Knox bumped my shoulder but stayed silent. My chest grew tight as I watched Austin swing my sister in circles while they danced some jig. Mom would have loved to see this day. She’d have dragged Dad up there, sore hip and all, and made him dance with her. Hell, she’d have probably talked me into a few rounds too.
The song ended, and a slower one began. Austin tucked Elaina close, and they swayed to the gentler beat.
“I don’t think I’ve seen the last of him,” I mumbled.
“No?”
“Call it a hunch. I don’t think that guy likes hearin’ the word no.”
Knox chuckled. “Sounds like he’s as bullheaded as you.”
A smile crept onto my face as I took another sip of beer. “Ain’t no one as bullheaded as me.”
“Truth. Tell you what? I’m gonna get myself right shitfaced and crash here tonight. Then, if he comes back tomorrow, you have me for back-up.”
I chuckled. “Pint-sized, hungover Knox for back-up. Just what I wanted. That should scare him right back to Edmonton.”
Knox slapped my shoulder. “I ain’t pint-sized. You fuckin’ stop with that shit.”
“My dog’s bigger than you.”
“Shut up.” Knox scowled and chugged his beer until it was gone. He was sensitive about his height. At barely five-foot-five, he was shorter than most guys, but he made up for it with his barrel-sized chest and broad shoulders. Tipping the bottle my way, he asked, “Want another?”
“Nope. Not even gonna finish this one.” I handed the near-full bottle to Knox who drained it without thinking.
“I’ll be back.” He wandered off but got stopped by the bridesmaid who’d had her eye on him all night. There was no way Knox was going to end up spending the night. His attention had already been diverted from his beer run. By midnight, his promises would be replaced by a beautiful woman. He could deny his interest all he wanted, but Knox thrived on attention. He was just more shy about it than other people. If that woman was smart, she’d let Knox have a few more beers, and my friend would be relaxed enough to enjoy himself. He was wound tight and more self-conscious than he would ever admit to anyone. It’d gotten worse since high school, not better, and I worried about him. He held a lot of stuff tight to his chest, stuff even I wasn’t allowed to know about, and I was his best friend.
Leaving the bustling wedding party, I wandered out into the dark night, needing quiet. Ever since Lachlan had appeared on my doorstep that morning, I’d been fighting with an uneasy gut. Small waves of apprehension flooded my veins at random whenever I considered the reason for his visit.
How had word about our land and finances traveled to a developing company all the way in Edmonton? Was nothing private anymore?
I didn’t know what the future held, but I did know I’d be damned if I was going to let this place fall into the hands of some company like Montgomery Developing. God only knew what they would do with it. Even the thought of huge concrete buildings ruining the landscape made my stomach knot.
Unsettled, I wandered to the nearest of our three stables and wrenched the door open, propping it with a log since the latch was still broken and I hadn’t found five minutes to fix it. It was warm inside. I flicked on a bank of lights, enough so I could make rounds. A few curious heads poked out of their stalls. Horses greeted me with huffs and snorts like they did whenever I came by.
“How are you, old girl.” Nadine was an American painted horse who’d been with us for six years. I’d bought her from a guy who could no longer afford to house her. She was great with young riders. She had patience and a soft affection with everyone.
Nadine let me stroke her nose as she sniffed my shirt, snorting.
I moved on, saying hello to anyone who came to their gate. We had a great team that accommodated every skill level of a rider who showed up at the stables wanting to ride. Braun, a black Thoroughbred gelding, was a retired racehorse. He was getting up there in years but still like to get out and hit the trails if the weather was warm enough. He was finicky and more particular in his old age, but so was Dad, so I couldn’t blame him. Those two got along like peas