushing occasionally in the slower, closer parts of the trail.

I love the wind in my hair and the way Lady and I move in sync, like no time has passed. The trail opens up to the riverbank, where the water sparkles under the late-afternoon sun. Maverick reins in Thunder first, glancing back at us with a boyish grin that makes my insides twist.

“This spot good for a break?” he asks, dismounting.

“Perfect,” I say.

I slide off Lady and give her neck a pat. Linc hops down from Copper, his cheeks flushed from the ride. Pickle, who’s been trotting alongside us the whole time, wags his tail furiously and falls into place next to Linc. They go to the water, and Linc picks up a smooth stone, skipping it across the water.

“Hey, when did you learn to do that?” I ask.

“During camp. Maverick showed me,” he says proudly.

Maverick grabs sandwiches, fruit, and a large thermos of lemonade out of his pack. We tie the horses to a nearby tree, letting them graze on the lush grass, and spread a blanket by the water.

Pickle runs over, sniffing at the food as Maverick unpacks.

“Easy, boy,” Maverick grumbles. “Don’t know why you think you’d get anything,” he says as he tosses him a piece of meat that Pickle catches midair.

I snort.

“What?” Maverick says in fake innocence.

Linc grabs a sandwich and bolts toward the river, Pickle hot on his heels.

“Come on, Pickle! Fetch!” He hurls a stick into the shallow water, and the dog splashes in without hesitation, emerging with it clamped in his jaws, shaking droplets everywhere. Linc’s laughter echoes across the river, and he tosses it again.

I settle on the blanket next to Maverick, our shoulders brushing as we watch them. The sun shimmers over the river. So pretty it doesn’t look real.

Maverick hands me a sandwich, his fingers lingering on mine.

“He’s got energy for days, doesn’t he?” He nods toward Linc. “Reminds me of—” He pauses.

“He reminds me of him too,” I say. “He’s always running everywhere, like Lincoln.”

“And always smiling, like both of you.” His eyes meet mine. “I’ve missed your smile.”

I glance out at the water, overcome with emotion.

“I’m really glad I’ve gotten to know him better,” Maverick says. “I hate that it’s taken me so long. I’ve missed so much.”

“He loves it here, and he doesn’t hold how long it’s been against you for a second. Kids are resilient and so forgiving.”

He nods, his eyes sadder than before. “I’ll make it up to him, I swear it.”

I open my mouth to respond, but he keeps going.