Page 24 of Saddle Storm

He grumbles and I feel like somehow I’ve ruined his high over meeting his idol. Or at least someone he thinks should be his idol because the kids at school talk so much about him. Him and Chase Reeves, since they’re both locals.

Thankfully I’m off tomorrow. Because I really need a mental and physical break. And I won’t have to worry about any more run-ins during school days.

9

“Oh no,” I groan as I look at the name on the screen at seven a.m. Sunday morning. It’s my day off and my boss is calling—which could only mean one thing.

I sit up and swipe to answer. “Hey, Dallas.”

“I’ll pay you double.”

I release a heavy breath. “Dallas,” I whine. “It’s my only day off. I need to spend time with my kid.”

He releases one too and I know he’s considering other options. It’s been just over a year since Dallas discovered he had a daughter and he’s spent every moment he can catching up on missed time with her, so he gets it.

“What is it?” I ask, resigned.

“Well, you know Willow and I are renewing vows next week.”

Willow, who isn’t Ellie’s mother—but showed up on his doorstep just the same last fall—was quite the godsend when Dallas found himself in a custody battle. The woman sure had spunk—offered to stay and help him fight—even if it meant entering into a fake marriage to make his case.

Certainly had us all fooled. Then again, impossible not to believe it when those two clearly fell hard for each other.

And now they’re redoing it all, this time under no uncertain terms.

“Same vows, no staging,” I confirm.

“Yeah, well, we’re going to be using more horses for this one,” he mutters like this wasn’t his idea. “Rose has been lookin’ at pictures online and convinced us to include a few at the ceremony, maybe a couple of guest carriages and . . .” he sighs. “A flower pony and a ring-bearer pony.”

I smile, remembering how adorable Ellie was the first time, when she walked Pickles down the aisle with a basket of flowers. Then frown. “But you sold Pickles over the summer. Who’d you have in mind?”

“Cupid and Winter? Prep ’em for next week.”

It only takes me a second to consider the two ponies Dallas named and what I’d have to do to get them ready. My joints hurt just thinking about it. “Dallas, I don’t know if Winter’s a good choice—don’t think I’ve ever seen her walk a straight line.”

“You’ve worked miracles before. And it’s not like they’re walking alone. Ellie and Max will walk them down.”

“Max?”

“Yeah,” he breathes uncomfortably. “Willow and I were going to ask you together, but, well . . . we’d be honored to have Max in the wedding party. Walk Cupid down as the ring bearer. If you don’t mind, of course. You’ve always been like family around here and we all adore your boy.” My heart leaps, and when I don’t answer, he adds with a light chuckle, “Would certainly look great for pictures.”

Despite the huge honor, I run a hand down my face. So much for keeping Max a secret from Silas.

“That’s sweet, Dallas. Thank you. He’ll be so happy. And yes, I’ll come in today, but not for the full day.”

“I owe you. Oh and don’t worry about Max, Ginger’s out today but Dad’s around so he’ll watch him for you.”

“Dallas, I can’t ask Mr. Thorne to watch my kid—”

“You’re not. I did. And he’s happy to. Also, he hates it when you call him Mr. Thorne, you know.”

“So he’s said,” I grumble.

“See you in an hour? I’ll have coffee and bacon for you.”

“You should have led with that.”

“Don’t get cocky,” I tell Cupid, the chestnut pony, as I clip the lead rope to his halter and guide him to the pen first. “It’s just a wedding, not a contest.” I adjust the small pillow and rearrange the key chains I placed over them as practice. “Dallas sure’s got a lot of faith in you not to drop those rings into the dirt.”