Page 68 of Willow Vale

River pursed his lips for a long second before shrugging. “No. I know you guys like each other. Even if it’s gross. And you’re nice to her, so it’s okay.”

I was stunned. I knew he was a smart kid who was too perceptive for his own good, I just didn’t expect River to be so aware of the two of us. I didn’t think we were all that obvious but apparently everyone in Willow Vale knew about us now, including my little brother.

Travis let out a surprised chuckle, poking River’s side playfully. “And how exactly do you know we like each other, little man?”

“Desmond told me so. He said you two were like a couple of stubborn mules who don’t want to see what’s good for them. He also said you needed a swift kick in the ass to get you moving.”

“River!” I chastised him. He gave me a comical look as if he forgot I was holding him and did in fact hear him say a bad word. “We don’t use that kind of language.”

Travis rubbed a hand across his mouth, and I knew he was trying to hide a grin.

“But Desmond said it?—”

“Desmond is going to be in timeout next time I see him, don’t you worry about that.”

That time, Travis lost the war in trying to hide his amusement when he started laughing. He reached over and took River from my arms when my brother leaned toward him. Clearly, he only wanted him to be given some reprieve from my lecture.

“If you promise not to say anymore bad words, we’ll make you some chocolate chip pancakes. Sound good?” Travis asked as he propped River on his hip to hold out a hand and they high-fived in agreement.

“I promise!”

He gave me a wink over his shoulder as he and River started grabbing ingredients from the fridge together.

Melting my heart just a little more.

CHAPTER 26

Travis

“You still remember how to ride?”I asked Delilah as I led Sable out of his stall. We decided it was finally time to make River’s wish to learn how to ride come true. So today marks his first official lesson.

Delilah ran her hand up Sable’s nose with a smile. “You and Desmond taught me. It’s hard to forget an Adler lesson when two overprotective men are constantly telling you what to do.” I rolled my eyes but chuckled, remembering the time she’d given me and Dad a heart attack when her horse suddenly took off into a run on her second day of riding. She was lucky she stayed on him for as long as she did until Dad caught up to her to grab the reins. “Hey, Sable. Miss me?”

Sable chuffed as if to confirm that he had, in fact, missed her.

He wasn’t the only one.

Silver Hill was known for taking in rescues, and ten years ago Sable showed up. He was found roaming the side of the highway as a colt, all bones and skittish, and in desperate need of a home. The day we brought him to the ranch, I took one look at him and just knew he was meant to come homewith us. Our bond grew stronger over time, but it wasn’t an easy road.

Wren’s mare, Nila, was a few stalls away and happily accepted a treat from River’s hand when I took him to her stall to introduce them. After that, River went to Delilah with a big smile as he gently petted Sable. He nuzzled his nose into the kid’s palm, loving the attention.

I showed them how to properly tack Sable. Once he was set, I tacked another mare, this time with Delilah so that she could get the hang of it. I knew Sable was old enough to be easy to ride for her, so I helped her mount him, keeping my hand on her hip a little longer than necessary once she was seated. She gave me a knowing look, but I just shrugged.

“You’ll ride with me, buddy,” I said as I sat River on the saddle and mounted the mare. If I expected River to get spooked once we started riding out onto the field and away from the stables, I was wrong. The kid loved every minute we spent walking along the property, out to the open fields. I could see Delilah petting Sable’s neck every now and then, murmuring things to him that I couldn’t catch. But the brilliant smile on her lips screamed how much she was enjoying herself. When I looked down to River, he had the same giddy expression on his face. “Make sure you keep a hand on that horn, River.”

“What’s his name?” River asked, referring to the mare.

“Her name is Lucy.”

“Lucy. I like it. Good job, Lucy,” he said a little louder to make sure she heard him.

I chuckled. “You’re a natural at this, you know that?”

“I know!” River beamed. Leave it to a kid to always be confident and honest.

My gaze gravitated toward Delilah where she was already watching us with a soft look on her face.

“I hope you’re not teaching River to be a slowpoke like someone else I know,” Wren said as she and Nila galloped over. Finn wasn’t far behind on his Pinto, Ruby.

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