gentle mare, and she’s perfect for learning.”
“I want a fast horse,” Kevin says. “A really fast one.”
“Next time,” Seth says with a wink and reaches out to pet Suzie. “Hey, girl.”
He shows the kids how to touch and talk to her while Tash and I hang back, watching.
“Are you itching to get on her?” I ask.
“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the saddle, and I miss it some. I learned on Suzie, too. Seth taught Monica and me how to ride when we were kids.”
“I remember. I also remember Monica came home with a broken tailbone after one of the lessons.”
“She fell off,” Tash says with a smile. “And she fell hard. Poor thing. She was walking funny for quite a while after that.”
We watch as Seth puts Kelsey in the saddle.
“Oh!” she exclaims and wraps her arms around the horse’s neck in fear. “It’s really high.”
“You’re okay,” Seth says. “Loosen your grip so Suzie can breathe. There you go.”
He walks Kelsey and the horse around the pasture, patiently talking to the little girl, coaching her and building her confidence.
“He could do this for a living,” Tash says. “He’s always been good with the animals.”
“Hey, I thought that was you.”
We both turn in time to see Gage walking up to join us. I glance at Tash, but she just smiles politely at her brother.
“What brings you out here?” she asks him.
“I’ve been renting one of the old bunkhouses from Josh,” he says with a shrug. “Rentals are hard to find in Cunningham Falls.”
“No kidding,” I agree. “It’s pretty much impossible. I might be giving up my apartment soon. If I do, I’ll give you a heads-up.”
“Appreciate it.” He smiles as he watches the kids with the horse. “They’re so cute. They got big fast.”
“That happens when you’ve been gone for a long time,” Tash says. There’s no anger in her voice, it’s just matter-of-fact.
“That’s true.” He nods and then shuffles his feet in the dirt. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you, Natasha.”
“I can give you some privacy,” I offer, but Gage shakes his head.
“Nah, this isn’t a secret or anything, and something tells me you two tell each other pretty much everything anyway.” He smiles. “Do I have to kick your ass or something?”
I size up the other man. He’s less than a year younger than Tash. He’s taller than me by at least two inches, and thanks to the military, has a strong, muscular build.
It would be a close match.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Good.” He nods. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I’m moving back here. Permanently.”
Tash frowns. “You’re getting out of the Army?”
“Yeah. And I want to live here in Cunningham Falls. Need to, actually. And, listen, I don’t want things to be so damn awkward between us. You’re my sister. I want to know those kids, and I want us to act like family.”
“I don’t know what that is anymore,” she says softly. “Mom and Dad—”
“Are ridiculous,” he says with disgust. “I love them, but they’re being stupid about this whole thing. And, frankly, I refuse to take sides. I get why you don’t want to have a relationship with them. I wouldn’t, either. I don’t see them much, haven’t in a few years. The Army was my family for a long time, and now it’s not. I’m here for good. I want to mend things.”
She nods, her eyes still on the kids as they laugh at something that Seth just said.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
Gage swallows hard, shuffles his feet again. “I will be.”
“Well, I guess you’d better come to dinner one night soon. And, it’s your birthday next month. We’ll have to do something for that.”
He sweeps her up into a hug and holds on tightly. At first, she doesn’t hug him in return, but after a few moments, she relents, wraps her arms around his back, and pats him there.
When he releases her, he nods, the stiffness gone from his body. In fact, they both look much more relaxed than they did just a minute ago. “I’d like that.”
“I guess so.” She laughs and nudges him with her shoulder. “But I still don’t bake well, so I’ll have to buy your cake.”
“I don’t eat gluten,” he replies, making her laugh again. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I want cake,” I put in. “I’ll eat all the gluten.”
I should have let them have this conversation in private, but I’m glad I listened. I know enough of the situation to know that