Page 80 of Ethan

“All of you?”

“Every single one of us. And we’re all happy about it.” She tilted her head. “Ethan has been alone too long. And the way he looks at you—” She shook her head. “He’s never looked at another woman like that. Not even Claire from what I’m told.”

Naomi turned to face her. “Can I tell you something? Just between us?”

“Of course. I would never betray your trust.”

Naomi nodded and told her everything. The abandonment, her mother showing up, Ethan pushing her to give her a chance, going to the motel, finding out what her mother actually wanted.

“I’m just so angry with him right now,” she finished.

“You shouldn’t be.”

Naomi blinked. “What? Why not?”

“He wanted to help you. He thought he was.” Serena leaned against the stall door. “I can’t imagine what it felt like for you because I’m so close to my own mother. And Ethan feels the same way about his family. He’s never had to protect himself from someone who was supposed to love him, so he couldn’t understand why you had those walls up. He pushed because he loves you, Naomi. He wanted you to have what he has. He wanted you to be happy.”

Naomi looked at her.

“That doesn’t make it right,” she said quietly.

“No,” Serena agreed. “But it makes it forgivable.”

“I sent him away,” she said.

“Then go find him.” Serena said it simply. “Don’t let your mother take this from you too. She’s already taken enough.”

That landed somewhere deep and quiet.

Naomi looked at Vader, who was still watching them both with his ears forward like he was following the conversation.

“When did you get so wise?” Naomi said.

“I’ve made my own mistakes with people I cared about.” Serena pushed off the stall door. “I learned the hard way that being right isn’t always worth what it costs you.”

Naomi looked at her. She wondered if she was talking about Johnny but didn’t ask.

“Go talk to him,” Serena said. “After you work this boy.” She nodded at Vader. “He looks like he’s about to come through that door on his own.”

Naomi laughed despite herself and reached for the stall latch.

****

Ethan found her in the arena, working Vader through the pattern at a steady lope. He waited at the rail until she brought the horse around and spotted him.

She rode over slowly and pulled up.

They looked at each other for a moment.

“I have to go out of town,” he said. “Leaving in the morning. I’ll be back day after tomorrow.”

She held his gaze. “Where are you going?”

“Billings. I sold a mare to a man out there eight months ago. Got a call yesterday that she’s not being treated right.” He kept his voice even. “I’m going to get her back.”

Something moved across Naomi’s face. “You’re taking her back.”

“That’s what the contract states.”