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I tugged his boots off, covered him with a blanket and turned out the living room lights.

Savanna and I sat in the kitchen and drank a couple of beers while we waited for Billy to come back from the station.

Once Billy was in and the doors were locked, we went to bed. Middle of the night and there wouldn’t be more than a couple of hours to sleep before morning.

Savanna had already decided she was sleeping over.

Chapter Eighteen

Thursday, June 7th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

I woke up next to Savanna’s warm body and had a good feeling about her. It could be a good thing and it had a lasting feel to it.

Now that I had Harlan and Tammy to raise, I had to settle down and make a home for them. Thanks to Uncle Carson, I had this ranch and enough money to support a family of my own.

After almost losing Harlan only hours before, I’d made up my mind to give my kids some stability. Jack might be pissed at me and Savanna for a long time, but he’d have to get used to it.

Being with me was what Savanna wanted and she was absolutely positive she couldn’t have a life with Jack Johnson and his jealous ways.

I rolled over, pulled her naked body into my arms, and kissed her. “I’ve got to get up.”

“Wish you didn’t.”

“Weekend coming soon.”

Max and Sarge jumped up off their beds and ran to the bedroom door. I let them out into the hallway, and they ran for the back door. I let them out the woodshed door, watched them run off as I inhaled a lungful of warm Montana air. Been a long time coming but summer finally showed up.

I walked through the house to the front room where Harlan was sound asleep. Gazing down at his pale face, I worried that he might feel sick and dizzy today. No way he could go with me to the station.

Savanna was dressed and rinsing out the carafe in the sink before making a fresh pot. “Do you think he should be checked out at the hospital, Travis?”

“Wouldn’t hurt, to be sure. Let’s see how he feels when he wakes up. I should’ve taken him last night. So much was happening, I was a little freaked.”

“You weren’t the only one. I couldn’t believe Hannah Hargrove would do something as horrible as that.”

I flopped down on one of the kitchen chairs and sighed. “We have to go over there and do her chores this morning. Those horses have to be taken care of until the sanctuary people come to retrieve them.”

“Next of kin for Hannah?”

“Yeah, there’s that. I didn’t forget about the notification. Molly will find out who to contact when I get to the station.”

“I’ll make breakfast and then I have to get to the store.”

“If you’re in a hurry, I can cook breakfast for me and Billy.”

“I’ll help with the bookings this morning,” said Billy. “There’s going to be a lot of work and reports.”

Harlan moaned and that made me get off my ass and move to the living room to see what was going on. He struggled to sit up and I leaned down and lifted him. Between the two of us, we got him to his feet.

“Bathroom?”

“Gonna puke.”

“Come on. I’ll get you there.” I half carried him down the hall and left him on his own in the bathroom.

“Ted can help with the bookings, Billy. I want you here with Harlan.”