Page 97 of Someone to Hold

I clear my throat. “I need to take care of the horses. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“I’m coming with you,” Luke says, even though I can see him shivering.

“Sweetie, you need to get warm,” Molly tells him.

I nod. “It’s okay, Luke. You?—”

“I want to take care of Gumdrop.”

It’s funny, because if you’d asked me before this moment, I would have said Laurel was the spitting image of her father and Luke took after Molly. But there’s a stubborn set to his jaw that is all Teddy.

I lift my gaze to hers, and she gives me a slight nod.

“Put on some dry clothes,” I tell the boy. “You’re not going to be any good to Gumdrop if you can’t ride because you catch your death of cold.”

Molly swipes a hand across her face, but an almost smile curves her lips. “My grandpa used to use that saying,” she tells me.

“Mine too.”

“We’ll bring him out in a few minutes.”

I take another step away. “I’ll be in the barn.”

I have to break this connection. It might be invisible, but it’s as strong as any chain binding me to her. Which is not smart for either of us. I just don’t know how to stop it from getting stronger.

The rain is still coming down in sheets, but the wind has died down and there’s no more thunder or lightning, indicating the worst of the storm has passed. I gather dry towels and fresh hay, then start rubbing down Fancy with long, steady strokes to get the rain and sweat off her coat. Her breathing has settled, but she’s still damp and needs attention.It means something to me that Luke wants to be responsible for Gumdrop after everything he’s been through today and tonight.

The three of them enter the barn a few minutes later, and Luke dries and brushes Gumdrop the way I taught him. Molly stays at his side, but Laurel comes into Fancy’s stall with me. When we’re finished, the twins help me put the suppliesaway. They work quietly, like they understand this is part of releasing the trauma hold this day has on all of us.

“Okay.” I nod. “I’ll see you?—”

“Will you read us a bedtime story?” Laurel asks.

I feel my jaw go slack.

“Honey, Chase has to be exhausted,” Molly says with a smile that trembles at the corners.

“Please,” Laurel says, with those big brown eyes.

“Charlotte’s Web,” Luke says.

And there you have it. I’m a fucking goner.

“You guys go to the house and get your jammies on, brush your teeth, whatever else your mom tells you to do. I’ll change into dry clothes and be over in a few minutes.”

They nod like there was never any doubt I’d say yes.

Molly mouths, “thank you,” before taking their hands.

I give Fancy and Gumdrop another half scoop of oats each because they’ve more than earned it, and then head to the Airstream. Princess is on the bed in her usual spot, clearly not bothered by thunder, lightning, or the fact that her owner has fallen head over heels in love with a woman who might never belong to him.

“Tell me it’s going to be alright, Princess.”

She scratches an ear then heads for the litter box.

Great. I ask my cat for advice, and she goes to take a shit. That sends a clear message.

I change into a pair of loose-fitting athletic pants and a sweatshirt, grab a different rain jacket than the one I wrapped Luke in and shove my arms into it, then push my feet into my Muck boots.