Page 83 of Silent Heart

“So…you really have a horse of your own?” she finally asked, and it was the same Cami come back.

I took the olive branch she offered. “I do. Want to meet her?”

“Absolutely!”

Chapter 33 – Harley

“Who’s truck and trailer is that?” Grandma pointed through the front windshield.

“Probably one of Marta’s boys,” Grandpa groused, rolling the Camry to a stop. “They wanted to take some of the horses to their southern field, lower the grass before rifle opener.”

I chewed on my cheek. This close to the fall deer hunting season, it wasn’t smart to keep horses or cattle in the open fields. But it wasn’t like I could tell my aunt no if she wanted to take her father-in-law’s horses.

She’s not taking any of mine.

Preparing myself for a fight, I stabbed the release and the seatbelt went flying.

“No, Glen was in church. He would have said if Marta was coming over with the rest of the family,” Grandma countered.

Irritation radiated off my grandfather. “I don’t know that man. He looks like a hoodlum.”

Heart jumping, I cut my gaze to the truck, where a lean figure sauntered around the front of the big diesel truck. Hemight not be built as broad as his brother, but he sure as hell cut an imposing image. That smirk carved across his face was deceptive.

“That’s alright, I know him,” I said, cracking open my door and jumping out before my grandfather put the vehicle in park.

“Harley!” Lucas—no!Lukacalled. “I want you to meet my wife, Victoria.”

A woman about my age hurried forward. Wild curls framed her face. I could just hear my grandma groaning about her attire. The combat boots were kickass, but the fishnet tights, black shorts, graphic tee, and flannel cut a very rockstar-punk look.

I instantly liked her. “Hi, Victoria, welcome!”

She pulled me into an immediate hug. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Our Cami Joe admires the hell out of you.”

Surprised pleasure trickled through me. “She’s a wonderful person.”

My grandparents chose that moment to wander over, and a round of introductions ensued. I hoped that the neighbors wouldn’t notice the sideways glances or the tightness in my grandparents’ comments. They didn’t even give the neighbors a chance to make an impression.

“That’s some trailer you’ve got there, boy,” Grandpa observed.

I pleaded with anything listening to my mental anguish that he could stop being so grumpy. It was wishful thinking at this point.

“Thank you, sir! I was wondering if I could impose on your granddaughter for a job this afternoon.” Something in Luka’s blue eyes twinkled.

Victoria gave me a side squeeze, as if she could sense my nerves. “It was my idea actually.”

“We have family coming over for a barbeque, I’m afraid Harley will have to decline,” my grandfather stated.

Already, I could hear one of my cousin’s rice-rockets popping and backfiring on the road. Just because they put on a loud, obnoxious exhaust did not make the cheap car fast.

“What did you need, Lucas?” I stressed the name, which only made him smirk harder.

“I’ve got a couple of nieces who would justlovea pony,” Luka explained. The way he spoke would have made him a prime candidate for drama school. “Their mom and dad won’t consider the addition to our family, so I thought I would do the next best thing and rent one for the day.”

“Oh, that could be nice for Harley,” Grandma started to say, but my grandfather interrupted her.

“Like I said, Harley is busy with family obligations today. Now why don’t you take that fancy rig and—”

I cut off my grandfather. “I’d be happy to saddle upmypony and bring her over.”

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