Page 34 of Wilde Hearts

I nodded. “I’m sure you are.”

“Colt…there’s something I want to talk to you about before you head out to my office.”

“Dad, don’t worry about work.”

“I need to tell you something so you’re prepared for what you see.”

He stopped talking the moment my mother walked into the living room, carrying a tray.

“Let me get that, Mom.”

“It’s fine, Colt. It’s just some tea and fruit for your father to snack on.

Dad’s lip went up into a snarl. “Fruit? I was hoping for some chips and queso.”

Mom set the tray down on the coffee table and shot my father a warning look.

He held up his hands and laughed. “I’m joking, Lynn. Fruit sounds amazing.”

She placed his tea next to him on the side table and then handed him the bowl of fruit.

“Mom, is there anything you need me to do before I head out to the barn?”

“No, sweetheart. I’ve got a roast in the oven, and Vivianne dropped off some of her kale salad.”

“Kale?” my father and I both asked at the same time.

“Yes, kale. It’s good for you, and you will eat it! She makes a wonderful and healthy lemon dressing for it. She even put some craisins in there for you.”

“Craisins?” my father asked. “What in the hell is that?”

I fought to keep from laughing.

“It’s raisins, but made from cranberries.”

His brows raised. “Yum…sounds so good.”

“That’s my cue to leave,” I said, as I kissed my mother on the cheek before heading out the door.

“Colt, that talk?”

“Dad, don’t worry!” I called over my shoulder. “I’ll take care of everything.”

The barn wasn’t far from the house, so I walked down the familiar path. I thought being back home would be more painful, but it was the opposite. I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

As I walked to the barn, a young kid who looked to be about eighteen came walking out.

“Um, hi there?” I said, in more of a question than a statement.

He pulled off his work gloves and reached for my hand. “You must be Colt. Ensley told me you were home.”

I smiled. “I am, and you are?”

“Oh, sorry,” he said with a laugh. “Buck is my name. Ryan hired me to come and look after the animals. He was going on vacation and Mr. Owens was in the hospital and all.”

Confused, I asked, “Ryan?”

“The foreman here on the ranch.”