Page 56 of Head Over Spurs

Then Riley’s words clicked into place next. “You didn’t just leave Dad. You left me.”

She wouldn’t run this time. Determined, Jules lifted a slice of pizza and snapped off a bite, watching her words settle over her mother.

Another bite as silence hung between them. But she was right, and it felt good to say it. It feltreallygood.

“You’re right,” her mom said softly. “You’re right, and I am sorry.”

“Thank you.” A single sorry wouldn’t repair the panic that rocked her world when she lost not just her grandfather, but also the biggest support system she had ever known. But it was a start.

“You know that your father and I were high school sweethearts. Your grandfather was such a staple in my life too. And I allowed my grief to make me selfish. I think I wanted Miles to chase me.”

“You should talk to Dad.” This time, the words didn’t carry a guilty pang. Maybe she would talk to him too.

25

RILEY

They had spent Cooper’s birthday up at camp. But he wasn’t the only one itching to get back. Riley had spent three days replaying the feel of Jules trembling from satisfaction. He remembered how she moaned his name when she was right on the brink. Even at the fire at night, he couldn’t help but notice how the blue of the flames matched her gaze. It was fitting really, how her eyes mirrored the way the hottest fires burned blue. Everything about her was so alive, and she was bringing him back to life more and more each day.

He could see a future for himself again that involved having something of his own. With Jules lighting his fire, and the arrival of Lucky, Riley had also spent the last three days imagining what it would be like to dedicate his time to working with wild horses again.

Ideally, while remaining here at Hayes Ranch. After all, Lucky had found his way to Hayes land—and with the ongoing drive to decrease the wild horse population in the state, he had a feeling Lucky wouldn’t be the only one. They could get ahead of it, prepare for taking on more horses that needed them. But he couldn’t do it alone.

And as the team worked their way back to the compound, finally, all he could think about was finding Jules. Having her in his arms once again, of course. But also, to pitch her this idea. They could continue to be a team of their own, hopefully in all the ways he imagined.

Riley knew some time ago that he was down bad, but it felt like something deeper now. He’d never experienced it before, but he felt like a man in love.

“How do you think Lucky has been doing?” Grey asked, riding up at his side.

He shook himself from his daydream to respond. “Considering where he’s starting, I think he had a good first night. He fed well so I am just hoping he kept that up while we were gone. Wild horses are resilient, I’ve seen worse come in and thrive with some quality care,” he replied. Looking down the ridge line, he spotted the compound in the distance. The white farmhouse glistened in the sun, as if calling them home.

“That’s right.” Grey sounded as if he was back in a memory. “You’ve rehabbed wild horses at the sanctuary.”

“Yeah, for a few years before taking off for the rodeo circuit,” he confirmed.

“You didn’t want to go back to it after?”

Riley considered Grey’s question. He had thought about it, of course. But it would have felt like moving backwards. “The job here felt like a chance to grow into something. New experiences, responsibilities. But I am damn happy to get to rehab Lucky.”And maybe grow something here along with myself.

“You know,” Grey started, raising his eyebrows. “Brett always talked about adding a wild horse sanctuary onto the operations here. Because of Dune.” Then with a quirk of his lip he rode ahead.

Riley was surprised he didn’t hear an audible click as the confirmation that this could work settled into his brain. He’dbeen looking for something to work towards. Something that could behis. It was as if this was just waiting for the right time, the right person to share it with.

By the time they arrived back at the compound, he had a full pitch planned out. It was late in the day, and he knew Jules would more than likely be gone already. Nevertheless, after he turned out his horses, he did a pass through the compound—the long way—before heading to check on Lucky. He wanted to talk through his idea with her before approaching Brett. Partially, it was about wanting her feedback. Partially, he hoped maybe it would sweeten the idea of her sticking around. They could run the sanctuary under Brett, she could be a part of a home.

The sun streamed through the wide-open barn door at the far end of the aisle, a fine cloud of dust illuminated in the rays. He passed through the beam to reach the stall in the corner, one that sat empty just a few days ago.

Making a gentle noise with his tongue, Riley alerted his young foal to his presence, hoping to coax him to the stall door. And it worked. That or Lucky was the type of horse that thrived on attention—which meant he was certainly a good match for the foal.

The tiny face appeared just before Riley reached him, blinking up at the cowboy sleepily. “Hey fella, how ya doing?” He peered into the stall to check the bottle hanging low, so he didn’t lift his head too high to drink. It was still half full. And above it, a note was tacked to the wood informing him that it was refreshed about two hours prior to his arrival. The handwriting was smooth, with bubbly curves. At the bottom was a J with a heart. She was gone for the day, then.

“Did you have a good few days with your fellow wild thing?” he asked, turning back to Lucky. “I’m a little jealous you got to stay here with her.”

A little nicker escaped the foal, as if he was learning how to communicate. It was one of the sweetest sounds, and Riley felt a wide smile stretch across his face in response.

“Did you like having her all to yourself?”

Another nicker.

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