Page 42 of Want You Back

“A real fair.” I nodded, catching a bit of Adler’s enthusiasm. I’d been counting down to the fair all week because it likely meant a chance to see Colt. “There’s also a rodeo with it for the next two nights.”

“My friend is gonna barrel race!” Hannah bounced around even more than Adler. “She’s gonna win.”

“The important thing is that Willow has fun,” I reminded Hannah. Whenever he watched Willow train, Colt made it clear that fun was the priority. He didn’t want Willow getting too hard on herself and losing her enjoyment of the sport.

“And wins.” Hannah, however, knew her friend’s competitiveness well. Even in training here at the ranch, Willow rode like a million-dollar purse was on the line. And Hannah was nothing if not loyal. “She wants to win for her mom.”

“Yeah.” I didn’t like thinking of Betsey much. If she were alive, I wouldn’t have this second chance with Colt, but if they had never married, Colt wouldn’t have Willow, who truly was his whole world. “Colt’s proud of Willow too.”

“Colt? As intheColt?” Adler crowed. Crap. He’d clearly been more sober than I’d thought the night I’d poured my heart out about my crappy history with love after my divorce.

I shot him a stern look. “As in, the father of Hannah’s best friend.”

“Uncle Maverick has a crush,” Hannah shared, and I groaned.

“I do not.” Ever since the drive-in date, Hannah kept teasing me about Colt, and eventually, the wrong person was going to hear. “Please don’t say that around Willow. Or Colt.”

“You make this face when he texts.” Hannah took on the most dopey, lovesick face ever, complete with pouty lips and soft eyes. “You have a crush.”

“Let’s finish the tour,” I urged, needing a change of topic in a hurry. I led the way through the main horse barn. Luckily, we ran into Kat, who was able to answer some of Adler’s nine billion questions.

We arrived back at the ranch house with no further teasing from Adler or Hannah about Colt.

I showed Adler to his upstairs guest room and bath so he could freshen up before we left for the fair. Watching him treat the ranch as a sort of amusement park or museum was cute, a perspective I’d never had. For me, the ranch was an obligation, a responsibility, but neverfun.

“I’m going to get changed into my outfit for the rodeo,” Hannah announced as I entered the kitchen, but she stopped partway to the stairs as Faith glided in from the dining room, coffee cup in hand. “Oh hi, Mom! Are you coming to the fair and rodeo?” Hannah rushed over to hug Faith, looking up at her with big eyes. “Please?”

“I’d sooner floss with barbed wire.” Faith grimaced. From behind Hannah, I shot her a warning look. As usual, she was stomping all over Hannah’s enthusiasm. However, my look must have had some effect because she softened her tone as she walked over to her purse on the counter. “But you go have fun. Here’s a card if you want to get yourself something.”

“Thanks.” No stranger to her mother’s credit card, Hannah pocketed it and dashed upstairs.

“You should come,” I said to Faith, pitching my voice upbeat rather than the lecture I ached to deliver. “It would do you good to get out.”

“I’m not ill.” Faith’s pout took on a defiant edge.

“I didn’t say you were.” My good intentions were rapidly evaporating. “I need to talk with you about my meeting with the trust. There’s a cash flow situation.”

She held up a well-manicured finger. “That can be remedied easily with a sale. Developers would love to help us out.”

“We’re not authorized to sell yet,” I reminded her, my stomach churning at the mention of developers. “Speaking of our year agreement, did you look at the school paperwork yet?”

“Can you do it?” Faith flipped her hair over one shoulder. Apparently, she’d resigned herself to Hannah doing school here, but her lack of concern had my back tightening.

I made a frustrated noise. “I’m not her parent.”

“Just show me where to sign.” Faith gave the same eye roll Hannah did when bored. “Oh, and I’ll be gone this weekend.”

“I’m happy to watch Hannah.” I offered her a pointed stare.

“Oops.Should have asked.” Faith had all the regret of a teen who’d failed to ask before borrowing the truck. “Sorry. You’re a good uncle.”

“I’m trying.” I exhaled hard, slumping against the fridge, a world of meaning in that short sentence. “You need help, Faith.”

“I need out of Colorado.” She swept toward the stairs, hand waving me off. “Have fun at the rodeo.”

I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to have fun with ranch problems mounting and Faith falling apart, but I owed it to Adler and Hannah to try. At least there was the prospect of seeing Colt, however brief and public, to brighten my thoughts.

Chapter25

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