Page 259 of Cowboy Daddies

What was he doing? He should be tucked up inside by now. Surely Wyatt wouldn’t have let him out? Frost was one of their older horses. He was gentle and good with children. He was Wyatt’s favorite horse.

“Come on, Frost,” he said to the horse. “Follow me back.”

Sometimes he swore the horse could understand what he said. He didn’t even need a bridle as Jeb led him back inside. But he stopped at the open door to Frost’s stall.

What the fuck?

Casey was crouched over, covering something in a corner of the stall. Was that Wyatt?

“Casey? What are you doing?” he snapped.

“Papa! Papa, you need to help Casey. She’s gone all strange.”

“What do you mean?” He rushed into the stall and crouched behind Casey. “Casey, get up. Let Wyatt go.”

“Keep Wyatt safe.”

“That’s all she’ll say. She thinks Frost is gonna hurt me. I think she’s scared of horses, Papa.”

“Then what is she doing here? Why are you here?” he snapped.

He knew that wasn’t important right now, but he was worried about Casey and how to help her.

“I was mad and ran out to be with Frost. She followed me and then she started acting all weird.”

“You were mad?” he asked.

“Because she’s leaving and I want her to stay.”

“What? Wyatt, you’ve always known she’s leaving.”

“Yeah, but everyone said she was your girlfriend, so I thought she was going to stay.”

Casey whimpered and Jeb shook his head. “All right, we’ll talk about that later. Right now, let’s get her inside. Casey, listen to me. I need you to let go of Wyatt.”

She shook her head. “Not safe.”

“He is safe. You’re both safe. I’m here. Nothing is going to happen to either of you while I’m here. But you need to let go so I can get you inside. It’s dark and cold now. And Wyatt needs to eat and go to bed. So let go, baby. Trust me and let go.”

Trust him?

Let go?

Could she do those things?

You know Jeb will keep you safe.

“Let me help you,” Jeb whispered. “Good girl. That’s it.”

She felt him move her into his arms and she let out a small cry of protest. “Wyatt!”

“I’m right here, Casey. I’ll hold your hand. I don’t get it, Papa. Frost isn’t scary.”

“But Casey doesn’t know that,” Jeb said.

“Did something bad happen to her?” Wyatt asked.

“I don’t know, son.”