Page 70 of Wrangled Love

Walker snorts. “Did they ever.”

I narrow my eyes, but he’s unfazed, shooting me a cheeky grin before taking a drink of coffee.

Briar interrupts our silent standoff when she steps between us and sets a stack of pancakes on the table. “Dig in before they get cold.”

Her brothers don’t need to be told twice. They each pile three onto their plates and drown them in syrup.

Julie brings over a bowl of strawberries and bananas, setting it between Heath and Walker. “Add something healthy.”

Without protest, they each add a generous helping onto their pancakes. Grown men or not, they know better than to disobey their mom.

I set Caleb down and he heads straight to the table, climbing onto a chair. His eyes light up at the sight of the food, and he licks his lips. Briar’s breakfast has set a new standard, and I doubt he’ll settle for cereal again.

“Want a pancake, bud?” I ask.

He nods.

“Here, I made this one special for you,” Briar says, crossing the room to place a dino-shaped pancake with chocolate chips in front of Caleb.

It means a lot that she remembers his favorite and went out of her way to make sure there was one ready when he arrived.

“You bringing the little dude to help us bale hay?” Walker asks, talking around a mouthful of food.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Julie chides.

“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbles sheepishly.

I considered bringing Caleb along, but I don’t think it’s the best idea. It will be hot out today, and I don’t want him getting overheated or too tired, especially since I won’t be able to keep a constant eye on him. However, Briar has him every weekday afternoon, and I didn’t want to ask her to give up her Saturday. Julie had him last night, so it wouldn’t be fair to ask her again.

“Caleb can spend the day with me,” Briar says before I can reply.

I glance over to where she’s flipping another batch of pancakes. “Really? I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

She waves me off with a grin. “Of course. I’d love nothing more,” she assures me. “I’ve been wanting to introduce him to the horses. Cooper, our horse wrangler, is here today, so there should be at least one in the corral for Caleb to meet.”

“If Briar has other things to do later, Caleb’s more than welcome to come with me to take care of the chicks once I’m back from town,” Julie adds. “It’s no trouble at all.”

My heart swells with gratitude, amazed by the level of generosity we’re surrounded by, and I’m certain now more than ever that coming to Bluebell was the right decision.

After Jensen and my brothers left for the fields, Caleb and I spent time with Ziggy. We fed him oats and sweet potatoes, and when he finished eating, they played a game of tag. Ziggy would chase Caleb in short bursts, bleating as he ran, while Caleb darted between trees, laughing as he looked over his shoulder at Ziggy barreling toward him.

Our backyard adventure was followed by a walk, eventually making our way to the corral. Only one horse was there. The others were likely already out in the pasture for the day. With no sign of Cooper outside, we head inside the stable to find him tending to a saddle.

His face is hard-set, his piercing blue eyes scanning his surroundings, always alert to potential threats. He’s wearing his favorite black cowboy hat and a short-sleeved tan button-down shirt that stretches across his muscular frame, revealing his inked forearms. Several visible scars peek out beneath, but he doesn’t talk about them, and I’ve never asked, respecting his privacy. Some things are betterleft unspoken.

“Hey, Cooper,” I call out with a wave.

He gives a quick nod. “Howdy, Briar.” His hands move with precision, working the saddle soap into the worn leather in slow circles.

“It’s been a while,” I say.

“Yeah, I had to go on some business trips for the security firm. It’s good to be back.”

He sets the sponge and tin on the edge of the tack bench, wiping his hands on his jeans before approaching us.

He crouches down next to Caleb and holds out his hand. “You must be Caleb. Mighty glad to finally meet you.”

Caleb chews on his bottom lip, staring at Cooper, and I brace myself for him to shy away or tuck himself behind me. However, to my surprise, he reaches out and shakes Cooper’s hand. He’s come a long way with me and the Halsteads, but this is the first time I’ve seen him interact with someone he’s not familiar with.

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