Silas shakes his head. “It’s not that easy.”
“Come on, there’s that doctor–patient legal crap, isn’t there?”
“I’m fine. Just need a day or two to give it a rest.”
I cock my head. “All right. Let’s head inside. I’ll make you a cup of tea and spoon-feed you like a child.” I chuckle, slapping his good shoulder as we step out of the barn and into the daylight.
Halfway toward the house, he stops short, distracted by the steady rhythm of hooves echoing across the path.
I adjust my hat and squint, following his eyes. “Ah. You bringin’ me Trouble?” I wink at Storm, our horse and riding trainer. Don’t read me wrong, I don’t wink at just any employee—but Storm’s always been like family around here.
The Thornes have known the Daltons for decades. In fact, when Tom Dalton and his wife moved to Blue River, Storm was only nine or ten. Blew us all away with her riding skills and just a love for the outdoors.
After coming home from college last year, she took a job at Callahan Ranch—a rival operation over on the other side of the river.
Wilder and I didn’t ask questions when she came looking for a job here a few months ago. My guess would be the two bone-headed cowboys we lost to them this summer. Not the most respectful duo.
She smiles and swings off my horse in one smooth motion, her worn white boots hitting the dirt with trained ease. “Heya, boss. Meant to bring her and the other two along in the trailer, but she put up a fight,” Storm teases, hand moving slowly over Trouble’s neck.
I chuckle and take the reins. “Sorry you had to ride all this way.” I point to the yellow sports car in the driveway. “Silas will take you back down. I’ll help you bring the other two tomorrow.”
She glances back at the car like I just asked her to walk across the river. Then her eyes narrow at my brother—who’s been quiet behind me.
He steps forward, gaze locked on the blonde. I almost laugh and try to remember the last time he saw her. Must have been years. Since before they both went away to college.
Storm’s eyes don’t linger on him for more than a beat. “That’s all right, I’ll walk.”
“What’s the matter, you don’t take rides from strangers?” Silas smirks and I wince.
“Don’t tell me you don’t rememberStorm. You guys probably went to—”
“No—I don’t ride with strangers.” Storm’s response is sharp, ignoring me and keeping her eyes on my brother. “Plus, I might get your pretty interior all dirty with my boots and clothes.”
Silas frowns, confusion flickering to recognition. “StormDalton? I remember pigtails and freckles.” He scans her once. “Can’t say I recall the attitude.”
She rolls her eyes. “See ya tomorrow, boss.”
She starts walking and I nudge my brother. “Look, I’m not going to try to figure out why she doesn’t like you—but give the girl a ride.”
He watches as she makes her way down the sloped path, blonde hair braided on either side.
“Unless, of course, you want to be the one to get Trouble settled in the new barn, and I take your car.”
He glances back at the horse. “I don’t know what’s more dangerous.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Hell happen to you two?”
“Nothing. She was just .?.?.” He shrugs. “Not part of my crowd.”
“But you two were close, weren’t you? Wilder and I’d trail Dad around the ranch, while you two climbed fences and built forts out of hay bales.”
He lets out a laugh, short and without any real humor. “More like tryin’ to keep up when she did all that.”
I smirk. “So, Trouble or Storm?”
He yanks his keys out of his pocket. “All one and the same to me.” He starts toward the car. “Kiss Ellie for me, I’m gonna head back to Denver after this.”
I chuckle. “Good luck. But don’t think I’m not askin’ questions next week.”
