Page 76 of Saddle Storm

I narrow my eyes at him. “You run into him there once and you think that’s his Saturday ritual?” He wouldn’t be wrong. It’s Max’s favorite spot in the late afternoon. But it’s suspiciously presumptuous.

“It is. You think I ran into him by accident that day?”

I frown. “Didn’t you?”

He laughs. “No. Dad sent me for a mystery walk along that hill.” He winks. “He wanted me to find him.”

Something tugs at my heart. I don’t know why Connor would do that, but it makes me smile.

Silas kisses my forehead. “You close up shop or whatever you got to do. I’ll go grab him.”

My stomach flips and I nod. Too speechless to say anything.

Twenty minutes later, the three of us are racing through the fields toward the ranch office, hopping over puddles, wet, muddy, tired, and cold—at least I’m those last two things. Silas and Max are having the time of their lives.

Someone needs to remind them it’s October stormy weather. Not a summer afternoon thunderstorm.

“Oh, dear lord.” Ginger jumps from behind her desk grabbing a set of towels from a rack and racing over to Max and me.

I thank Ginger and wrap my kid in the thick towel. “What do you do, put these in the microwave? They’re so warm.”

“I keep ’em over the radiator.”

Max raves about our mini adventure from the opposite side of the ranch to here.

“Where’s your truck?” Connor asks from the corner chair, half hiding behind a newspaper.

Connor remembers my car from when Dad drove it. Didn’t trust it then—and certainly not now. “Finally blew on me yesterday.”

He nods. “I’ll swing by and take a look tomorrow.” He doesn’t wait for me to argue before reaching for Max. “Come here, kid. Anything interesting up there today?”

I give them both a smile. Connor’s taken to Max like his own grandson. Or it could be because I’m always sticking him with Ginger and the kid’s just grown on him.

I turn back to Silas, who’s watching the two with the same curiosity—maybe a little bit more scrutiny.

“Thanks for the towels, Ginger. Oh, I had one more lesson today with Tucker, but maybe this one can be on the house?” I give her a wink.

Ginger’s eyes widen as her eyes flit between Silas and me. Then she pins me with a glare. “And you didn’t call me?”

Connor stands, chuckling as he moves toward Silas. “Good way to work out that arm, if you ask me.”

Silas grins at me. “Could think of other ways.”

My eyes widen and I’m sure my face is crimson as I turn to Max to dry him off.

Behind me, I hear Connor cough and pat Silas’s back. “I’m sure you could, son, I’m sure you could.”

“Well,” Ginger interrupts, fighting a smile. “Ya’ll head on home. And Storm, we’ll see you at Sunday dinner tomorrow? Dallas is hosting them now.” She sneaks a glance at Silas.

“Sunday dinner?”

“Well, of course,” Connor insists. “Didn’t think we’d let you pass on it when you’re just a short ride away, did you?”

I bite my bottom lip.

Dallas walks in with Ellie. Eyes scanning us all until they land on Max. “Found him!” he points.

“Max, there you are,” Ellie cheers. “We’re decorating for Halloween tonight, we’re carving pumpkins, putting up lights, and my dad’s letting me hang cut-out bats all over the house. Wanna come over and help?”