Page 186 of Captivated

That plaintive note in Toby’s voice told Robert he hated the distance between them too.

“I’ll ask.” He also wanted to know when Toby could come home.

I need him.

It felt as though half of him was missing.

The afternoon sun slanted low, casting gold across the paddock, but the air held a chill that signaled the end of summer.

A summer that had changed Zeeb’s life beyond recognition.

I didn’t see Nate coming, that’s for damn sure.

He leaned on the rail, watching the horses in the paddock. Nate and Paul were in the stable, mucking out.

Zeeb hadn’t even asked if he could help. He knew what the answer would be.

His hat was pulled low, shading his eyes, but that didn’t prevent him from spying Butch walking toward him, his heavy boots scraping the gravel path from the Leather Barn.

Zeeb smiled to himself.I don’t need three guesses to know what he’s been doin’ in there.There was an air of contentment clinging to him, but there was also an awkwardness in his gait, a stiffness, as though walking was uncomfortable.

Zeeb’s smile morphed into a grin.Oh yeah. Idefinitelyknow what he’s been up to.

Butch came to a stop at Zeeb’s side.

“Well, hell.” Butch’s voice was all drawl and mischief. “Didn’t expect to find the mighty Zeeb Nolan pining like a teenage girl at a Sadie Hawkins dance.” He glanced around. “Where’s the boyfriend?”

Zeeb jerked his thumb toward the stable. “In there with Paul.”

Butch regarded him with a puzzled expression. “What you grinning at?”

He snickered. “You. Kinda walkin’ funny there, Butch. I’m guessin’ that has something to do with Sol. Is hisequipmenton the large side?”

Butch flushed. “None of your damn business.” He leaned on the rail. “How are you doing, cowboy? Still hangin’ in there?”

“Yup. Still healing.”

And thinking. Doing alotof thinking.

Butch said nothing for a moment, but stared out at the paddock, his gaze following the horses. “You all right, Zeeb?”

Zeeb hesitated for a second, then sighed. “Yeah. No. Hell, I dunno.”

That earned him a long side-glance. “Well,thatclears it up.”

Zeeb’s lips twitched, but he didn’t take the bait. He pushed his hat up and gazed out across the land.

Talk about great timing.

If he had to pick a more perfect sounding board, he couldn’t have done better than Butch.

He knows what I’m going through. He’s been there.

Zeeb cleared his throat. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, but if it’s about the recipe for Sol’s banana bread recipe, I ain’t sharing it. That man has secrets.”

Zeeb snorted. “He makes banana bread, and I’m only hearing about it now?” He fell silent.

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