Page 12 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

Every inhalation stung against his throat and nostrils, but the small pain was a reminder he was alive and doing what he liked most.

Well, at least the riding part. Dustin glanced down at the clearly cut wires and the snowmobile tracks half filled with windblown snow. They traveled in a straight line, east to west, disappearing over the rolling hillside. “They’re at it again.”

So much open space to roam, yet some of the locals felt they deserved to shortcut across this one section of Silver Stone to get to the public park lands.

This time of year the vandalism was doubly annoying. Dustin would have to come out with proper supplies, oddly enough bringing them by sled.

In the meantime, though, he slid off Molasses and got to work on a temporary fix with the binder twine he had in his saddle bags.

By the time he was done, both hands were tingling from the cold, and he was grateful to climb back on the horse and let her take herself home.

Hands shoved under his armpits, Dustin peered at the approaching rider with confusion, then concern. “Uncle Frank?”

“There you are.” Frank tipped his hat then waited for Dustin to pull beside him. The horses bumped noses briefly, then both turned back toward the warmth of the barns, pace picking up.

“Good to see you made it out,” Dustin offered.

“Glad you mentioned it. Easier to speak in person than over the phone.” Frank stared at Dustin for a moment before twisting his gaze to the Rockies.

When he didn’t say anything else, Dustin felt that nudge again. The one that said something was up. “You have things that need saying that are important?” A sudden shiver raced through his gut as something he’d never even thought of struck. “You okay? Healthy and all?”

Frank jerked upright, head snapping around. “Oh, no. I’m good. Really good. Nothing like that.”

“Thank God.” Dustin said it a little louder than he’d intended, but it was the truth.

When his uncle chuckled, Dustin raised a brow.

“Seems I’m not doing as badly as I used to. Time was when you’d have been fine to learn I was dealing with boils or incapacitating jock itch.”

A laugh burst free. “Yeah, well. Those days weren’t the best examples of character for either of us, were they?”

“Far more my fault than yours.” Frank pulled his horse to a stop in the windbreak before they hit the main arenas and barn area. “I like that we’ve fixed things between the families, and I don’t want to do anything to mess that up.”

“Good.” Dustin wiggled the collar up on his coat. Seemed his uncle needed to get whatever this was off his chest far from potential ears. So be it. “But you do have something important to tell me?”

“Yeah.” Only he still didn’t speak.

Dustin cleared his throat. “Go ahead and say it. If it comes out wrong, you can try again until it’s the way you want it. I promise to only remember the best version.”

“That’s kind, and probably necessary,” Frank admitted. “See, it’s mostly because I know now how much of a fool I was that I refuse to be one again. So I’ll admit I’m stuck.”

“Because…” Dustin offered.

“Because I’m healthy now, but I know I can’t live forever. Which means planning ahead, so that’s what I’m trying to do.” The words tumbled out of him, faster and faster, a wall falling down and mowing over Dustin like an avalanche. “I’d take you for my heir, but I don’t want to make waves if that’s not what you want. Yet with all your brothers and Ginny already relying on Silver Stone for an income, maybe that’s the way to lean.” Uncle Frank shook his head. “All I know is I want Crooked Creek to stay in the family. But I don’t want to hurt anyone here at Silver Stone in the process. Especially not Caleb.”

A steady buzz rang in Dustin’s ears, and no matter how he wanted to respond with something smart and perfect, all that came out was a faint whisper. “Um, whoa.”

Uncle Frank looked him over, gaze steady for a beat before a wide grin burst free. “Yeah, that’s a good summation.”

The beautiful winter day was still sparkly and bright, still as nerve-tingling cold, but the sensation in Dustin’s gut was lava fire and tightness and hope all at the same time.

“I see your problem,” Dustin offered in a voice surprisingly shaky. “That’s not something I expected.”

“We should have, though. Would have,” Frank corrected himself. “If the lost years since your parents’ accident hadn’t happened, the two ranches would have worked together far closer. Your father and I talked briefly about legacy issues, but it was a far-in-the-future idea that got wiped out by their loss and then my headstrong stupidity.”

The wind picked up, and Dustin tilted his head toward the barn. “I have no answers right now, and we should get the horses under cover.”

“Don’t expect an answer right now. Don’t want one, to be honest,” Frank shared. “I’m putting the weight on you, kid, but I need to know if you see the best way forward. I thought about approaching Caleb first, but no use in that—in saying I’d claim you as an heir—if it isn’t something you’re interested in. I don’t want to shake up the peace.”