Page 59 of Long Hard Fall

Dad released a gusty breath. “No. She needs to act like an adult about this. We shouldn’t have to go through our lawyers for everything.”

She probably worried that he’d sway her just like he had for the last thirty-plus years. “I can let her know, but I can’t make promises about whether she’ll talk with you.”

“I appreciate it. I’m worried about her and this new man.”

Cash repressed a sigh. Dad could’ve worried a little more before it got to this point. Cash disconnected but didn’t feel like talking to Mom just yet. He texted her and pocketed his phone. His cattle and Abbi were much better subjects to dwell on.

His phone rang again.

Seriously… “Hey, Sissy.”

“Oh. My. God. Mom and Dad have been on me for hours.”

“What did you think they’d do with the news?”

“Let me make my own damn decisions.”

Cash couldn’t hold back this sigh. “Your past decision-making hasn’t impressed them. They’re worried. They’ll get over it. Look on the bright side: when you ship out, they won’t be able to get ahold of you.”

“That kind of makes me feel better. Didn’t you tell them that I talked to the recruiter and everything’s set up, that it’s my decision?”

At least ten times. “Yes, and they were upset I didn’t hold your hand all the way through. Look, Sissy, the best way to show them you’re serious is to do it and be the best sailor you can be. If you regret it, own it and finish your enlistment.”

“Yeah, but can you tell them to quit bugging me?”

As if that would help. “Sure, but I can’t make any promises.” Hadn’t he just said that?

“Tell them that I’m serious. I have a good feeling about the navy.”

“You know, you can tell them yourself.”

“I did, but they’ll listen to you.”

“I’ll talk to them again.” Lord knew, both Mom and Dad would surely call by the end of the day. He scanned the pasture. He and Aaron were nearing the corrals where Travis waited on his bay, Reba, and Abbi perched on the thick corral poles. She waved to Cash. “I gotta go, Sissy. Just don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it.”

For the next hour, they could call all they wanted, but Cash wasn’t going to answer. He grinned at Abbi and brought Patsy Cline to a trot.

Abbi fisted her reins and glanced around. Gorgeous men surrounded her, all astride beautiful beasts.

God, could this be her life? Of course, she wasn’t attracted to any of them other than Cash, who stuck close to her on Patsy Cline. The four cousins he ran the Walker Five with had arrived this morning and now surrounded the eighty cows they were driving to their winter pasture. Abbi had even gotten to meet the dark-haired cousin’s fiancée. Cash had asked if Josie was going to help with the cattle drive and the exotic beauty had laughed and said there was a driveshaft calling her name. Then she’d winked at Brock and driven off in her muscle car.

And when Abbi had said she would love to drive a car like that, Cash had asked Brock. His cousin had said to stop over and Josie would take her out.

So she was helping with a real-life cattle drive, albeit a short one, and then she’d get to go drive a Mustang.

How fucking cool was that?

And these guys lived this life. And Cash wanted her to be a part of his life.

She couldn’t fight her grin.

“Fun, isn’t it?”

She glanced at Cash. Not only was he drool-worthy sitting astride his horse, but his posture was textbook. Wide shoulders, straight back, head held high. She looked at Dillon, Brock, Aaron, and Travis. All the same. Their hips rocked with their horses’ movements, their heads swiveled as they checked on cattle, ball caps pulled down low, but they rode with confidence.

And she was one of them! Minus the ball cap.

“This is so fun.”

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