Page 116 of Never Left You

“Do you think your name will be on the list next year? You’ve been doing great back home.”

Home.I let it slip. I called Hartwell Hills home. I referenced our future, twice now, and he still focused on the event in front of him.

As much as I hated to admit it, I could tell that confrontation with Carolyn rattled him. I hadn’t asked what they were talking about after I had left; they didn’t talk long. Long enough to get under his skin. I just had to pull him back somehow.

Reaching up, I rubbed on his arm. “Hey.” He took a breath and turned to me. “It’s almost time for the barrel racers.” I smiled.

He returned my soft smile, leaning in to give me a chaste kiss. His eyes began to dance as his smile grew. It wasn’t my smile that I had grown to search for in crowds, but a vacant smile.

“What’s going through your head?” I asked, reaching up to touch his cheek.

He chewed on his bottom lip. “Nothing.” Lifting his hand to the nape of my neck, he pulled me to him, kissing my forehead lightly. “I’m just”—he kissed my lips—“here.”

“Are you?” I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. “I said three things just now. What did I say?” I responded, making sure my tone was teasing.

“You wish that was Rhett.” He pointed his chin towards the dirt. “You want to bring Stetson here next year, and you want me to ride.” He met my gaze. “You’re right. I think it’s dumb that Rhett took a year off. I saw Kyla last year in Utah, she was enjoying traveling with him. Stetson would love to travel next year so…we’ll make that happen.”

I smiled. He saw us in his future—that confirmed it, but then his next statement made me crinkle my nose: “But, I don’t think I’ll be competing again.”

“You could, you know.”

“I would need way more training.”

“Then you train. You have an entire arena at your disposal.”

He raised a single eyebrow.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the vibration in my pocket drew me away from him. Kyla’s photo shown on my screen. I smiled and glanced at Cash.

“Stetson, it’s a FaceTime.” I slid the bar, thewhoopshowing my son’s eager face. “Hey, Stet.”

“Mama, what rodeo are you at?”

I looked over at Cash. He leaned in and looked at my son. “Billings Round Up,” he answered for me.

“Uncle Rhett!” Stetson turned his head from view.

“I heard, I heard.” Rhett’s voice boomed in the background. “Aunt Kyla is checking.” Rhett leaned on the couch behind Stetson. “Who’s leading tie down?”

“Zeke so far.” I answered my brother. “I was just telling Cash I wished you were here.”

“That makes two of us Abi!” Kyla’s faint voice came through the phone.

“Next year. Make sure you say hi to Zeke for me.” Rhett’s smile shone through the screen. You could tell he missed this.

“If I see him.” I gave him a wink.

“When are you coming home?” Stetson turned, making him the complete focus of the screen.

“Two more sleeps, bud.” I answered. “Tonight, then there will be a day on the road, and then I’ll be home.”

“Cash too?”

I looked over at him, and he gave one single nod.

“Cash too.” I confirmed.

Stetson gave me a wide smile, his eyes lighting up.

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