Page 12 of Saving the Rain
It’s enough to make me shudder, yet this woman isn’t phased by any of it. Just takes it off my hands like the angel she is. Tessa Diaz is the type of person who can turn her hand to anything and make it successful, I’m sure of it. Pretty sure that’s why she and Beau have worked so well together for as long as they have. They might besiblings, but without question support each other and operate as a rock-solid unit... a team.
“So, when were you gonna tell me?” She swivels in her chair, scoots across the floorboards, and props her slippers up on the stool beside her desk. An immediate flood of relief settles on her face at having her feet elevated.
My brain is already composing a text to Beau to make sure he’s underway with those plans to get in extra help, and ensure she’s not overdoing it while running around the ranch unsupervised.
“And what might that be?” I scratch at my beard. My pulse does a stupid thing where it thuds a little harder, because this is a conversation I’ve been avoiding over the past week... well, until now, I’m guessing.
Her grin broadens. “Kayce is your brother? C’mon, I know you’re a man of few words and all, but for the love of rodeo, how could you not tell me?” She feigns a pout and holds both hands over her heart. “I thought you said I was your favorite person on this ranch.”
“You’re basically theonlyperson on this ranch.” My palm wraps around the back of my neck.
“Don’t go insinuating you prefer the horses to me. I know they’re your only soft spot, but at least let me live in blissful ignorance.” She teases, and I let out a sigh.
Tessa drops her palms to rest over the swell of her stomach, evident through the dress she’s wearing.
“So . . . you guys are family?”
“Stepbrothers.” I bite out.
Her lips twist. “You never mentioned you knew each other.”
“I didn’t know.” Shifting my weight, I’m already trying to figure out how to exit this conversation as quickly as possible. “Didn’t know he lived here in Crimson Ridge, I mean.”
“Oh?”
Her expression says it all. She’s so damn close with Beau; I’m certain it’s impossible for a family like theirs to understand all the ways I’ve tried to outrun my own.
Clearing my throat, I shove my hands in my pockets. “Look, we ain’t close. Kayce and I? We’re too different. We just nevergot on.” Shooting a firm glance at Tessa, I add. “But I won’t let that affect how things run here, I can promise you.”
She cocks her head to one side and gives me a thoughtful look. “Well, maybe things will be different now? Kayce really seems to have straightened himself out. I don’t know firsthand or anything, but I heard he went through a rough patch. Now? He’s a doll with the guests; they adore him as a guide, and he’s been doing well since he cleaned himself up.”
I sniff. “Good for him.” Yeah, I’m about ready to be done with this conversation.
Tessa’s eyes shine a little brighter as she smiles. “Maybe you two might have more in common now you’re older? Wiser and more mellow and all that shit.”
“Sure.” If there’s one thing I know about Kayce Wilder, it’s that he might have changed on the outside, but I know the truth of him. There’s no hiding what still lies beneath the surface, the reality behind that golden boy smile. “Anyway, I better get back out there.” Jerking my head in the direction of the door, my exit is made that much easier when Tessa’s phone rings again.
“Ok. Bye, grump.” She laughs and, before she picks up the phone, calls after me. “Can you send Storm over here once he’s finished up? I’m gonna pull the exhausted pregnant woman card. Hauling this bowling ball over to the barn today sounds way too tiring.”
“Will do.”
An uncomfortable feeling sits squarely on my chest. Walking away, Tessa’s words are still ringing in my ears about Kayce and how she thinks he’s sorted his life out. One thing I wasn’t prepared for was how goddamn frequently the guy turns up.
This time of year is a boon for fall photographers, tourists, and visitors to Sunset Skies Ranch in general, which means that the demand for guided horse treks and trail rides is in peak swing. So it feels like every damn time I turn around, his black truck is rolling up outside the barn. Each day, while I’m trying to mind my business and get work done, he’s there somewhere, laughing and smiling.
The boy with the blue eyes, blond head of hair, and boundlesscharm.
Of course, it’s all for show. Inside, he’s scared, and he’s never been able to confront that part of himself, so he conceals it. Always damn well hiding away and expecting everyone around him to pick up the pieces.
It’s easy enough to be busy, to keep my head down and focus on what I gotta do, but it pisses me off that we’ve been obliged to see so much of each other.
I take a few deep inhales, feeling the mountain air expand my lungs. A cool freshness laden with the added moisture that fall brings. It’s one of those days when everything glistens with little pearls of water droplets, and low-lying mist shrouds the ranch like a shawl.
This is the kind of weather that swirls and hangs about, nipping at your heels. An ever-present reminder that winter is about to purse her lips and start blowing those first icy kisses our way any time she pleases.
Outside the barn, the Devil’s Peak Farriers’ truck is parked up, and it’s easy to spot where Stôrmand Lane is currently working. A shower of orange sparks burst into the air above his head, and his welding mask reflects the red-hot glow of metal as he works.
He’s got the usual pulse of thrumming music in the background, and one of the horses is hitched on the rail with a bag of feed hanging beside their head. As I get closer, I see a familiar spiked mane of white hair flash behind him.