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I stared past him, past the dust-covered roadstretching into the horizon. Kaz Chase was a mystery. He grew up in Wildflower Canyon but then moved away for many years. Now, he was back, flush with money, and people weren’t exactly clear how he’d made it.
“You think since he’s from Wildflower Canyon he’s one of us? He ain’t!” Mac warned. He turned to Hunt with a nod. “Pleasure. Tell Elena to call me—I got a job lined up for her in Georgia. Caldwell?—”
“She won’t work forhim. You know that, Mac,” Hunt cut him off. I looked at my friend, who merely shrugged. “Lyle Caldwell doesn’t take care of his horses,” he explained.
“That’s why he needs her,” Mac snapped as he started his car, essentially saying that the conversation was over ‘cause his truck made enough sound to wake up the dead.
When I was preparing to return to Wildflower Canyon, I had wanted Elena gone. Now, I couldn’t imagine this place without her. I had become that boy again—the one addicted to her face, her scent…her. I had known this would happen. Had braced for it. I had expected to regret it, to hate myself for falling under her spell again.
But I didn’t.
Time and distance had stripped away the illusions I’d once held. I had spent years making Elena the villain in my mother’s story—her and Maria both. But the truth was clearer now. It wasn’t them who had destroyed my family; it was Nash. He had made the choices and had lived by them while we had all paid the price.
Now, he was dead.
There was no point in the anger I used to feel for him. He was gone. It was like a broadcasting signal had dropped off.
I’d never have to ignore his calls and messages again.
I’d never have to call Hunt to ask how Nash was doing.
I’d never have to feel guilty for still caring about him when I knew it would crush my mother.
I’d never have to feel guilty for not showing up when he was dying.
I’d wanted to, but Mama had all but had a nervous breakdown. She made me promise I wouldn’t see him. She was scared that he’d turn me against her, like that could happen. So, I’d not shown the old man grace. I’d saved it for the living—the fragile mother who I was a parent to.
“Elena has paperwork ready for you to sign to sell the horses to Rich Halstead,” Hunt told me as we walked back to the ranch house. “And…look, I don’t want to bang on the old drum again, but you gotta ask your woman to treat Elena with some respect.”
I nodded. He wasn’t wrong. “I have.”
“So, why did she come down this morning to the stables and try to rip Elena a new one for not turning in her homework on time?”
I quirked an eyebrow. This I hadn’t heard about. No surprise there. Fiona wouldn’t tell me because she was on thin ice with me and Elena…she’d take it to her fucking grave.
“Talked to Elena like she’s stupid. Said she didn’t have an education, and maybe that’s why she put together a sloppy report.”
I felt rage surge through me. I’d seen the report about the horses. There was nothing sloppy about it at all. In fact, it was professional.
“Elena needs to know how to handle people like Fi,” I retorted. “I can’t run interference for her.” This was also true if unfair.
Hunt shot me a disgusted look. “Well, hell, nice chattin’ with ya. If you ever manage to pull your head outta your ass and find your balls, swing by the bunkhouse.”
“Hunt—”
“It’s all good, bossman. Elena can handleyourFi.She’s just not gonna because she thinks it’s beneath her,” Hunt scoffed. “Your woman thinks she’s fancy or some shit ‘cause she has a degree from a big-time place and is a lawyer—but Elena, she’srealclass. You know what she said when I told her to pop yourFiwhen she mouthed off again?”
I climbed up the stairs to the porch and turned back, waiting for Hunt to finish.
“She said, if you gonna roll in shit with a pig, the swine likes it, and you’re just covered in shit.”
I couldn’t stop my lips from twitching into a small smile. “I’m assuming that Fi is the swine in this equation?”
Hunt just waved with his hat, put it back on his head, and left me staring after him.
Fiona was in the office, pounding on thekeys of her laptop when I got there. She stopped when she saw me. “What the hell is going on with you? And how dare you talk to me?—”
“Did you insult Elena this morning, telling her she doesn’t have an education?”