West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(33)

She’s standing between us, like two storm clouds that are about to collide. I shouldn’t be here anyway. So I clear my throat, and she looks to me. “I’m going to head home. Good night.”

And with that, I turn, walking back down the driveway. Regret and anger fill me with each step as I get farther from her.

I should’ve kissed her.

I shouldn’t want to kiss her.

Tomorrow I’ll be grateful I didn’t do it, and I’m going to keep far away from Lark Gatlin.

Hopefully.









Chapter 11





Tristan




Iwake up to the feeling of someone watching me.

My eyes fly open, and Sadie is standing there, blue eyes staring at me. “Are you dead?”

I flinch and then rub my eyes as my heart goes back to normal after being woken like that. “Not sure.”

My head is a mess. I’m freaking exhausted.

Instead of coming home after dropping Lark off and falling asleep, I was up.

All damn night.

Tossing and turning, grabbing my phone, only to stop myself from texting her to make sure there wasn’t a blowup in her house. Then remembering it’s not my problem or place. She and I aren’t a thing, and we’ll never be a thing either. I’m supposed to be forgetting about her and moving on.

I just couldn’t get my brain to fall in line.

“You look dead.”

“Dead people usually don’t talk,” I remind her.

She shrugs. “So you’re alive. Goodie.”

I’m not really sure she means that, but my brain isn’t exactly awake. I need coffee. An entire pot of it.

“What time is it?” I ask, rolling over to reach for my phone.

“Ten.”

“Ten?” I ask, jerking upright in surprise.

“That’s why I thought you were dead.”

Yeah, I haven’t slept in past six since…well, ever. I’ve been up before the sun for as long as I can remember, taking care of the animals, getting chores done before I went to school. Sleeping in was a luxury I never had.

Immediately, I’m pushing out of bed.

“I fed the horses,” Sadie tells me. “Aunt Harper took care of the goats. Aunt Fallon said since you’re a slacker, she would work on the hayloft. Aunt Roni is doing something with numbers and a plan—and Grandad…well, he and I are working on our own project. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t dead.”

“Thanks for that,” I say to my daughter who, again, I’m not sure is glad I’ve lived another day.

“Thanks for not dying, Dad.”

Maybe we are getting back to cordiality. “You’re welcome, Cupcake.”

She smiles, just a little. That glimmer of hope fills me up more than I can admit. I hate when things are strained between us. Sadie and I have always been close. We are a lot alike. Both strong-willed but always wanting to do right by the world. She has this insatiable curiosity to learn, do good things, and make a difference. Her dreams change, like all kids her age, but every time we talk about a future, it’s doing something bigger for humanity.

Just like her momma wanted.

Emmy Jo had dreams that were far bigger than this town. She wanted to move away and save lives, but then she fell in love with me and realized that our world was big enough if we had each other.

Of course, I wanted more for her. I had plans to give her everything she wanted, but life is funny that way. You take enough time, and it might just take you before you’ve spent it.

“Sadie?” I call her name as she’s at the door.

“Yeah?”

“Can we do something fun tonight?”

Her eyes brighten, and she nods. “I’d like that.”

“How about a campfire and a movie?”

“Can I pick the movie?”

“Sure.”

It’s the least I can do. I’m pretty sure if I asked her to do this two days ago, the answer would’ve been no, that she needed to bathe her chickens or some shit. If this is what it takes to get back to her not hating me, then I’ll let her pick what we watch.

Her grin tells me I’m going to regret this. “Perfect. It’s a date.” She turns, heads out, and then stops. “Oh, and Dad?”

“Hmm?”

“We’re going to discuss Cloud and riding. I have points to make.”

Sometimes I wish she were a little less like me, but at the same time, I respect her desire to prove me wrong, even if it’s not going to happen.

“I expect no less.”

Minutes later, I head out to the barn where her horse is held, and he immediately starts his bullshit. His ears tuck back, and he’s tossing his head and stepping around the stall. “Easy, boy.”

Cloud doesn’t settle—he never does around me. He’s been wild and unpredictable since the accident. Until I can see any sign that he’s able to control himself, I’m not letting my daughter near him.

“Checking on Cloud?” my sister Fallon, asks as she’s putting a bridle on the rack.

“If you want to call it that.”

“I fed him early, walked him a bit too. He needs the exercise. Since you were sleeping in after your night on the town, we all pitched in. Like good sisters.”