“Mine too,” I say softly.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jared says, his expression shifting into a shared pain.
I nod. “I was a teenager. It sounds like maybe you guys were even younger.”
“We were,” Jared says. “But then our dad also died when we were teenagers.”
I bring my hand to my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine losing my dad also.”
Jared and Max exchange a look like they’re having a silent conversation about something. Whatever it is, apparently they decide not to share it, and Arch breaks the awkwardness.
“How do you like living on Wild Ranch?” he asks me.
“I love it,” I say honestly.
“Do you ride horses?”
Arch’s question is innocent, but I flinch anyway.
I don’t even know why. I’m used to passing off the question; I get it often enough from ranchers and cowboys when I meet them for my work. But, with Declan sitting next to me, the inquiry feels more intimate somehow.
Realizing I still haven’t answered, I flash Arch a quick smile. “I grew up horseback riding.” And then, I finish with, “I miss it.”Thatwasn’t supposed to come out of my mouth.
“You’ll have to take her, Dec,” Arch says to him.
Before I can protest, Arch adds, “What Coach doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
I widen my eyes. “No horseback riding is written into your contracts?”
“Not exactly,” Declan says. “My agent didn’t allow many restrictions in my contract. But, Coach prefers us to keep our feet on land when we’re not on the ice. His words.”
I laugh. “That makes sense.”
“But I’ll make an exception for you,” Declan says to me. “Tomorrow morning? You want to go riding then?”
“Um.” I swallow. “Your cousins have offered up their horses multiple times, but it was never the right time. Why don’t we see what time we get up tomorrow?”
Declan cocks his head like he’s trying to read me. “Okay,” he finally says. “Whenever you want to, I’m game.”
“Speaking of game, how come we haven’t seen you at one of ours yet, Mia?” Jared pipes in. “Declan loves having fans in the stands.”
“Fuck off, Storm,” Declan says with no bite. His expression is nearly amusement. “Mia will come when she can. I’ve got her seats set up.”
Right now, anything sounds easier than horseback riding. Which would explain why I say, “I’m coming tomorrow night.” I hadn’t planned to do anything tomorrow night, considering what day it is, but it’s too late to back out now.
Every head at the table swings in my direction.
“You are?” Declan says. “You don’t have to…”
“I want to,” I say quickly. Too quickly, and I know Declan notices.
“Mia…” he begins.
“I can’t wait to watch you boss everyone else around on the ice,” I say. “I’ve gotten to see it on the television screen, but I imagine in person, it’s that much more amazing.”
Declan leans over and kisses my head.
“Ahhh, how sweet,” Arch says teasingly with a smirk. “Two lovebirds. I never thought I’d see Wild settled.”
