on me!”
Maddox made a sound in the back of his throat.
“I wish River was here!” Triton said with a glare.
“You didn’t even know him!” he shouted, and the mare stomped away from him. He shut the birthing stall and stalked to the end of the barn.
“Mad!” Triton called from behind him.
He stopped in the open doorway.
“I’m sorry,” Triton said, drawing close. “I shouldn’t have said that. You’re right, I don’t know him.”
“Then why’d you say it?”
“Because Bull said you never used to yell when River was around.”
“Well, that was a long time ago,” he muttered. A lifetime ago since it had all fallen apart and he wished for nothing more than to step back in time and make it right. But he couldn’t. “And I have bigger shit to deal with. So either help me or take off,” he said through clenched teeth, angry as all hell.
Triton didn’t leave, he just stood quietly next to him.
“Think it’ll rain?” Triton wisely changed the subject.
“Nah, but you know what they say, give it fifteen minutes.” He took a long, slow breath and readjusted his hat before he tugged the brim down low and moved outside of the wide open doors of the barn. Triton followed and they stood together looking over his legacy. A lump grew in his throat and he rubbed a hand over his mouth. It was the only thing he had left of his grandfather, Andrew Stone.
It was also the only thing left to remind him of his mistakes. Mistakes that had come at a price. He still came home every summer, waiting and hoping for the chance to make it right. He didn’t think anything could do that and regret formed a knot in his gut.
What he needed to do now was keep Bull from running the ranch into the ground. His cousin was turning out to be a big help and when he left his part of the ranch to someone, he’d pick Triton.
Someday, this would all belong to Triton and River.
“How long are you staying?” Triton gazed up at him.
“Not long,” he rasped, and even though he’d been an asshole, the young man’s face fell. He couldn’t stay long. He had a mission to get back to.
“Have you been staying out here instead of the dorms?” he asked Triton.
“When I can, I do. I like helping with the horses, and the college campus is not far.”
Triton’s phone buzzed. His cousin made a face.
“Who’s that?”
“Clay, he wants me to pick up some dinner on the way back to town.”
“You don’t want to go?”
“Not really.” Triton shrugged.
“Problems?” He leaned a shoulder against the barn door.
“Just need some time alone.” Triton flashed him a quick smile, moving to stand beside him.
“Make sure he’s what you want,” Maddox said of his cousin’s boyfriend.
His cousin smiled and elbowed him. “I know, I know!”
Maddox grabbed Triton by the head and gave him a knuckle rub and then jumped back. He didn’t play around often, so he took Triton completely by surprise. So much so, the kid stood with his mouth gaping.
He jogged back into the barn in the direction of the foaling mare. Beyond her stall, the far barn door stood open allowing the small breeze to blow through the building. From there, he could see the other row of massive barns.
“The number three barn door is open.” He frowned at the newly renovated metal of the barn Bull had spent the damn money on.
“Yeah, it’s that monthly rental thing. I saw them pull up as I was coming to find you.”
“The big rig?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re tearing up the grass.” He frowned at the deep tire marks in the green that separated each barn.
“I’ll go see about the open door and tell them to be careful,” Triton offered and took off out the back door toward the barn.
“Collect a payment if you can!” he called after his cousin. The young man gave a thumbs up before jogging away.
Once Maddox had the stall door reopened, he eased toward the mare. She danced away from him, and regret he’d frightened her tightened his mouth. It took him several long minutes to soothe and calm her down.
River
“Alpha team, what is your position?” Infinity’s dispatcher asked through the mic.
First Lieutenant River Seeger pressed the small mic in his ear. “Alpha team, south rear entrance.”
“Roger, Alpha team,” dispatch responded, and then after a moment, added, “Bravo, Charlie teams, confirm positions, over.”
“Charlie team, front entrance,” Sergeant Diesel Gannon replied.
Easing upward a bit, River took in the small porch and the