Page 33 of Every Single Wildflower
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” She crosses her arms. “I just meant I want everyone healthy, and the ranch to be in the green. Just normal.”
He sighs and runs a hand over his jaw. “I know.” He glances at me. “Sorry. All this shit is getting to me too.” He looks back to Ivy. “Why don’t you take Sugarfoot out?”
The look on her face could ice out the bravest of warriors. “Cooper. You know I don’t ride anymore.”
“Why not?” He presses.
“You know why.” She tosses her hands up.
“You know how many times I’ve been bucked off of a horse?” He questions.
“Twelve,” I insert casually.
He glares at me. “Eleven.”
“Man up, Cooper. That pony bucked your ass off.” I chuckle.
“Tater Tot?” Ivy gapes.
“The one and only.” I grin.
“Both of you can kiss my ass.” Cooper rips open his door. “Now if you will excuse me, I’ve got to go pick up Dakota.”
“What happened?” Ivy asks, her face growing serious.
“Her dad called her last night.”
We fall silent, all knowing what that means.
“Tell her to call me if she needs me.” Ivy softens. “I hate that he still gets to her.”
“Yeah. Fucking piece of shit.” Cooper spits. “He better be glad he’s behind bars.”
Cooper climbs in his truck before hollering out the open window. “I mean it, Ivy. We can’t do anything until the report comes back. Relax. Enjoy being home.”
Ivy waves a hand dismissively, but since going the easy route and ignoring her isn't something I'm capable of, an idea is already forming in my head. I know exactly what she needs.
Chapter twenty-six
Ivy
I wrap my hands around the ceramic coffee mug, letting the warmth settle against my palms as I stroll to the barn. It’s already early afternoon, but as tired as I am, I'm going to need an obscene amount of caffeine to keep me lucid. I knew Cooper was right. I had a tendency to fixate on things until I had a raging headache or mettled into the insomnia territory. Plus, it would keep me away from Maddox and I could try to get myself under control.Jealousy? Really, Ivy?
I needed some time with Sugarfoot. I believe all the things that have been said about horses and therapy. I’d rather spend two hours with an equine therapist over a live human any day of theweek. You can’t describe it unless you’ve experienced it, and it does quite literally cause pain to my heart living with the fact I can’t even get over my own fears to ride her again. Take her on the trials she loved so much.
The first thing I notice when I enter the barn is the new feeding trays, but then I lift my eyes, and skid to a stop.
“Hey,” Maddox says over his shoulder as he runs a brush through Sugarfoot’s long mane.
“What are you doing?” I narrow my eyes.
“What I do every day.” He shrugs a shoulder.
Every day?
“Tend to the horses? I thought that was Cooper’s job.” I take a sip of coffee.
He keeps brushing with one hand, slipping a treat to her mouth with the other. “It is.” He glances at me with those devastatingly beautiful eyes. I wonder how many hearts have stopped mid beat because of them. “ButItake care of her.”
