Page 13 of Wrangled Love

I can admit when I’ve crossed a line, and I’d rather we talk things out now than spend the next three months walking on eggshells because we couldn’t agree to move forward.

“Thank you for understanding. This is all so new to me,” he says as he blows out a deep breath. “I was surprised to see how quickly Caleb warmed up to you when I’ve had to practically drag out the smallest response from him.”

Jensen’s admission tugs at my heartstrings. This can’t be easy for him either. He built a successful tech firm in New York and had a life there. Now, he’s had to leave it all behind and move back to a place he barely tolerates while navigating fatherhood for the firsttime. I suspect his frustration has less to do with me and more to do with how powerless he feels, caught at the mercy of forces beyond his control.

“You’re doing your best, Jensen. It will take some time, but Caleb will adjust. Keep showing up like you have been, and he’ll get there.”

He pushes off the wall, stepping toward me. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now if only I believed it,” he whispers.

I rest my hand on his shoulder, giving him a soft smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep believing for both of us until you do.”

“Sorry again for being such an ass—” He pauses as noise drifts from Caleb’s bedroom.

We’re both quick to move down the hall, and I quietly push the door open a few inches to investigate. Caleb sits on the floor by the bookshelf, flipping through a picture book, his dino nestled in his lap. Jensen moves in behind me, close enough to feel his breath against the nape of my neck.

He leans in and whispers, “He looks happy.”

Caleb really does, and I only hope Jensen realizes it’s not all because of the decorated room. His happiness comes from Jensen’s unwavering devotion since finding out he was a dad. You can see it in the way he looks at his son and his commitment to giving him the best life possible. When all is said and done, no dinosaur wallpaper will make Caleb brave and strong again. It’ll be Jensen’s strength and courage that will carry them through to better times, even when he questions if he’s up to the task.

I meet his eyes over my shoulder. “You’re not alone in this. Not anymore.”

He studies me, his expression softening. “Thank you, Briar. This wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I reply.

Somehow, I know Caleb and Jensen will find their rhythm.

“One red velvet latte with sugar-free syrup and almond milk, as requested.” I slide the cup across the table to my friend Charlie, then slide into the booth across from her with my own coffee and bagel.

She grins. “You’re a lifesaver.”

After taking a sip, she leans back in her seat, sighing in satisfaction.

“I’m pretty sure you’re the only reason Lasso & Latte keeps sugar-free red velvet syrup in stock,” I tease.

Charlie shrugs. “As they should. I’m a VIP customer.”

She’s earned the status.

In high school, we stopped by every morning before class, and as adults, it’s still one of our favorite hangout spots. The owner, who has diabetes, made sure that when Charlie was also diagnosed at sixteen, she could still enjoy her go-to drink without worrying about her blood sugar spiking. Though I have it on good authority that she orders it with regular syrup when she comes in alone.

She’s always been stubborn. Not even a serious diagnosis can convince her to give up her favorite coffee.

“Okay, spill it. Did Jensen survive the big move, or did he ask for a personal assistant to unpack?” she asks, chuckling at her own joke. “I’m disappointed you didn’t text me a play-by-play yesterday.”

I normally would have, but after my conversation with Jensen, I spent the afternoon helping Walker check the irrigation system. By the time I got home, it was late; both Jensen and Caleb were asleep. I was too tired to do anything but crash into bed.

“Caleb is a sweetheart,” I say fondly. “He’s shy, and it could be a while before he speaks again, but I’m confident he’ll open up when he’s ready.”

I think spending time with the animals on the ranch will do him good, and maybe he can even ride one of the ponies eventually. But I’ll have to run it by Jensen first. I don’t want a repeat oflast night, or to upset him by making decisions for Caleb without consulting him.

“What about Jensen?” Charlie’s question has me looking up to find her staring at me with an amused expression. “The ladies from the walking club said he’s easy on the eyes but wouldn’t last a day hauling hay. What do you think? Is he as good-looking in person as he is in the photos?”

Yes.

He looks so different from what I remember as a kid. He’s ridiculously hot in business clothes, but there’s no question he’d be downright dangerous in Wranglers and a white tee. The last time he wore anything like that, I was too young to appreciate it. There’s something about a man who can trade in his designer suit for dusty boots and who has the kind of smile that makes me forget every rule I’ve made for myself.

I need to get a grip—preferably not on him.

---