Page 135 of Goaltender Interference

“Well, you have to ride with an adult, Maura,” Viv said.

“Wanna ride with Jesse!” she said, darting over to him.

Jesse glanced over at Connor and Viv with a frown but Maura wiggled her arms to be picked up, tugging at his hand. He hoisted her onto his hip, checked on something with Evie, then walked over. “What’s going on?” He looked between Connor and Viv.

“Maura is not very happy about having to ride with an adult,” Connor explained. “And she said she wants to ride with you.”

Jesse’s glance slid over to Viv. “Are you okay with that?”

“Frankly, no,” she said, her lips pursed. “I’ve never seen you ride and while I know you said you have experience with horses, riding is dangerous.”

Jesse nodded. “I understand.” He looked at Maura. “I’m sorry, kiddo. Not this time.”

Maura huffed, burying her head against Jesse’s neck. He patted her back, glancing at Connor with a conflicted expression.

“C’mon, Maura,” Viv coaxed. “Youalwayslike to ride with me.”

“Want Jesse,” she said, her voice muffled.

Connor suppressed a smile. She might not look like an O’Shea, but she could be stubborn like one.

“Well, I’m sorry but it’s either Daddy or me today,” Viv said in a brisk tone.

Maura huffed, then lifted her head, wiggling to get out of Jesse’s arms. He set her down and she walked over to Viv’s horse. Apparently, she’d made her decision.

Connor shrugged at Jesse, who gave him a grin.

“Last choice, huh?” he chirped. “Rough.”

“Tell me about it,” Connor said with a rueful smile back.

But it could have been worse. Maura hadn’t melted down into a tantrum so Connor would call it a win.

“Okay, everyone, are we ready to go?” Connor asked.

“Ready!” Evie said.

Jesse nodded and Viv put her boot into the stirrup, swinging her leg over the back of her horse, Clementine. She was one Viv owned, like Biscuit, though Connor’s, Nolan’s, and Jesse’s were rentals. Connor lifted Maura up into her arms, tucking her onto the saddle seat, tight up against Viv’s body.

Viv glanced down at Connor, her lips pursed. “You know, Connor, we’re not all your team. You don’t have to order us around like we are.”

He opened his mouth to point out he wasn’t trying to do anything of the sort, but she gathered her reins in her hand, tapped her heels into Clementine’s sides, then trotted off.

So, apparently it was gonna be one ofthosedays. Every time he thought things were getting better between him and Viv, something came up to prove to him they still didn’t have their shit together.

With a sigh, Connor walked over to Honey. He nodded at Lacie who handed the reins to him, then mounted the horse.

He didn’t like the constant arguing—or even the little snipes at each other—especially around the kids. He’d thought they were on the same page about working together. But what the hell had set Viv off? Maura choosing Jesse over her? For fuck’s sake, hewas new and exciting. Of course Maura wanted to spend time with him.

Jesse, on top of a tall chestnut horse named Chester—very clever naming there—came up beside him. “Ready to go?” he asked.

Evie had already taken off after her mother, Biscuit’s smaller legs moving fast to keep up with Clementine’s much longer ones, and Nolan was right on her heels on his horse, Otis.

“Yep,” Connor said, nodding at Jesse. “Let’s do this.”

An hour later, as they wound through the tree-lined path, Jesse and Evie were in the lead, Viv and Maura in the middle, and Connor was bringing up the rear with Nolan.

The earlier awkwardness had melted away and thankfully, all three of the kids appeared to be having fun, although Nolan wasn’t very talkative with anyone but his sisters.

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