Page 51 of Wilde Hearts

“Once again, I’ll kindly ask you to please not call me that, Colt.”

Before I could say another word, Emeline cleared her throat. I hadn’t even noticed she had been standing there. My parents had wandered off, and I quickly looked around to see where they were. I was worried my father might be doing too much.

“Colt, it’s so good to see you!” Emeline said, hugging me tightly before stepping back. She looked just as beautiful as her sister and mother, in a form-fitting, silver-and-black gown. It was similar to the style Ensley wore.

Ensley reached for her sister and drew her back. “Why are you hugging him?”

Emeline looked confused. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because he’s an asshole who left without a word ten years ago.”

Emeline gave her an incredulous look. “Do you really think this is the place to act like that?”

“Act like what?”

Leaning closer to her sister, Emeline said in a low voice, “I get that you were hurt. That you still are. But Colt has been one of our biggest donors for the summer camps for years, Ensley. I’m not going to ignore his generosity because of something that happened between the two of you.”

Ensley’s eyes snapped back to me.

Emeline turned to face me once again. “I just wanted to swing by to personally thank you, Colt. Not only for the donations over the years, but for the saddles two years back.”

“He was the anonymous donor who bought them?” Ensley asked, shock clear in her voice.

“I told everyone they were from an anonymous donor at Colt’s request, but yes, he was.”

It was starting to get uncomfortable with Emeline’s praise and Ensley’s glare. I could actually feel my cheeks heating. “You’re very welcome, Emeline, and I’m glad I was able to help. But I should track down my parents. I don’t want my father to overdo it.”

“How’s he doing?” Emeline asked.

“Much better. Thank you for asking.”

She squeezed my arm. “I’m so glad to hear that, Colt. I won’t keep you. I just wanted to personally thank you.”

Smiling tightly, I said, “It was my pleasure.”

I took a step back, nodding at both sisters. “If you’ll excuse me.”

When I turned and walked away, I swore I could feel the heat of Ensley’s gaze on my back.

Ensley

My head was spinning as I watched Colt walk away from us. Whirling on my sister, I demanded, “Why didn’t you tell me it was Colt who’d bought all those saddles?”

“He asked me not to tell anyone. Probably because he didn’t want what just happened to happen.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “What just happened?”

“You accused him of being here to win favors with our family.”

I huffed.

“Listen, I get why you feel the way you do, Ensley, but have you spoken to him about why he left in the first place?”

Even though I’d already decided to talk to Colt, I still said, “It’s not going to change anything.”

My younger sister sighed. “Then maybe it’s time to let it go, if you’re not willing to let him explain.”

“Why are you taking his side?”