Page 39 of When the Smoke Clears

I breathe an exasperated laugh. “I’m fine.”

Her beating around the bush isn’t doing anything. She’s talked to Mama, and that woman can’t keep a secret from her daughter to save her life. I wouldn’t be surprised if she told Sammi that I said Maci’s my future wife.

My fisted knuckles rub against my chest.

“You know, you don’t have to handle everything on your own.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Sammi sighs, and I can see the sister of our teenage years rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “I’m still here for you.”

“I love you, but you have a life that isn’t here—”

She interrupts. “I’m still your sister. It doesn’t mean I don’t care just because I’m somewhere else.”

“That’s not what I mean. I don’t need to call you about what I have going on. You have enough going on with a baby, a marriage, and your job.” Quite frankly, I wouldn’t call even if none of those things were true. I’m not in the habit of talking through things with my sister.

“Sutton, I know you think you need to be the hero, but you don’t.”

I kick my feet off the desk and sit upright. “I never said that.”

“You don’t have to. A wall barely separated us for eighteen years. I also saw it first-hand…” Her voice trails off.

Ok, so I beat the shit out of her high school boyfriend when he got too handsy at a party and wouldn’t take no for an answer. That wasn’t being the hero, though. It was doing the right fucking thing.

I don’t bother with a response.

“It sounds like you have a badass girlfriend who was put into an awful situation, and she did what she had to.”

“We aren’t getting into this.” This is the last thing I want to deal with this morning. The exact opposite of what a relaxing ride provides for me.

“You don’t need to feel guilty. I highly doubt Maci blames you in any way. It’s just a shitty situation.”

“Yep.” She knows as well as I do that my curt response is an end to the conversation, not an agreement.

“Just think about it. And seriously, call me.”

“Mmhmm.” The office door slams closed against the trim behind me as I head back outside.

“I love you, bubba.”

“You, too.” I end the call before she can say anything else. I pinch the bridge of my nose to counter the headache coming on.

Having saddled and mounted Johnny Walker, I’m about to head out for my anticipated solo ride when my phone vibrates in my shirt pocket. There’s no stopping the heavy sigh that escapes my lips.

I answer without checking the caller ID. “Yeah.”

“Boss man, we got a problem,” Jason says. There’s a hint of concern in his voice. “One of the cows has her head stuck in the fence.”

I frown. “The fence?” The majority of the fencing where the herds are is cattle fencing. It’s specifically made to avoid animals getting snagged on or stuck in it.

“Well, the gate to the southwest pasture.”

“What the fuck.” The exasperated words are meant for me only. Our panel gates are definitely large enough for a cow head, and a lot heavier than the fencing, too. “Alright, I’ll be down there in a few minutes. Who’s with you?”

“It’s me and Cody. Kelly’s fixing part of the fence line along the road. She’s starting to thrash around.”

“Do either of you have a jacket?”

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