were able to talk casually about a new saddle Josh had been commissioned to decorate, or the barrel racer coming to challenge Brooke. Nate enjoyed this time immensely, the feel of his horse beneath him that linked him to his ancestors and the land. He loved what he did.
“So Emily’s going to dinner tonight at the Sweetheart Inn—alone,” Brooke suddenly said.
Nate’s peace was shattered, and he glanced at her with a frown. “I know.”
“I thought you two were dating,” Josh said curiously.
“We are, but this isn’t a social evening.”
Brooke sighed and guided her horse around a tree stump. She briefly explained to Josh about the chance that Joe Sweet was Emily’s biological father.
Josh whistled. “This must have been tough for her. And you helped?” he asked Nate, eyeing him with amusement.
Nate shrugged, feeling grim.
“You are so easy to read,” Josh said, shaking his head. “You’ve been rattled by one little mistake for the rodeo.”
“Little?” Nate echoed icily.
Josh ignored him. “It’s not because you’ve been with Emily. I can tell you want to go with her tonight, so why are you resisting?”
Nate didn’t answer, and knew Brooke was eyeing him in the way of little sisters who are about to savor something to use over a big brother’s head.
“Don’t sacrifice a good relationship for work, Nate,” Josh continued quietly.
Apollo shook his head and danced sideways, giving Nate a welcome distraction.
“Look, we’re dating, we’re not in a relationship,” he said at last. “We’ll be ending it soon, and it’s better that she not get used to confiding everything in me.”
“Hey, she’s got me, too!” Brooke said. “But I think I understand where you’re going, and I don’t like it. You want to break up with her already, don’t you?”
“That’s between me and Emily,” Nate said impassively.
“Why?” she asked, as if she hadn’t heard him. “You’re having fun, so’s she.”
“It’s not always about fun, it’s about people not getting hurt.”
“And he doesn’t mean himself,” Josh told her.
Brooke snorted. “I already knew that.”
“Thanks,” Nate said dryly.
“Wait,” Josh interrupted, standing up in his stirrups. “Is that fence near the creek leaning sideways?”
“Must be elk again,” Nate said. “Brooke, write it down.”
“How does the girl become the secretary?” she asked with sarcasm, pulling a little notebook out of the breast pocket of her vest.
“It’s because you’re the youngest, not because you’re a girl,” Josh told her.
They guided their horses along an overgrown path, tall grass slapping their chaps.
“Back to Nate,” Brooke said, putting away her notebook.
Nate winced. “Must we?”
“So you think Emily’s going to get hurt,” she continued thoughtfully. “Is she falling in love with you?”
To his surprise, just the thought made his chest hurt. “No, it’s not about that.” He hesitated, then said in a low voice, “It’s just . . . I’m going to hurt her. I always do.”
He spurred his horse to a trot, not wanting their pity or to answer questions.
Josh caught up with him. “Nate, you’ve got these habits where women are concerned, and never once have you even been tempted to go beyond the ten-date rule. After all these years, you might have grown up a bit. We all do. Don’t you think you should start trusting yourself? Emily is making you behave differently—doesn’t that tell you something?”
“I think it should tell you something,” Brooke said from the other side, her tone superior. “You don’t want to break up with her, and you’re fighting as hard as any calf on the end of a rope. Take her to dinner. And if you just want to call it a date, then fine. But don’t give up because of what might happen. Emily’s not like the other women you’ve dated. She’s strong, and she’s growing stronger every day. I think you’ve met your match, and it scares you silly.”
“Now that’s enough,” Nate said with exasperation. “While you’ve been jawing, you missed another sagging fence.”
“Fine, Josh and I will go check out the fence post, while you call Emily. Take her to dinner. She shouldn’t be alone when she meets her dad for the first time.”
“Is that a yearling on the wrong side of the fence?” Josh suddenly called out.
“I’ll get her before you will,” Brooke challenged.
Nate watched his brother and sister ride off at a gallop. Scared silly? Of falling in love? How was he supposed to know what love felt like? He always thought he’d positively know when it was time to settle down and start a family. He didn’t want to imagine it could involve feeling so ambivalent and hopeful,