Harper sighed, tired of the constant digs about her preferring to spend her time at the equine arena rather than work full time on the Christmas tree farm. “She knows me. She relaxes with me. I soothe her,” she said to her mother. She looked over at Summer. “Wanna take a ride? I’m going to run out and check on the new horse.”
“No, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll just stay here. I’m enjoying this,” she said, swirling her hand around to indicate everything around them.
“Okay, save me a piece of cake, yeah?”
“Will do,” Summer said.
Clay watched over his shoulder as Harper got up and dug her keys out of her pocket, walking toward the cars parked in front of the trailer park, and on the shoulder in front of Riley’s house. “Hey, guys, replace me,” he said, walking away from the horseshoes game.
“What? Where are you going?” Sebastian asked.
“I gotta take care of something. I’ll be back,” Clay said.
“We need another for horseshoes!” Sebastian said.
“I’m coming!” Maverik said, pausing to watch Cristie and Remi cut their cake. “Y’all gonna make me cry, right there! Damn, I’m happy to be here for this day!” he said. “Cut me a big piece, I gotta go show these kids how to play horseshoes.”
Cristie sliced cake until she was tired of slicing cake, then handed it over to her mother. She took two plates and went over to where Keegan was now sitting alone since everyone was up and meandering around the dessert table as they each enjoyed a piece of mating cake or a scoop of pudding. She handed Keegan a plate and a plastic fork. “Brought you a piece of cake.”
“Thanks,” Keegan said, taking the cake from her, but not really taking a bite.
“You alright?” Cristie asked.
“Yeah,” Keegan said, nodding slowly as she picked up the fork and put a little piece of cake in her mouth.
“Liar,” Cristie said.
Keegan looked over at her quickly. “What?”
“Want to tell me what’s actually going on with you?”
Keegan started tearing up, but shook her head.
Cristie looked around horrified that she’d made Keegan cry. In a spur of the moment decision, she smashed her slice of cake on her shirt and jumped up. “Damn it! Keegan, come help me, please!” She grabbed Keegan by the hand and dragged her with her into her house. The minute the door closed behind them, she turned on Keegan. “What the hell is happening?”
Keegan broke down crying.
“Aw, shit. Come on, or they’ll be in here if they hear us,” Cristie said, leading Keegan back to hers and Remi’s bedroom and closing the door. “Now, sit, talk to me.”
“I’m not supposed to,” Keegan said. “And it’s better that you don’t know.”
“You obviously are struggling with something. I know I’m not Alpha yet, but I will be eventually. I am capable of helping you. Tell me what’s got you so upset, or I can’t help you.”
Keegan looked at Cristie, wanting so badly to share what had been weighing so heavily with her. “If somebody finds out, they’ll know I told you.”
“I’m not telling anyone. Not even my father. Not Remi, not anyone.”
“Not even Kaiser?” Keegan asked.
“Kaiser? Why would I tell Kaiser?”
“He’s your best friend, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, but….” Cristie’s eyes got wide and she reached out and held onto Keegan’s upper arms. “Nooooo!”
Keegan started crying again, while she nodded her head.
“And you’re devastated because you can’t stand him!” Cristie whispered.
