Page 30 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

He leaned back, eyeing Dustin closely. “This doesn’t sound like an announcement that you and Charity are packing up and moving.”

A slow smile crossed Dustin’s lips and he shook his head. “Us leaving is a no. As much as I now respect and care for Uncle Frank, both Charity and I feel our life is here at Silver Stone.”

Relief rushed in, but Caleb dipped his chin to acknowledge the most important part of that. “Knowing what you want is key. I’m glad for you and Tee.”

Dustin’s expression grew serious again. “I’ve gone over it, and I suppose they should be asked, but I can’t see any of the rest of the family wanting the challenge either. Kelli, I’m sure, wants to be here training the horses when she’s not on maternity leave. Crooked Creek doesn’t train horses like that. And Luke has never wanted to leave the ranch. Walker and Ivy won’t move the children from their extended family. Tucker is foreman here, and the same thing. He's not moving Ginny, Demi, and the new baby away from his uncle or the rest of us.”

“I’m not moving,” Caleb joked. “Tamara moved once and she’s said that was enough for a lifetime.” It was a sobering thought, though. “Which means telling Uncle Frank none of us are interested.”

His youngest brother nodded slowly then met Caleb’s gaze in a near challenge. “When I came to the same conclusion, Charity said something outside the box. It might be hard to hear, but it’s also a brilliant idea.”

“Why do I feel as if I’m going to hate whatever it is you’re about to say?” Caleb demanded, before an idea leapt into his head. “Oh shit.”

“If none of our generation want to move, there’s still Sasha. And Emma, or down the road one or the other of the next generation. But Sasha is the one who right now is nearly finished school and taking at least a year to figure out what she wants to do next.” Dustin leaned back, abandoning the tools on the small tabletop beside him. “It’s not an outrageous idea. She’s a born horseman, and what she doesn’t know yet, she’s smart and willing to learn.”

“But she’s my daughter.” Caleb dragged in a breath.

“She is, and if she already knew what direction she wanted to go, she’d be leaving home temporarily for college in the fall. Calgary maybe, but more likely Olds or Edmonton if she wants a Bachelor of Agriculture or something.” Dustin paused. “Heading to Crooked Creek to hands-on learn how to run the ranch could be considered a made-to-order university degree.”

Caleb couldn’t deny the logic. Couldn’t deny it was a hell of an opportunity for his girl.

Couldn’t deny the pit that had opened in his gut at the idea of her leaving Silver Stone.

But Dustin was right. She nearly had one foot out the door already.

“I need time,” Caleb said. “She’ll need time.”

“Uncle Frank gets that,” Dustin said gently. “He said there’s no rush, but he wanted to start the conversation.”

“So I’ll talk with him myself. Sometime in the next bit, after Tamara and I go over it.”

“And Sasha?”

That was an easy answer. “Not saying anything to her yet.”

Dustin raised a brow. “That’s a lot of talking if she’s not interested.”

“She’s got three months left before graduation. Tests and final assignments. Plus, she already has a plan in place for next year—figuring out what she wants to do.” Caleb shook his head. He’d talk to her, he would. When the time was right. “Let’s let her enjoy these final months without the added stress of deciding if she wants to upend everything she’s ever known. Even for the chance of a lifetime.”

Dustin eyed him for a moment then nodded. “Okay. I’ll leave it with you. Charity and I won’t say a word until you tell us it’s time.”

“Appreciate it.” Caleb rose then impulsively hauled his brother up for a hug, pounding him on the back with appreciation. “Glad to know you’re Silver Stone to the core.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Dustin agreed.

Caleb left him to finish his task, wandering back through the barn with his head spinning and his heart aching. It was a great opportunity, and he wanted the best for his children.

Letting them go, though? That was going to break him.

He paced back toward the stall to discover Sasha doing the final clean up on Firecracker, no sign of Tyler.

“Nearly done?”

“Nearly. Emma took Ty up to the loft for pre-dinner kitten time. I wanted to make sure Firecracker was happy before I stopped.” She ran a gentle hand over the horse’s face, and he leaned into her palm contentedly.

She was smart and brave and a wonderful person. Frank would be lucky to have her as an heir.

Sasha gave the horse one final pat, grabbed her tools, and turned to put them away. She paused, eyeing Caleb suspiciously. “Something wrong?”