Page 98 of Untamed

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so nauseous in my life, especially seeing Dad’s narrowed eyes glued to our interlaced hands, with an unreadable expression on his face. I glance at my mom. She offers me a comforting smile and for a moment, my muscles relax a little.

A throat clears, snapping my attention back to my father. His gaze is now fixed firmly on me. “Firstly, I want to apologize for telling you not to come back here. That was wrong. This is your home, and it always will be.”

“Yes, that was wrong.” My mother clicks her tongue as she shakes her head at him.

Dad rolls his eyes in exasperation. Seeing them together you can understand why they never lasted, but I’m grateful they’ve managed to stay civil despite everything.

“As I was saying, I’m sorry for what I said.” His jaw tightens, his gaze shifting to Colter for a brief moment before coming back to me. “That being said, you need to understand that I don’t approve of this relationship. My feelings about Colter have notchanged and I don’t think they ever will.” My heart sinks, and my stomach twists with his words. “He’s too old for you, among other things,” Dad continues, his tone authoritative. “As a father, you want what’s best for your children. And I don’t believe Colter is what’s best for you. You’re going to school soon. You’ll be making a new life for yourself, and this… This can only end with someone getting hurt.”

“I don’t want to go away to school,” I blurt out. I need him to understand this. Need him to hear me. We’ve fought about it countless times and each time it’s been ignored. “And before you say it’s because of Colter, my decision has nothing to do with him. You know that. I’ve talked to you both about this for months now. School is not what I want. Yes, I want to continue my studies, but online. I want to stay here, work the ranch. School is just…not for me,” I finish, hoping and praying that this time they’ll finally hear me.

“Sweetheart–” Mom starts, but I cut her off.

“No, Mom,” I shoot up from the couch, my frustration boiling over. “This is my life and you both need to respect that.” My voice rises in anger.

What will it take for them to see I am old enough to know my own mind?

Mom exhales, her face softening. “Okay, I’m willing to hear you out.”

“Ashley,” Dad growls in a low rumble.

“No, Lincoln. Mila’s right. She’s nineteen. A young woman now. We need to let her make her own choices.” Her voice is firm, even with Dad’s glare on her. “Jesus, I’d already given birth to your son when we were younger than that. We need to listen to what our daughter has to say.”

I sigh, and for the first time, I feel like I might actually be getting somewhere. I glance down at Colter, and the pride in his eyes gives me courage to carry on. I smile at him, my heartswelling as I take a seat beside him and lace our hands together. “Colter is the man I love. He’s explained everything to me and even knowing about his past, I still choose him.

Mom smiles softly, but Dad’s expression hardens, his jaw clenching. “A man who’s cost me thousands in entries for a rodeo he threw away. He should be focusing on getting his career back. Not messing around with a nineteen-year-old girl he has no business messing around with.”

Colter speaks up, his words coated with emotion “With all due respect, sir, your daughter means more to me than any competition or my career ever could.”

Dad’s gaze sharpens, and he fires back. “And how do you think you’re going to support her with no work?”

Colter shrugs, unbothered. “I’ll find work. Hell, I’ll pick up shit if I have to.”

Dad barks out a laugh, but it’s humorless. “Christ, Colter. Who the hell do you think is gonna employ you? I was the only man in the state to give you a chance, and you threw it away. You’re delusional if you think any other ranchers will change their minds about you.”

“I’ll find something,” Colter repeats, undeterred by my father’s outburst.

I look to my father, my voice soft when I suggest, “You could always keep him on. I know it’d make me happy if we could stay here.”

Dad rises from the couch, running a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. He starts pacing the room, muttering something under his breath. After a few tense moments, he turns to face me. “If he leaves, you’ll leave with him.” It’s not a question but a statement.

I nod, confirming that is exactly what will happen. My eyes drop to where I hold Colter’s hand. He squeezes gently, silentlytelling me he has my back as much as I have his. “Yeah.” The one word is hard to get passed the lump in my throat.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Dad curses, glaring in our direction.

“Lincoln,” Mom scolds, but her gaze quickly moves to me. I see the panic in her eyes, the uncertainty. I know she’s scared, and I’m torn. I don’t want to give my dad an ultimatum, but I feel like I have no other choice. I won’t be without Colter. “Please reconsider Colter’s job. I need to know my baby is here, safe,” she pleads, her eyes filling with tears.

Dad’s face softens slightly as he looks at her, but it hardens just as quickly. His jaw tics and he’s silent for a good couple of minutes as he processes Mom’s words. We all sit there waiting for his decision. After what feels like forever, he finally speaks.

“Fine. You can keep your damn job.” Happiness bursts inside me in an instant, only for it to come crashing down when his next words hit. “On one condition.” I freeze. “You get your ass down to Florida. You’ve got a competition this weekend. You go, win there, then win the championships in Vegas. If you do that, I’ll see about giving you a permanent job with the performance side of the business.”

I shoot up from the couch, throwing my arms around my father. “Thank you. Thank you,” I repeat, overwhelmed with joy. This is the man I know and love. The forgiving, non-judgmental one.

He wraps his arms around me, pulling me in close, his voice is thick with emotion when he speaks, “I love you, Mila.”

“I love you too, Daddy. I’m sorry for how you found out, but I’m not sorry for loving him. In time, you’ll see he’s good for me. And good for the ranch,” I choke out.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Still hate the asshole for touching my little girl,” he grumbles, patting my back before pulling away.

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