Page 45 of Want You Back

“I think it’s awesome that the town has our last name.” Hannah grinned. She was a Lovelorn by virtue of being born amid Faith’s second divorce, and her pride gave me a new perspective. Maybe it was kind of neat. And these people, the ones I’d grown up with, the ones I’d left behind, the ones who had welcomed me back, they weren’t my father. How long would I punish the area for his shortcomings as a parent?

“You’re the best Lovelorn ever.” I beamed right back at Hannah with so much love that my chest hurt from trying to hold it all. A few short months, and now I couldn’t imagine life without Hannah in it.

“Can Willow and I ride the Ferris wheel?” she asked as we finished the food.

I glanced at Colt to make sure he was in agreement. He nodded, so I said, “Sure.”

“Here. I’ll take the trash.” Adler scooped up the empty fry basket and various wrappers. “I can stay here, babysit the stuffed unicorns. You and Colt should go ride too.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” Colt frowned. For whatever reason, he hadn’t taken to Adler, which was funny because everyone loved Adler. “Let the girls have their fun.”

“Come on, Uncle Maverick!” Hannah bounced on the balls of her feet.

“You too, Dad.” Willow was only slightly less wired as she gestured for us to follow them toward the big Ferris wheel at the far end of the midway.

“Do you want me to ride in the seat with you or with Maverick?” Colt asked Willow, voice surprisingly serious, and Willow considered his question with answering solemnity, taking a long pause before replying.

“You should ride with Maverick.” She nodded as we reached the ride. Her dark eyes were cloudy as she gave Colt a tight hug.

“What was that?” I asked him as we waited for our turn to board the Ferris wheel.

“I dunno.” Colt sounded a little dazed. “Guess maybe she’s okay with you.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“I hope so.” He continued to be far too solemn even as we settled in the tiny seat, side by side, hips touching.

“Look how far we can see.” I pointed, trying to earn the smile I’d wanted all afternoon.

“Seemed farther when we were younger.” Colt stared down at the fairgrounds rather than off into the horizon like me. When we were younger, the future had seemed as wide open as this vista, the solution to all my problems, a shiny beacon of hope. And now, I was an adult who knew better, but even rooted in the present, the view was stunning, the contrast of vast landscape and small county fair.

“Everything seemed farther away when we were kids.” I bumped his leg with mine. “Think anyone can see if I hold the sheriff’s hand?”

“Nah.” There was that grin, a little subdued, but the same Colt magic as always. He grabbed my hand, keeping both hidden below the bar holding us in place. “We can risk it.”

If he was willing to risk holding my hand in public while in his sheriff’s uniform, what was I willing to risk? All my thinky thoughts from earlier returned. From up here, I could see Lovelorn, the town, not the ranch, its people small like action figures below us. The question wasn’t simply what I owed this place but rather what I owed this man.

“Colt—”

“Ride’s almost done.” Colt abruptly dropped my hand as the ride slowed and dipped back toward the earth, taking my new perspective with it.

“Time for me to get ready!” Willow was only too eager to get over to the arena where Pepperjack and Kat were already waiting. Old wooden bleachers surrounded the riding arena where all the rodeo events took place. Earlier in the day, the little kid activities had taken place with sheep wrangling and other fun. The juniors—tweens and teens who had been riding since they were tiny themselves—would kick things off for the evening crowd.

After Colt dropped Willow off with Kat and the other riders, we all found seats with a decent view of the action. Two young teen boys showcased their roping skills, stirring up memories of the early years of Colt’s and my friendship, back before prom, before I’d come out, before I’d had the giant secret crush sitting between us. Just two friends, hanging out, trying to stay out of or get into trouble. We’d never roped together, but we’d had the same easy communication and ability to work in unison.

I’d had any number of friends in the intervening years, Adler included, but none like Colt. There was a soul-deep understanding between us, a comfort level I’d never found with anyone else. It was as if I had an inner compass true to Colt and, by extension, this place because I couldn’t take Colt away from here, couldn’t separate him from the town and county he loved.

After the roping, the junior barrel racers came out, tiny wisps of girls moving at breathtaking speeds and executing pinhead tight turns. Willow was up third, and right out of the gate, she looked faster and more controlled than the first two riders, attacking the obstacles with steely determination.

The crowd roared, and Colt and Hannah were on their feet cheering. I couldn’t help but join them in stamping and yelling. The atmosphere was electric as Willow turned for home. However, something happened—a stray rock or other hazard made the horse lose its footing—whatever it was, Willow was going far too fast as Pepperjack faltered. One second, she was on the horse, and the next, she was flying through the air.

Whump.She landed a few feet from Pepperjack as the rodeo clowns stormed in, one taking charge of the riderless horse and two others rushing to Willow. The arena grew deathly quiet.

“Oh no!” Hannah gasped.

“Willow!” Colt scrambled down from the bleachers, face as pale as I’d ever seen it. “I’ve got to get to her.”

He rushed away before I could find my voice. I had no clue what I would say in any event. I couldn’t promise she’d be okay when she clearly wasn’t. EMTs from the first-aid tent joined the rodeo workers, and they strapped Willow onto a backboard before carrying her from the arena. Nervous cheers went up, but the crowd remained on edge, with anxious chatter and a weird energy, even as the announcer tried to settle folks back down for the next riders.

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