Ace High (Lost Creek Rodeo #6) - Heather B. Moore Page 0,15

confessed, looking away. “I know it sounds crazy. I only knew her a couple of weeks, and she had a lot of highs and lows while here.” She shrugged.

“It doesn’t sound crazy.”

She bit her lip, then met his eyes. “Lars … I shouldn’t have bagged on my ex like that. He’s in my past and needs to stay there. I … well, I’ve learned my lesson with Ryan. He knows pretty much everything, and it became a greater burden trying to deal with his anger as well. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s easier to keep the hard stuff to myself. Which, of course, is the opposite of what I do in the therapy world. I guess once it’s out, it should be done. I shouldn’t be bringing things up over and over.”

Lars was trying his best to keep up with all that she was saying. He hadn’t experienced divorce, but he could see it was never the final break of a relationship. Even if kids weren’t involved, the emotions continued.

“Kells, you can tell me anything, you know,” Lars said in a slow tone. “I mean, I haven’t gone through a divorce, or anything like that, but I’m sure it’s a grieving process.” He set his hand atop the nearby stall.

“It is,” she said in a quiet voice.

Lars exhaled. He wanted her to know he understood—as much as he was able to, that was. “When my parents were killed in that accident, I didn’t think I’d ever get over it. And I haven’t, not really. I found new ways to enjoy life. My grandparents were great, and working their ranch was exactly what I needed at the time.” His gaze strayed to the barn doors and the property beyond. There was nothing more cathartic than breathing in fresh air and working the land. Except for maybe rodeo.

“Rodeo has probably saved me more than anything,” he added, “and I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends than Ryan, Ford, and the others. But it doesn’t mean I’m fixed, or that I’m okay with my parents being gone.”

Kellie gave a slow nod.

He leaned more fully against the stall door. “So I guess what I’m saying is don’t apologize to me for getting something off your chest. I’m not gonna lie, I’d like to teach Brad a thing or two. But I understand how sharing stuff with someone adds to your burden if they have to process their emotions starting from ground zero. If you want to tell me something about Brad, or bag on him, or even tell me something you used to love about him, go right ahead, Sunshine. I’m not gonna judge you or come unglued. Okay?”

She was staring at him, and now she folded her arms and tilted her head. “Sure you don’t have a therapist license?”

“If I did, I wouldn’t smell like crap. Literally.”

Kellie scoffed, then she laughed.

Lars grinned. “But I clean up real nice.”

She smirked. “No one would argue with that. Speaking of cleaning up … Robyn was right. See you after your shower.” She patted his chest, then moved past him, heading through the barn.

“Guess I’m dismissed?” he called after her.

She turned and walked backward a couple of steps. “Yep.” She smiled for real, then continued out the other side of the barn.

Lars really did like those shorts of hers.

And … it was time to go. He strode out of the barn and jumped into his truck. He’d left his phone inside the console, and found he’d missed several dozen texts from The Chute, and some of them applied to him.

Where’d ya go, Lars? Ford wrote.

Probably taking a nap, didn’t get home until late, Ryan answered.

Westin: What? Were you out late with Kellie? Is there something we need to know?

Lars cringed at that. The last thing he wanted was anyone in his business, when he didn’t even know what his business was yet.

But Ryan came right back: He was helping Kellie with a situation at the ranch.

Westin: Dude, sorry. Is everything okay?

Since Lars hadn’t replied, the conversation had changed to the rodeo tonight, and bets started being thrown around. He skimmed through the usual razzing, then sent a text. After training, I headed to the ranch, and I’ve been working ever since. See you guys at dinner. BTW, Kellie had to relocate one of her women who was struggling last night. Nobody give her a hard time.

He started the truck and began driving as the responses piled in. He’d look at them