Page 15 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Colt

T he whole drive with my dad, I was trying to figure out what to do with the situation I was in.

I tried to talk to him, but I couldn’t find the words.

He spoke a little to me, only to give me orders to grab this and load that.

I didn’t mind. It was the only thing keeping my mind from racing with all the thoughts.

I was dreading seeing Daisy when we got back because I knew she would want to talk, and I wasn’t ready.

* * *

When we got back to the ranch, I got out and started helping my dad unload everything from the truck bed.

“Take that box and bag to the barn and put that stuff away.”

“Right on it.” I heard hooves approaching us, and I knew it could only be one thing.

I didn’t look up, though, keeping my mind on the task at hand.

I carried everything into the barn, my dad going toward the fence.

I saw Daisy hopping off Domino. She looked stunning on the horse.

She didn’t notice me, and I was kind of hoping she wouldn’t.

It would make this a lot easier for me because I wasn’t yet ready to make any decision.

“Hey, Colt. How was the trip?”

I turned to give her a quick smile, then got back to work.

“It was good. Just got what we needed.” I was hoping I could cut the conversation short and Daisy would take the hint.

“I saw you and your dad talking when I got back from riding Domino. You two seemed like you had a good time. Did you find anything interesting in town?” She placed her hand against my back.

It felt so nice to feel her touch again, but I knew it was only making things harder.

I moved my body so her hand would leave me.

“Yeah, just the usual stuff. Just a usual trip.” I avoided making eye contact with her, trying to make it easier.

“Colt, is everything okay? You seem…different. Did you and your dad get into a disagreement while you were in town or something? If you did, you can tell me. You can talk to me about it, whatever it is.” I appreciate herwanting to be there for me.

It reminded me of when we were kids. But this was not the right time.

This was not what I needed right now. I needed some time and space to be with my thoughts and think this all through.

I finally looked at her, unsure of what to say or do.

“I’m fine, Daisy. Just tired, I guess.”

“You know you can talk to me, right? We always used to talk to each other about everything. If something is bothering you…” She was right.

As kids, we would talk for hours about anything and everything.

But this was not just a carefree day, and we are not kids with our little problems. We are adults now with grown-up problems.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine. Just busy. There’s a lot to get done today.

” I had no idea what she was thinking, but I could only imagine how she was feeling right now.

I was cutting her short, and after the night we had, I’m sure she felt things were off.

I didn’t want this, but what else could I do without talking to my dad?

“Colt, I’m just…worried. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t tell me things or need to hide stuff from me.

I want to be here for you. After last night, I thought there was something between us.

” I didn’t respond and she kept talking.

I could tell she was probably scared. “Was it only a one-time thing? Was it just a way for you to get a little action since apparently you don’t get much?

If you were just using me, then at least be man enough to tell me.

” I couldn’t believe those words. There was no way she could really believe that, could she?

“You know dang well that I’m not like that.”

“Then tell me the truth.” I sighed, knowing I had to come clean. Seeing her like this was breaking my heart and the last thing I ever want to do is hurt her or cause her any pain.

“Will you please just let this go? I don’t want my dad to see us talking like this.” I hoped the truth was better for her than letting her mind wander.

“Like what? We’re just having a conversation.” I wanted her to keep her voice down. The last thing I needed was for my dad to hear any of this or even catch a glimpse of this argument. I had no idea what he would say or do. I wasn't ready for that discussion.

“Yeah but if he saw this, right now, he would be able to see that this isn’t a friendly conversation. He would know something’s up, and I’m not ready to deal with that. I still haven’t figured out what to say to him…how to explain this.”

“Explain? Can’t you just tell him that we’re seeing each other?” If only it were that simple. I could only wish.

“You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”

“You’re right. I don’t understand. I don’t understand because you won’t tell me anything. Colt, you must know that I’m just worried about you.” She always did care so much about me. I loved that side of her.

“I know, Daisy.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“So? Are you going to tell me?” I had to come clean with her. I only hoped it didn't hurt her.

“When my dad told me he agreed with John to let you stay here, he made me promise him something.”

“Okay?”

“He told me you were here to learn hard work.”

“I’m so sick of hearing that.”

“Will you let me finish? He told me that he was doing this as a favor to your father, one that he owed him. I told him he had nothing to worry about.”

“That still doesn’t explain this…”

“He told me to leave you be. He told me that I was to leave you alone…I wasn’t supposed to let anything happen between us.

This was supposed to be strictly business.

” Maybe he remembered how close we were askids, and he was afraid now that we were adults something would happen?

I wasn't sure why he did what he did, but that was besides the point.

“So, let me get this straight. Your dad basically told you to keep your hands off me? Is that it?” I nodded.

“Daisy…” I reached out to touch her, just wanting to wrap her in my arms, then stopped myself.

“Tell me one more thing. Did you agree?” I nodded, and I knew it was hurting her. I could see it in her eyes.

“Daisy, I’m sorry.”

“Are you sorry that your dad told you to do that, although he had no right to? Are you sorry that you agreed? Or are you sorry that you asked me out last night and things ended up getting heated between us?” I didn’t answer.

I didn’t know what to say. I looked at the ground but caught a quick peek long enough to see tears forming in Daisy’s eyes.

I had only seen Daisy cry on one occasion- her mom’s funeral.

I knew at that moment that I had not only broken a promise to my dad, but also to her.

? ? ?

“Colt?”

“Daisy?”

“You know how much you mean to me, don’t you? We’ve been friends for fifteen years.”

“Yeah, it’s been a long fifteen years of me putting up with that sass of yours.

I guess my first two years of life were to prepare me, but there’s no way anyone could ever be that prepared.

” She punched my shoulder and we both laughed.

“No, but... seriously, Daisy. I’m glad you’ve stuck around all these years.

” She smiled, and it nearly took my breath away.

Every dang time she smiled, it made me feel a way I had never felt before.

I never knew seeing someone else happy could bring myself so much happiness at the same time.

“It hasn’t always been easy.” We laughed again. We stayed in this constant state, and it made me always want to be around her. Any time she was at the ranch was a good time.

“Hey. You know I always got your back, don’t you?

“Always.”

“No matter what happens, I’ll never hurt you, Daisy.”

“I know.”

? ? ?

I leaned against the barn door, staring blankly out at the fields.

My heart was so heavy. I could still hear Daisy’s words and the look on her face when I told her the truth.

How could a night so perfect and with so much heat lead to a morning like this?

Now, everything was just overshadowed by the weight of my promise to my dad.

I ran my fingers through my hair. Why did I let it go that far?

Why didn’t I just tell her last night before all of this happened?

I was the one who asked her to go to the bar, so this was all on me.

I promised I would keep all this as strictly business, and now my mind was occupied with the thoughts of Daisy and me as kids and the way I felt about her then.

But after last night, the feelings I had for her as a kid couldn’t compare.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I was hoping I would see Daisy’s name. Instead, it was a weather notification. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I was never supposed to hurt her. Her leaving was hard enough on me, but I still never wanted her to feel the same pain I felt then. I can’t do this.

I knew I wanted to be with Daisy, but what if we continue with things like last night, and once summer ends, she decides to go back to the city? She could very well leave here again. She had a life in the city. She had a job. Why would she just leave that? Was that a risk I was willing to take?

I felt torn between two worlds- my heart yearning for one of the most amazing people I have ever known and my loyalty to my father pulling me back to reality.