Page 41 of Never Left You

Thirteen

Abi

Thearenawasoddlyquiet after the events of last night. I spent the morning looking at the dirt as if it didn’t even happen. It was as if it were a movie, not a real thing. Watching Cash on the back of that horse did all kinds of things to my mind and heart that I didn’t exactly want to admit. I was terrified the moment that chute opened. It brought me back to Sylas’s last ride, and it felt like I was in that moment. This was a horse—not a bull—but by just pulling on the horse’s hair, I felt how tense he was. He was going to buck Cash off in an instant. And thelast time Cash was on a horse, it fell on him, causing a complete disruption in his life.

But there he was, on a bucking horse, because I told him to take his own advice. And then—even after only lasting six point eight seconds—the look on his face was nothing short of excitement. He did it. For the first time in God knows how long, he did it. The fear vanished once I made it to him, grasping him in my hands to feel how solid he was. Even though his body was shaking, he was stronger than he gave himself credit for. And the first thing he wanted to do once his feet were on the ground was hold me in his arms.

I was trying to think of anything else other than Cash’s arms around me, but I could still feel the warmth he brought to my bones. I could still feel him when I mucked all the stalls. I could feel the butterflies as I fed the goats and pigs. I could feel his warmth, even against the chill of the air, while I worked in the milking barn. I couldn’t shake the feeling, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“Calving season is going to come up faster than you think,” Lachlan said, breaking me from my stupor as he touched a cow’s swollen belly. “We need to move all the mamas in the barn.”

I gave the cow a kiss on her nose. “And no late calves this year,” I added, referencing Kyla’s favorite baby cow Josie, who still had yet to be tagged. That cow had become Hartwell Hills’ Mascot.

“As far as I know, none conceived late.”

“How many calves are we expecting?”

“Close to fifty this year I think…” Lachlan trailed off, dipping his chin before taking a step away from the cow. He rubbed his hand against his Wranglers, flexing his palms before reaching up to remove his hat.

My cousin had never, not once, let himself go in the years that followed his breakdown. He was built and lean, perfect forranch work, and with the warmer weather hitting Idaho, he had begun to roll his long sleeves up in the field piece, showing off his tattoos on both his forearms. The one arm a cascading Lily of the Valley flowers, and the other showing off feathers. Both held a special meaning for him. I loved seeing them just as much as he did, even if he never talked about them. It still shocked me that he was single, though I knew he wasn’t looking, especially after what had happened to Hadley, but still—the guy deserved something.

If I could feel that warmth again, couldn’t he? I watched him, his movements smooth as he went from cow to cow. He deserved something other than the hand he was given. His brow furrowed slightly, and that small line in between his brow appeared as he looked from me back to the heifer next to him. Lachlan was focused. Lachlan was determined. And Lachlan needed something to brighten his life.

“Stop looking at me like that,” he grumbled as he worked, bringing me out of the stupor that was thinking about something other than the task at hand.

I grinned. “Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to set me up with one of your friends.”

“My only friend is Kyla and she’s taken, so I can promise you I’m not setting you up with anyone.”

“Then stop making me a Tinder profile in your mind.” He turned his back, giving the cow one final pat before making his way to the next.

I gasped, following him. “That’s a good idea, actually. I can just see all the matches you would get.”

“Stop it.”

“Mama!” Stetson ran into the barn at full speed, his backpack bouncing up and down, the massive amount of keychains he had jingling with every step. I smiled at him, enjoying the sunshinehe always brought with him everywhere. “Can I go on a ride with Uncle Rhett? I can saddle up Marsh all by myself.”

I nodded, then noticed my brother waltz in the barn behind him. “We won’t be out long, just a quick ride around the pastures. Moving cattle tomorrow right Lach?”

“Last year you had a random girl in your bed that you just had to get back to. You're not going to be rushing out on me again this year, are you?” Lachlan said as he bent to accept the hug from Stetson.

Rhett grinned. “Watch it, that ‘random girl’”—Rhett air quoted—“Is always in my bed now. But you know I’d still rush out just to get back to her. Come on Stetson, let’s go saddle up.”

“Be careful,” I shouted as both Stetson and Rhett made their way out of the barn. Rhett waving his hand in the air as if to say ‘I got this.’

“When are they gonna tell everyone the news?” Lachlan’s question caught me by surprise. One of his eyebrows was raised, and both hands were on his hips as he watched Rhett lead my son towards the stable.

“What news?” I acted dumb. As far as I knew, Kyla had told Rhett. She told me he was just as happy as she was, but they weren’t going to tell the family until they had their first appointment. They wanted to soak it up for a while, living in their own little bubble.

Lachlan’s head tilted my direction, that single eyebrow still raised pretty much to his hairline. “Don’t act like you don’t know. He hasn’t said a word to me, but it’s obvious she’s pregnant.”

I narrowed my gaze and pointed at him. “Don’t say a word.”

He raised his hands in defense. “I won’t, just wondering when he will drop the bomb.”

“It’s not a bomb.”

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