“I’m glad to be home,” I admit, tipping my chin as I work the conditioner into the saddle, sliding the rag around the sides, avoiding the suede seat. “I planned on comin’ back eventually and being in pain for two years has a way of making you wish you had the comforts of home.”
“How is your shoulder feeling?” Cash asks me, his eyes trailing to my joint.
Instinctively, I roll it, feeling the familiar stiffness inside, although after a few seconds, it moves with ease. “It’s okay.”
I would be lying if I said it didn’t bother me at all, but without the repetitive moments of pitching, it’s been feeling much better than it did while I was still playing baseball.
Cash slowly nods. “Well, just don’t overdo it here on the ranch,” he says softly, immediately shrugging off the emotion. “We can use your help, but you’re no good without a working shoulder.”
I snort, shaking my head and rolling my eyes. “You sound like Cade now.”
Although the three of us are close, we couldn’t be more different than one another.
“He didn’t know you were comin’ back, did he?”
I shake my head at my younger brother. “No. I got everything squared away three days ago and flew in this morning and figured I would surprise y’all. I shipped most of my stuff and left all the furniture in my house while I rent it out, so there wasn't much to come now.”
Cash’s face lights up. “Does that mean you’re back for good?”
I swallow, a slow smile creeping across my lips. There’s a twinge of sadness lingering in my chest, knowing that my career in baseball is officially over. But there’s also a sense of relief. Contentment. This is where I belong now, with my family.
“It does.”
“Hell yeah,” Cash says, grinning back at me. “Cade and I were planning on goin’ to the Silverspur Tavern for dinner and drinks tonight. Let's celebrate you being home.”
“I dunno if I really feel like goin’ out tonight,” I admit as I finish cleaning the saddle and put it back on the rack on the wall. Cash is done with the bridle and he gets up to hang that up too. “I don’t think we really need to celebrate.”
“Alright, fine,” Cash agrees, nodding his chin. “At least come get dinner with your brothers. Cade will want you to come.”
“What about me?”
I glance over my shoulder to the door at the sound of his voice. “Hey!”
Cade steps into the tack room, his broody face cracking into a smile as he walks across the room and pulls me in for a hug. “Cole, what the hell are you doin’ here?”
“He’s back for good,” Cash says to him as he walks over to the sink to clean out the bucket we used.
“No way,” Cade draws as we break apart. “You aren’t gonna try and get another season out of your shoulder?”
“Nope,” I shake my head at him. “I had a good run, but this is where I’m supposed to be now.”
“Well, this is your home,” he reminds me, dipping his chin. “Where did Cash say I’d want you to come?”
“To get dinner tonight,” Cash cuts in, stepping up to the two of us.
Cade looks at Cash and back at me. “Oh yeah,” he agrees, nodding eagerly. “We’re all back together again.”
“Just like old times,” Cash says.
I look back and forth between my two brothers, warmth settling in my chest. “Just like old times,” I repeat. The three of us were so close growing up. When I moved away, that connection wasn’t severed, but it was strained. Being back here with them, where I can physically help, it feels a hell of a lot better than the separation or the guilt of being away.
“So, does this mean you’re gonna come with us?” Cash questions me.
Cade raises an eyebrow, waiting for a response.
I let out an exaggerated sigh, but a smile cracks my face. “Yes, I’ll come.”
Cash lets out a whistle, wrapping both arms around the tops of Cade and my shoulders, pulling us in with him. “The Wild brothers are back together, baby.”
