Page 1 of May's Bad Boy: Kody

CHAPTER 1

KODY

The gravel under my tires crunches like bones. I hate that thought, but I can't shake it. Something about coming to Mustang Mountain makes old ghosts stir. They never really went quiet to begin with.

The bed of my old truck rattles as I turn down the drive that leads to Shane's ranch. Dust swirls up in the rearview, catching the orange late-afternoon light like smoke. I glance at Sadie in the backseat—she's pressed her nose against the window, wide-eyed, her little bear hugged tight to her chest.

"It's quiet here," she whispers.

"Yeah," I murmur, eyes fixed ahead. "Let's hope it stays that way."

The ranch stretches out in front of us, beautiful and peaceful in that way small towns always look from a distance—like they've never seen pain, never heard the sound of a gavel coming down, never watched a man lose everything.

Sadie gasps. "Daddy, look! Horsies!"

I smile, a small one, but real. "They're called horses, baby. But yeah. Pretty cool, huh?"

She nods solemnly, absorbing it all like a sponge. Her world has been shaken too many times already. I want this to be her calm.

We roll to a stop near the main house just as Shane comes out of the barn, wiping his hands on a rag. He's still got that same easy swagger, that cool-headed steadiness that made him the only one I trusted to call when everything went to hell again.

He lifts a hand to me as I step out of the truck. "You got heavier since the last time I saw you, man."

I snort. "Pretty sure you're just getting older."

Sadie peeks around me, then bolts toward him. "Hi! Are you the cowboy?"

Shane laughs, crouching down. "Well now, I suppose I am. You must be Miss Sadie."

She nods, proud, like it's a title.

He winks at her. "You like horses?"

"I love them."

"We'll have to introduce you to Miss Maple later. She's our gentlest girl and also new to the ranch."

"Maple like syrup?" she asks, eyes lighting up.

Shane grins. "Exactly like that."

Behind him, Caitlin appears with a juice box and a warm smile that could melt any defense I try to keep up. "I come bearing peace offerings," she says, offering the box to Sadie. "And maybe a few animal crackers."

Sadie squeals. "Thank you!"

I blink hard. She's only four. She shouldn't have had to learn how to accept kindness like it's a surprise.

"Come on," Shane says, slapping my shoulder. "Let's get you settled. We have a two-bedroom cabin that Levi just finished up yesterday. We figured it'd feel better having your own space for now."

I nod. "Appreciate it."

"Don't thank me yet. There are still a lot of fences that need mending out here."

I arch a brow. "That a job offer?"

He shrugs. "Call it a soft launch."

We follow him out to the cabin.

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