Page 120 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

“I’m terrified daily. Hell, I’m about to be a dad. Terror is my new way of life.” Boone said.

“I hide it better than him, but yes. I dodge bullets for a living and dread is my pastime. Welcome to adulthood.”

“In this family, weakness is shutting the door and pretending you do not need backup. Strength is handing someone the damn rope when you are sinking.” Boone knocked his knuckles against Colter’s shoulder. “Plus, we like helping. It makes us feel useful.”

Colter rolled his eyes, but the affection burned bright in his chest. The silence that followed did not feel heavy. It felt honest.

He stared down at the charts again and, for the first time, he did not feel alone. “Okay. We keep swinging.”

“That’s our boy,” Boone said.

“Our moderately intelligent brother,” Eli corrected.

Boone gave a solemn nod. “Moderately.”

Colter flipped them off with heat.

Then, because something in him cracked wide open, his thoughts drifted where they always drifted these days. A woman built for hard things who kept choosing soft ones anyway, and a little girl who ran straight at him like she didn’t know the meaning of hesitation.

Boone caught the far-off look and grinned. “Thinking about your girls?”

Colter did not bother denying it. “More than I should.”

Boone arched a brow. “Have you figured out if it’s short-term infatuation or long-term investment?”

“Long-term. You and Vivi long-term.”

That shut Boone up for a second. He gave a slow nod that meant he understood exactly how serious that was. “Then you need to be honest with Sutton. Say what you want. Say what you can give. And don’t half-ass it.”

“Yeah. Don’t half-ass it,” Eli agreed.

“What the hell happened to protecting my heart?” he asked his youngest brother.

“What the fuck do I know about relationships? I was left at the altar.”

“He has a point,” Boone said.

Colter exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just don’t know if she’ll listen or bolt. She’s been burned. She protects her kid and her world. I’m not sure I can get past her armor.”

Eli spoke before Boone could. “If she runs, go after her. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me.”

Boone’s voice dropped low. “What Eli is saying is, don’t be that guy.”

“Yeah, if Sutton’s it, then fight for her.”

Colter swallowed hard. Because that was exactly what he wanted. A future with a family and a long-term life where Sutton woke up in his arms and Lynlee barreled down the hall and called him hers.

This time, the fear did not make him retreat. It made him ready.

“And be sure to make room for them,” Eli added. “The ranch. Our program. Hell, the future. None of it means anything if you are living in a shallow pond. Go deep.”

Boone held his gaze. “You don’t need to do any of this alone.”

Colter felt the truth settle deep. Vulnerability did not diminish him—he was starting to learn—expanded him.

He let himself imagine something bigger than duty, that maybe included love.

He picked up a pen, marked the stallion prospect that scared him, and said, “Alright. Let’s build this fucker.”