Page 54 of One Summer Day (Prosperity Ranch 1)

His father took off his cowboy hat and turned it in his hands, his gaze dropped.

Holt met Macie’s gaze across the table, but he had no answers, either.

“A short time ago, I received the list of rodeo entrants,” Rex said.

Ah. Holt’s stomach went hollow, and he rubbed a hand down his face.

Rex lifted his gaze. “You knew about this, didn’t you?” he said to Holt. “For how long?”

“About a week now,” Holt said. “Knox called me. Said he wanted it to be a surprise.”

Rex exhaled, then tossed his hat on the table. “It sure was a surprise seeing his name on that list.”

Macie hadn’t said a word, and Holt didn’t blame her. The air in the kitchen was thick with tension, but for different reasons for each person.

“What else did he say?” Rex asked.

Holt wasn’t going to divulge what his brother had said about winning Macie back, so he said, “Says he wants to make amends.” He left it at that, without going into greater detail.

After a moment, Rex stood from the chair, picked up his hat, and strode out of the kitchen.

Holt closed his eyes for a second. Knox’s return wasn’t going to be easy on anyone. When he felt Macie’s hands on his shoulders after she crossed behind him, he placed his hands over hers and squeezed. He could only wish, only hope, that Knox’s appearance wouldn’t change what Holt had been building with Macie.