“As long as I get some mac and cheese before you come back, I’ll be happy. So take your time.” He wanders in the direction of the arena. I’m sure he’s gone to cheer on Spencer. Josh is a great guy and freaking handsome too. Maybe he’s just what Hope needs as a distraction. She always blushes when he’s around. I’m rooting for him to be part of Hope’s happily ever after.
I did see them talking privately at my birthday. I’ll have to remember to ask her what that was about. Fuck, I’m such a bad friend, so completely wrapped up in my own shit that I haven’t taken the time to make sure she’s okay. As much as Nana thinks she’s matchmaking, Hope has some deep-seated resentment for the McCallister brothers, and I’m not sure that’s a place she can easily come back from.
The ride is peaceful and exactly what I need to reset myself. Cole knows when to be quiet and just take in the serenity. We do that for the first half of the ride, but curiosity gets the better of me eventually.
“So where did you learn to ride? You look like you’re at home on the back of a horse.” We’re riding Western today, and he’s had no problem no matter what pace we travel at.
“My parents have a ranch in Wyoming. I grew up riding horses.”
“Oh wow, okay. So what made you go into PR and not ranching?”
He grins. “I have four brothers and a sister. There are enough of us that I didn’t have to, and the whole reason I went into PR in the first place was to help the ranch. It wasn’t doing very well, so we decided to turn it into a dude ranch to generate some extra income. We built some rustic cabins, and now people pay a fortune to come play ranch hand for a week. We even have a large lodge now for corporate retreats.” Huh, that wassonot what I had thought. His accent doesn’t say country boy at all. He laughs at what must be a stunned look on my face.
“I try to get back a couple of times a year. My brothers have kids that are all a little older than Spencer, and he loves going to see his cousins. He’s finally getting to an age where he can really enjoy it.”
“That sounds awesome. Well, I’m sure the riding lessons with Dad will help when you get out there.”
His smile drops into a frown. “I’m not sure when that’s going to happen next. When I picked him up this morning, Hayden told me she’s been offered a movie role, but it’s filming in Australia for the next year.”
“Oh no, Cole. What’s going to happen with Spencer? She can’t possibly take him as far away as Australia, can she?”
“That’s the weird thing. She didn’t even bring up that possibility. Hayden wants him to stay here with me. She leaves after the new year, so instead of me having Christmas with Spencer because it’s my turn, she wants him with her, then he’ll come to me when she leaves. She says she doesn’t have the time to be worrying about him as well as concentrating on her new career.”
“Well, that’s bullshit.” The words fly out of my mouth, and Cole chuckles ruefully.
“That’s what I said too, but it’s what she’s like. She’s only a mom when it’s convenient for her. I also think that the new boyfriend might have something to do with it.”
“No matter the circumstances, this is wonderful for you, Cole.” I reach out and grab his hand, squeezing it.
“Yeah, but what happens when she finishes and comes back?” He rubs a hand across his chin. “I think I’m going to take her to court for full custody, and she can have visitation rights. I would never keep Spencer away from his mother, no matter what, but I want to keep his life as stable as possible.”
“If you need representation, Forrest has a great family lawyer on his team. We can arrange for you to see him.”
He stares at me for a moment, wrinkles creasing his brow as he really studies me before shaking his head. “You are not the person I thought you were, and I really want to apologize for making assumptions. That would be great if you wouldn’t mind.”
I’m a little surprised at his outburst, but I appreciate the apology. I shrug. “It’s okay. I’m used to being judged.”
“Well, even though I’m guilty of it, it’s still bullshit. I should have known better than to jump to conclusions. I guess Hayden made my walls bigger than they need to be because she’s an expert at appearing one way when she’s actually another.” I’m not surprised by his words. It kind of explains why he’s been the way he has with me, not that I’m excusing his behavior.
Maybe I’m willing to let him off the hook too easily, but an apology is more than I’ve ever gotten from most of the people I surround myself with. It’s really only ever been my family, and now Riku and the other guys, who have cared enough about my feelings to recognize and admit that they have wronged me in any way. Maybe I should make him work harder for some kind of forgiveness, but as someone who’s made some awful assumptions herself, I know how much of an internal battle it can be to rewire your brain. If he’s willing to look at me with fresh eyes, I’ll take that as enough.
When we finish up our ride, we look after our mounts and return them to their stables, saving Josh some work.
“Let’s wash up. I’m sure Mrs. Heyton saved us some lunch,” I say as we walk back to the house.
“That’s if Spence didn’t eat it all. Mac and cheese really is his favorite.” We enter the house from the back patio and grind to a halt at the sight in front of us. Dad and Spencer are on the sofa with the TV on in front of them, the channel set to show some cartoon, and they are fast asleep. Spencer’s head is resting on Dad’s lap, and Dad’s leaning back on a cushion. He’s snoring quietly.
“Aw, that’s so freaking cute,” I whisper to Cole, who looks torn. “Leave them be for now. We can go eat, then we’ll wake them when we get back.” I drag him to the kitchen. In the oven, I find two covered plates of food, so I pull them out and set two places at the island. Grabbing us both a beer to go with it, I gesture for Cole to take a seat.
We dig into the food, and he groans with appreciation. “This is amazing,” he says, swallowing. “I’m going to need to get the recipe from Mrs. H.”
“And I’m sure she’ll give it to you. She loves it when people appreciate her food. Listen, would you like to take Spencer for a swim after their nap? I’ve arranged for Kai to give him a ride in the helicopter when they come home, but they won’t be back until a little later this afternoon.”
“It’s a bit cold to go for a swim. I wouldn’t want him to get sick.”
“We’ve got a heated one downstairs, and there are spare suits for you. I’m not sure if we have anything that will fit Spencer, though if I know Dad, that will soon change. Maybe he could go in his underwear, then we can throw them in the dryer when we’re finished. There’s a hot tub down there, too, and a sauna,” I singsong, remembering his groans when he got off the horse.
“Sold. I can’t believe how sore I am. I used to live on horseback growing up.”
