Page 34 of Thaw My Heart

“Oh, but it’s the meddling that keeps us young,” Annie grins, twinkling her eyes as she places her hands on Cole’s shoulders. “I still want grandchildren,” she teases.

Of course, it’s a joke, but I can’t stop my throat from closing. Nor can I stop the memories from coming to the surface, like a tidal wave destroying everything in its path. I think of June, the grandchild, and the little girl we all lost because of Dakota’s selfishness.

Her blonde curls, soft smile, and melodic laugh...

The walls around me close in, and I’m somewhere else. Back in the house that I designed for a family I would never have. A family I was never good enough for.

Daddy, she cried as I left for reasons she’d never understand. I would always just be the Daddy that left.

“Kit, I didn’t mean…” Annie’s voice brings me back. “We miss June, of course. I just mean⁠—”

“Annie’s only worried about you,” Cole chimes in. “We both are.”

I know she didn’t mean to say it like that, but it doesn’t hurt any less. I shake it off, pushing it deep into what’s left of my broken heart. “I’m fine.” I glance at the clock on the stove. “Look, I need to get going.” There are plenty of cows waiting to be fed, and plenty of places I’d rather be than in this house having this conversation.

Annie walks up to me and hugs me once more, tight enough to take my breath away. “It was good to see you,” she smiles. “You don’t come around often enough.”

“I wonder why,” sarcasm laces my tone.

She chuckles. “Maybe next time you come around, you can renovate my kitchen. It’s well overdue.”

“There are plenty of contractors you can hire to do that.”

“No one can do it like you, Kit,” Annie confirms.

Cole nods in agreement. “You’ve already helped rebuild so much of this ranch in the past ten years. No one could complete your work but you, son.”

Warmth rushes to my heart from his compliment.

Working in construction was a thing of the past, a thing that once brought me joy. Now it only reminds me of the man who got his heart broken in two.

But I do have to admit, their kitchen is in desperate need of a makeover. “Well, when you both stop meddling, I’ll think about it.”

Annie smiles with warmth in her cheeks.

I offer a smile back, tipping my ballcap to them, and leave. Heading out into the frosty morning air, clearing my mind for the long day ahead on Lone Pine Ranch.

I zip up my navy Carhartt as a cold breeze blows through the field. It’s about three o’clock in the afternoon, but the thick clouds covering the sun make it feel much later. Most of the snow melted early this morning, but the air still has a mean bite to it. I yawn, rubbing my face to wake myself up. Last day before the weekend, and thank God for it.

There’s way too much I need to process. Alaska’s pregnancy, the run-in with Cash, and lastly, the fact that I cannot stop imagining Sadie on her knees. Or her coming towards me with that wild look in her eyes.

Did she really want me?

Or was it just the tequila talking?

I shake my head, not wanting to think any more about last night without a clear head.

Hudson and I hop off our horses, closing the gate behind a herd of cattle we moved into a new pasture, successfully finishing our day, and not a moment too soon, because I feel like I’m about to drop.

Hudson is easily my favorite rancher to work with. We could communicate with nods and whistles. Going hours on end without saying a single word. Some days, I swear we were the same person, except for his medium-length blonde hair and his clean-shaven face. Both of us preferred quiet lifestyles and a cold beer at the end of the day.

We’d probably hang out more if we didn’t prefer solitude and Ryker didn’t take up all my free time.

“Isn’t that the new girl?” Hudson asks.

I follow his gaze to Sadie, leaning against the fence with her golden horse at her side. “Sure is.”

“She doesn’t look like the others describe her.”