“What’s going on with you?” Gunner asked as the chatter continued around us.
Ella, Lily’s mom, Calvin, our mayor and Ella’s partner, plus Lily’s grandma, Peggy, were there. Just like every Sunday. Filling our house with laughter and chatter, even more than it was already bursting with.
“No idea what you’re talking about.” I pushed some carrots around my plate, trying to make it look like I’d eaten something.
Gunner’s hand came down on my arm as Peggy shrieked with laughter at something Bertie had said. His eyes, so like my own, pleaded with me to talk. For too long he hadn’t. He’d bottled things up and struggled through losing Mom without letting anyone know the true amount of pain he was in. After a time of playing up, he started to spend more time with the horses, particularly Arial, the one Mom gave to him. The beautiful, sweet mare he’d lost in the stable fire. Now, thanks to Cassidy, he was all about talking and spilling your guts. Well, spoiler alert, I wasn’t. Not today.
“Seriously, Gun, I’m okay. Maybe I have the flu coming on or something.”
“I don’t remember the last day you were ill, Wild, so sorry if I don’t believe you.”
I looked around the table at my family. The people who I loved most in the world. The people who were my world. Yet, I couldn’t open my mouth and tell any of them that our father wanted to see me. Our world was better without him in it, yet my heart and mind were in turmoil with the need to let him back in from the cold.
“Maybe I hide it well.” I didn’t mean to snap but just like the food, the words were unwelcome on my tongue.
“You not hungry, sweetie?” Lily asked from across the table, clearly disappointed. “You’ve barely touched your food.”
“I know Lily’s cooking is better than mine,” Cassidy chimed in. “But it’s still pretty good.”
I threw them both an empty smile. “It’s great, honestly. I’m not feelingthe best.” I cleared my throat. “I think I need some fresh air.”
The look each of my brothers and their partners exchanged didn’t pass me by. When Gunner grinned it was clear what they were all thinking. Damn it, I was thinking it, too. I needed to see Tally.
“Want me to keep it for later?” Lily asked.
I didn’t but she and Cassidy had gone to an awful lot of trouble. “That would be great, Lil. Thank you.”
Peggy raised her eyebrow and eyed me suspiciously. Always one step ahead. All knowing.
“Where are you off to?” she asked. “To get thisfresh air.”
“I’ll maybe take a ride out to the creek. I haven’t tested it yet this week.” It was a lie; I’d tested it two days ago. Regular as clockwork since Dad had poisoned it a couple of years back.
“It can wait, Wild.” Nash pushed his chair back and moved to stand.
“No, Nash, eat your lunch. I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you go take a nap instead,” he suggested.
“A ride will do me good.”
Peggy snorted.
“Are you okay Grandma?” Bertie asked and reached to pat Peggy’s hand. “Momma, you maybe should mash Grandma’s food like Billy’s next Sunday.”
We all started to laugh except for Peggy who pouted like a toddler.
While everyone began chattering again, I quietly snuck out. Pushing my feet into my boots at the front door and grabbing my jacket, there was only one place I was going.
I found Tally in the stables, brushing down one of the ranch horses. It wasn’t part of her job, it was a task the stable hands usually took on, but I wasn’t surprised to see her doing it. She worked hard and just because she was Gunner’s assistant it didn’t mean she wouldn’t do the menial jobs.
“Who’s this?” I asked moving up behind her.
“Maverick. Came in yesterday.” She glanced over her shoulder and flashed me a grin. Eyes the color of wet moss, shining with questions. “Aren’t you supposed to be eating lunch?”
“Wasn’thungry.”
I stepped in closer, the warmth from her back blooming against my chest, spreading through the stall like sunlight pooling on worn wood.
