His head shake is a slow thing. “Stable won’t ever be enough for you, Oak.”
“No?”
“No,” he says. “You need fireworks.”
My head rocks back at his casually confident assessment. “Not everyone needs fireworks when it comes to a romantic partnership.”
“I’m not talking about everyone,” he replies, swaying gently in the saddle. “I’m talking aboutyou. You’re too passionate to settle for stable, and you shouldn’t have to. You need someone who’s going to light the fuse you have ready and waiting. Someone who’s going to make you burn.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
“I think burning is an indication of a medical problem,” I reply hoarsely.
Lawson chuffs, the sound amused.
Wendy looks pensive.
“What is it, Wen?” I ask.
Her gaze skips to her dad before she faces forward again. “Just wondering.”
“About burning? If something burns, go see a doctor.”
She shakes her head, and Lawson chuckles.
“Speaking of,” I say slowly, “you know you can always talk to us about…stuff, right? Like…if there’s ever anything you’re unsure of or need advice about?”
Wendy looks over her shoulder again, her eyes moving from me to her dad slowly. “Is he talking about sex?”
Lawson snorts. “I think so.”
She glances my way. “My parents already gave me the sex talk. You know, while you were gone.”
“Ouch,” I deadpan. “Aiming right for the heart, huh?”
Her lips twist into a proud smirk.
Christ, when did Wendy Darling go and grow up?
The three of us ride all the way to the base of the mountains before stopping for lunch. It’s a warm day, but the shade from the trees keeps us cool enough as we enjoy the sandwiches Lawson made before we left. Plus some leftover blueberry crisp Ash baked the other day.
Wendy talks a bit about her friends from school and her worry over what will happen once they all graduate. Whether or not they’ll stay close.
I don’t say it, but the truth is there are a lot of friends we lose throughout our lifetime. Not every person we meet is meant to stick with us. Some friendships only last a season in the grand scheme of time.
But the people who stick? Well, there’s a reason for it.
I’d know. Mine is sitting right next to me.
We get back in the saddle after lunch, riding leisurely through the woods along a different trail for a change of scenery. Lawson takes up the helm this time, Wendy beside me. It’s startling to see how much she’s changed in three years. From a gangly teen to, well, still a teen. But so much more mature than she was when I left.
She looks a lot like Laura. Always has. Her hair is a wavy brown. Her facial features are more petite than Lawson’s, with a small chin and eyes more hazel than his whiskey. The stubborn pride in those eyes, however, is certainly a Darling trait.
When we arrive back at the stables, it’s late afternoon. We take care of the horses, brushing them down, making sure they have plenty of water, and leaving them in the shade of the barn. Wendy gives both me and her dad a hug before getting in her car to head home. To Laura’s.
Lawson watches her go with an expression that causes my gut to pinch.
He stays at the ranch to wash up as I head home, although the plan is for him to join me once he’s done. My pulse doesn’t settle, not in all the time it takes to arrive home and shower off the day. Not even as I wait for Lawson to show.
