Page 143 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

“You should always be prepared. With our weather, you never know if it’s going to be fifty degrees in the morning and down to zero by the time you go home.”

“I don’t like heavy coats.”

“I remember. Put this hat on, and you have a scarf and gloves. If you get cold, you tell me.” His voice was beginning its characteristic drop as he continued. “Don’t let me find you putting up with being cold.”

“What are you going to do? Spank me?” Did she say that? Her eyes grew wide.

His mouth had the tiniest uptick. “Maybe.”

Now his voice was smoky. It was unfair how he could modulate his voice so well.

“Um, I promise to tell you. But you have to promise to believe me.”

He captured her stare and returned it. “Done.”

Once Jacob was satisfied that she was as dressed as she could be, he put on his outerwear, and they walked out into the brisk air, not quite winter but definitely cold. Snow was likely just around the corner.

“It’s beautiful out here. The ranch has always seemed magical at night. I’ve always loved how bright the stars are here. The moon seemed like you could touch it. Your family has a secure life here, don’t they?”

“They do. I’ve always loved it since I lived and visited here. I love my parents too, but life seemed oppressed on and near the Sioux reservation.”

“I thought you were Nakota.”

“I’m surprised you remembered that. Yes, but still Sioux. I work with the remaining Nakota in the U.S. and all Sioux in North and South Dakota. I’m also making inroads to connect with Minnesota tribes, some of whom have long since moved to Canada, by extending my tribal consulting. Another country has other rules, so it’s a work in progress.”

“This is how you’ve made up for the mistakes of your great-grandfather,” murmured Sage.

“Yes. I’ve long left my ancestry to carry their own loads. But I do it for me and my connection now. When I have children, I want them to participate in some of their rich heritage.”

“I can see that. Where do you live when not here?”

“Now I live just outside of Pierre. It works best for my consulting for ranch management and tribal improvements. You’re getting cold, and I need to start the barnyard shuffle. It’s a little warmer inside.”

Sage laughed. “The what?”

“The barnyard shuffle is what we Red Eagles call going from one barn to another, checking on things before starting or ending the day.”

“Good to know.”

“So, while I work, you tell me all about the last few years.”

“A decade is a long time to recap, but I’ll do my best to hit the highlights.”

As they entered the first barn, he grabbed her hand. “I’m so sorry about what happened between us. I needed to grow up, get my feet under me about my ancestors, and get some education. Then I thought I just needed a job, experience, and more money, and finally, Stryker called and said Até said it was time to come home. They needed things I could give them. The timing was right, and my life needed a better framework. It was time to examine what I gave value to, find more personal purpose.”

“Less loneliness.”

“Yes! You’ve felt it too?”

Sage nodded. She watched Jacob methodically check the animals and put everything away as she filled in the years since he’d left the area. Sage knew Jacob must have returned for quick visits but hadn’t sought her out. She agreed. It wasn’t time to reconnect then. But now... maybe, just maybe, they could make it now.

They were finishing the final stable in the barnyard shuffle when Jacob asked the question she’d tried to avoid. “So, any boyfriend, significant other, someone who calls you theirs?”

“No one who can call me theirs besides Dad.” She hesitated, and Jacob looked up at her. “But you are dating someone.”

“No, I’m not, but I was dating a guy, Flynn Walker, until about a month ago. It was rough at the breakup, but things have settled down, and I’ve gone on.”

“What kind of ‘things’? And rough for whom?” Jacob was instantly alert.

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