“Thanks for not dying, Dad.”
Maybe we are getting back to cordiality. “You’re welcome, Cupcake.”
She smiles, just a little. That glimmer of hope fills me up more than I can admit. I hate when things are strained between us. Sadie and I have always been close. We are a lot alike. Both strong-willed but always wanting to do right by the world. She has this insatiable curiosity to learn, do good things, and make a difference. Her dreams change, like all kids her age, but every time we talk about a future, it’s doing something bigger for humanity.
Just like her momma wanted.
Emmy Jo had dreams that were far bigger than this town. She wanted to move away and save lives, but then she fell in love with me and realized that our world was big enough if we had each other.
Of course, I wanted more for her. I had plans to give her everything she wanted, but life is funny that way. You take enough time, and it might just take you before you’ve spent it.
“Sadie?” I call her name as she’s at the door.
“Yeah?”
“Can we do something fun tonight?”
Her eyes brighten, and she nods. “I’d like that.”
“How about a campfire and a movie?”
“Can I pick the movie?”
“Sure.”
It’s the least I can do. I’m pretty sure if I asked her to do this two days ago, the answer would’ve been no, that she needed to bathe her chickens or some shit. If this is what it takes to get back to her not hating me, then I’ll let her pick what we watch.
Her grin tells me I’m going to regret this. “Perfect. It’s a date.” She turns, heads out, and then stops. “Oh, and Dad?”
“Hmm?”
“We’re going to discuss Cloud and riding. I have points to make.”
Sometimes I wish she were a little less like me, but at the same time, I respect her desire to prove me wrong, even if it’s not going to happen.
“I expect no less.”
Minutes later, I head out to the barn where her horse is held, and he immediately starts his bullshit. His ears tuck back, and he’s tossing his head and stepping around the stall. “Easy, boy.”
Cloud doesn’t settle—he never does around me. He’s been wild and unpredictable since the accident. Until I can see any sign that he’s able to control himself, I’m not letting my daughter near him.
“Checking on Cloud?” my sister Fallon, asks as she’s putting a bridle on the rack.
“If you want to call it that.”
“I fed him early, walked him a bit too. He needs the exercise. Since you were sleeping in after your night on the town, we all pitched in. Like good sisters.”
Fallon helps with training and exercise for the horses. She’s got a great eye for a horse’s temperament and what we should consider when we go to sell them. One of the horses she trained has won a few rodeos for barrel racing, which she loves to do herself.
“Yes, you’re so great. I do appreciate the help.”
“Must’ve been a wild night.”
Hardly. It just was an unsettling one, which seems to be my new life experience thanks to the daughter of my sworn enemy.
There was a moment between us. One where I thought about pulling Lark to me, cupping those apple cheeks and tasting her mouth. I was close. So fucking close to making a stupid mistake.
All night I replayed it, the look in her eyes, the way she was staring at me. It would’ve been the worst thing I could’ve done. She was drunk. I was not. It would’ve been wrong on every level.
