Page 19 of Wrangled

Of course she knew. “I see,” I managed to squeeze out. “Not sure why you felt the need to call.”

“Robert Thorston, just because you didn’t come out and tell anyone officially, that didn’t mean Kevin wasn’t the closest thing to a brother-in-law I’m likely to have.”

Oh shit.First Zeeb, now Diana.

I retreated into humor. “I didn’tcome out? I see what you did there.” Except I couldn’t joke with her. “It… It wasn’t like that with us.”

“Then why don’t you tell me how it was? Lord knows, it’s about time.” Another pause. “If it helps, I’m not as oblivious as you might think. Because to my reckoning, you and he were getting it on for maybe… thirteen years?”

“‘Getting it on’? You’ve been hanging out with those young things who work at your place. And for your information… fifteen years. You’re not as observant as you think you are.” I managed to sound relaxed when inside, I was anything but.

Maybe I’d nailed it earlier. Maybe everyonedidknow.

“Well shit. Looks like you were better at keeping secrets than I thought.” She lapsed into silence for a moment. I was about to speak when she cleared her throat. “So… howwastoday?”

There was no getting away from it.

“I went for my usual morning ride, and ended up down by the creek—at the cabin.”

“Oh Rob.” Her voice cracked.

“You stop that, right this second, you hear? You arenotgonna start crying.” I could stand a lot of things, but my sister crying was not one of them.

There was a smothered gasp.

“Now, let me finish. Zeeb turned up and gave me shit. I mean, he was talking about me and Kevin, about how I needed to move on…”

“Tell me you didn’t fire his ass.” She sounded more in control of herself.

“I didn’t.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. And I gotta say, I have a newfound respect for that man. Good for him.” Yeah, there was the Diana I knew and loved.

I’d clearly felt the same way. “Maybe him bringing it out into the open, talking about it… Maybe that was the catalyst. Maybe that’s whywe’retalking now.”

Why I hadn’t hung up.

“Then I’m glad.”

“But you wanna know whatreallyburns me? Why say it now? How come no one said a goddamn word forfive years?”

Diana coughed. “Speaking for myself? I felt guilty about that. I had my own ranch to run, my own life… And I figured you’d talk about it when you were ready. Except you never did. And here we are. I got tired of waiting, figured you to be healed by now. As for the rest of them? I can hazard a guess why they kept their mouths shut.”

“Zeeb said it was out of respect.”

“Possibly, and maybe because… You’re theboss? They respect you, they like you, but maybe they’re more than a little scared of you? Being honest, I knew you weren’t ready to talk about it, and it killed me to see you suffering.”

“But you still called.” Part of me was relieved to have broached the subject at last.

“Maybe an alarm went off in my head. Maybe it said,it’s time.” Another pause. “So talk to me.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing—talking?” I knew I was being facetious.

I also knew Diana wasn’t likely to let it go that easily.

“Hell no, we’ve barely touched the surface. Think of me as your therapist.”

I laughed. “I had no idea you’d taken up a second career.”