“Why do you think your old man is so hellbent on her being in the office?” I ease off the gas as we cross a small creek. “Billie.”
Colt digs a cigar out of his pocket. “I think it’s his way of trying to get her to settle down.”
“Why the rush? She’s still young.”
“I hear you. She’s a free spirit, no doubt about that. I’m all for letting her do what she wants. But my parents—you know they’re traditional. Mom and Dad are old souls. Always have been.”
“Mine were too. I think it might’ve been a generational thing?”
“Maybe. I don’t think they understand her. Or maybe they don’t understand why she hasn’t figured out her life yet. Why she hasn’t gotten married, or at least why she doesn’t have a steady guy in her life.”
I nod. “At her age, you were married.”
“Yup. I wouldn’t say I regret marrying Abby so young.” He rolls the cigar between his fingers. “But maybe…I don’t know, shit could’ve gone down a little differently if we’d had more time to grow up and have some fun before settling down.”
“Maybe. Although you did get Dean out of the deal.”
He smiles. “Best thing I ever did. But…”
He takes a long enough pause to make me turn my head. “Should I be asking ifyou’reokay?”
Colt lifts a shoulder. “Just wish he had a dadanda mom around. He misses Abby. You know the grief. Comes and goes. It’s complicated.”
“Right. Yeah.” It’s a lame response, but I’m swimming in…something that doesn’t feel great. Sorrow, I guess?
“Anyway.” He shifts in his seat. “My parents’ intentions are good when it comes to Billie. I think they believe that if they help her get on the right path, her life will fall into place. Yes, she’s a free spirit, but she’s also a romantic. She wants to be in love. Pretty sure she wants a family someday. Mom and Dad know that, and this is their way of helping her support that dream.”
I chew on my lip. “What if it’s the right path but the wrong way of getting her there, though?”
“That’s up to Billie.” Colt shrugs. “What is it that Cash is always saying to Mollie?”
I smile. “Cowgirls can’t be tamed.”
“Right. We gotta trust Billie to figure out what’s right and to advocate for herself too. I’ve nudged Dad a bit. Told himhe needed to give Billie some space. I know she doesn’t love the bookkeeping gig, but she also hasn’t really said much about doing something else, so…”
I swerve to avoid hitting an armadillo that darts onto the path, and the ATV groans. “Critters are out today.”
“They’re always out,” Colt says with another chuckle. “Billie will get her life together. We all do eventually.”
“Do you have your life together? Because I sure as hell don’t.”
He chuckles. “Fuck no.”
“Good. Not ‘good,’ I don’t mean that. But I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling to figure it out.”
I feel Colt’s eyes on me. “Nothing wrong with being a work in progress.”
“Yup. I just…” Running a hand over my face, I sigh. Usually I’d shut the hell up at this point. But today, I can’t seem to quit running my mouth. “I dunno. I’m feeling frustrated with myself right now.”
“Why?”
I’m all mixed up, and it’s hard to tell up from down.“Fuck if I know.”
Colt nods. “Give yourself a little grace, yeah? You been through it, and today is not the day to beat yourself up.”
“Thanks.” My eyes prick. Is the fact that I’m about to cry good? Bad? Both? “You’re a good friend.”
I’m not. How could I be, thinking about your sister like this? Letting her flirt with me even though I know it can’t go anywhere? Am I leading her on? Or am I just trying to be a good friend to her too?
