Page 63 of Only With Me

“My little brother from the BBBS program,” Waylon explains.

“Oh, I didn’t know you did that. How sweet.”

Then I shift my gaze back to Bentley. “I’m Harlow. Nice to meet you.”

“You too. Is that your horse?” He nods behind me.

Grinning, I bring her next to me. “Yep. Her name is Piper. She’s my show horse. Do you have one?”

“No.” He frowns. “But Waylon’s teachin’ me how to ride and rope, so maybe someday.”

“Wow, that’s awesome. Sounds like you’re doing well.”

“He is.” Waylon pats his shoulder and looks at him with pride. “He’ll be learnin’ to bull ride in no time.”

My brows rise, impressed. “You wanna be a bull rider?”

“Undecided,” Bentley confirms. “My mom would probably kill me first.”

I chuckle. “It’s a dangerous sport.”

“Yeah, but he’s tough. Ain’t ya?” Waylon taunts, giving him a little push.

I can’t help smiling at them. I would’ve never guessed Waylon volunteered for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, but I’m not surprised either. He seems good with him, too.

“It was nice meetin’ ya. I’m gonna lunge Piper before our ride and then do some jumpin’ exercises.”

“You do horse jumpin’?” Bentley asks curiously.

“Yep, we start competin’ again in the spring.”

“That’s so cool. Could I stay and watch you?”

“Of course,” I say at the same time Waylon says, “We shouldn’t bother her.”

“It’s no trouble. I’d love an audience. It helps me practice for the real thing.”

Bentley’s face splits in half. “Cool.”

“I’ll be back in an hour.”

Glancing at Waylon, he looks as comfortable as an ice cube on a hot day.

When he catches me staring at him, he sucks in his lips.

“See ya then,” he finally says.

Piper and I head back the way we came and once I get her into the corral, she starts lunging. While I stand in the center as she circles around me, my mind flicks back to Waylon and how tense he seemed around me. We spoke briefly in the ER waiting room but only for a few minutes. We were both dealing with family emergencies.

I should’ve asked how his brother was doing. I didn’t ask Noah for details, but she mentioned he had a reaction to taking ketamine and was able to go home the following day.

Remembering what Delilah’s told me in the past, this isn’t Wilder’s first medical scare.

After we’re done in the corral, Piper and I take a short ride around the retreat. Luckily, it’s not crowded, but there’s something peaceful about it—the chill in the air, the beautiful mountain views, and the lingering silence.

There aren’t many moments like this anymore.

When we return, Noah’s in the training center, waiting for me. She beams and greets Piper.