Page 57 of One Wild Chance

“You guys are leaving tomorrow,” I say. “But when you return, I need you to actually know what you’re doing. Summer and I don’t have time to teach you everything all over again. Understand?”

“Absolutely.” Wyatt folds his arms and nods. “How’s that going, by the way? You and Summer?”

I know exactly why he’s asking. “It’s…going fine,” I say with a vague shrug.

“Was it going fine when I caught you holding hands?” Wyatt asks with a grin.

The other brothers’ heads snap up.

“We weren’t holding hands.”

“But your hands were touching,” Wyatt says. “For a long time.”

“She cut her finger, so I put a bandage on it.”

Grady frowns. “How long does it take to put on a bandage?”

“Longer than you’d think, apparently,” Rhett says.

“It takes however long it takes,” I say, like this is common sense. “She was bleeding. I helped. That’s it.”

“You’re awfully defensive about it,” Wyatt notes.

“I’m not defensive.”

“He’s grumpy,” Rhett says, hooking a thumb at me and nodding. “Do you have unresolved feelings for Summer?”

“No,” I snap. “We work together.” I glance at the clipboard in my hands.

“You know, we don’t care if you date her,” Grady says.

“Well, I can’t,” I say a little too firmly.

My brothers stare at me, brows raised.

They’re not running the farm like I am. They don’t understand what’s at stake, now that our lives are so intertwined. If anyone’s feelings got hurt, she could quit, and then I’d be out a broodmare manager and one of my most valuable employees. Earl told me she practically runs this place. She was Mom’s right hand and learned the entire operation from her. If we lost Summer, I’m not sure Lucky Chance would survive.

I throw my hands in the air. “Forget it.” I turn around to walk out. “You guys wouldn’t believe me anyhow.”

“I’m just saying.” Wyatt sits on a wooden stool. “You two were awfully cozy in that truck during the thunderstorm.”

I glare at him. “What should I have done…just let her bleed?”

“You definitely would’ve in high school,” Grady adds.

“Well, I’d like to think I’ve matured since high school,” I say. “We have to get along now. She’s working with our mares. The future of this place matters as much to her as it does to us.”

Especially now that she’s proposed turning our barn into a wedding venue. I stayed last night until two a.m., finishing up the barn for her, and had to drink several cups of Ada Mae’s awful coffee when I got up three hours later.

I cross my arms. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Sure.” Wyatt spins the ball in his fingers.

“I need to know who’s going to be in charge of what,” I say.

As soon as they leave, it’ll be just me and Summer on this farm, which means more time alone with her. Better to come up with a plan now so I’m too busy to think about her.

“Dad and Mom wanted us all involved,” I say. “Which means we each need to own something on this farm. Not just showing up twice a year and calling it a contribution.”