Balsam Grove is quieter when we pass through than it has been lately. All the paps know Sav and I have been in Hollywood and filming was on pause for the weekend, so there are only a couple still hanging around the gates of the ranch as we’re driving through. I duck down as we approach, because I can only imagine what kind of story they’d make up about me if they saw me looking like this. Even when I’m stressed about Quint, I can’t turn off those thoughts.
I toss a “Thank you” over my shoulder at the driver as I exit the car. The ranch house seems the most logical place to start, so I take off toward it at a run. Quint is close to his family. If something is going on with one of them, they’ll be together. Of that, I’m sure.
I’m out of breath by the time I fly through the unlocked front door. “Quint!” I call out, but the place seems to be empty. Disappointed, I turn to leave.
“Aura?” Shayla appears from the kitchen. She sounds surprised, and I don’t think I can blame her for that, given what I must look like after my frantic journey.
“Shayla, where’s Quint?”
“He’s at the breeding barn. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but how is Quint? What’s wrong?”
She stands there looking confused, so I take a couple steps toward her. “Please, tell me what’s going on with Quint?”
Something seems to register for her at that. “One of mares had a bad foaling. Chipper. We called Quint because she’s important to him. The vet had to perform an emergency C-section. She’s doing okay and her foal is too, but Quint’s down at the barn with them.”
Chipper, right. He told me about her. How important she is to him. The tension in my shoulders finally eases and the worry begins to dissipate. He’s okay, his family is okay, the ranch is okay. But this horse is important to him. He still needs me. He needs me to be there for him like he’s been there for me since I got here. He kept my secrets, taught me to ride, and helped me get through my panic attacks. He’s been there for me at every turn, so I need to show up for him too.
“Thank you.”
“Of course. And Aura, I’m sorry I gave you hard time the first month or so you were here.” Shayla fidgets, looking somehow both abashed and resolute. “I was just worried about my brother. He fell for you so fast, and it set off alarm bells. The most important thing in the world to him is this ranch, the horses. I didn’t see any way that the two of you could make it work with your very different lives. But I never disliked you. In fact, I was a huge fan of Paisley Creek.”
A tired smile twitches my lips.
“But I can see now I was wrong. Yes, you’re a celebrity and your life is in LA, but you came back early for him. That shows me how much you care. So, if you two think you can make it work, I believe you. Do you think you can forgive me for being a bit of a bitch?”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to forgive. I get it. You were looking out for your brother. I can appreciate that. Plus, I think we’ve had some time to get over it. But you missed something—Quint’s family is the most important thing to him. And I know he’s felt a little distant from you lately, and it bothers him. So, maybe we can both get out of our own heads and let him in?”
One side of her mouth twists up in a wry smile. “I can do it if you can.”
“Deal.” I hold out a hand for a shake, and she wraps her fingers around it, grinning at me.
“Now go look after that boy. He’s going to have a tough time looking after the other girl in his life for the next few days.”
“Will do.”
A pleasant warmth fills the anxious hollow in my stomach at the sight that greets me in the barn.
Quint’s big frame is slumped in a camp chair outside Chipper’s stall door. His dress shirt and tuxedo pants have seen better days, and his head is tilted back, restingagainst the wall. Small snores are coming from his slightly open mouth.
I peer through the stall door to see the mare standing there, eyes closed, head drooping. Her belly is all wrapped up and significantly smaller than the last time I saw her, which means…
A tiny snort comes from the other side of the mare and then a long-legged baby appears from behind her mom. It’s wild to see the little horse steady on her hooves, snuffling around, at less than a day old.
“Aura?” Caleb walks up beside me, speaking in a low tone as if he doesn’t want to wake his brother.
It’s not so flattering how surprised everyone is to see me. “Hey, Caleb. How’s everyone doing?”
“The horses are doing okay. That fool over there won’t leave the barn though. Won’t even go change out of that penguin suit.”
“Who are you calling a fool?” Quint’s voice is rough from sleep, and I turn to see him blinking at me like he’s not sure he’s actually awake. I don’t think he quite believes I’m real.
“You heard me,” Caleb calls to him. “I told you we’d take shifts.”
He ignores his brother, focusing on me. “Hey, Hollywood. Didn’t expect to see you back here until later today.”
“I was worried.” I step over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, needing the solid reassurance that he’s here and he’s okay. “You should have left me a note. Texted me.”
