Page 21 of Savage Heart

Last year, he was the first one to catch on to anything he was taught. He listened attentively and had an instinct with the animals.

Iris walks up behind him, quiet and careful, like she’s stepping into something she’s not sure she can handle. Or maybe it’s guilt weighing down her steps. I don’t pretend to know anymore.

“Hi,” she says softly.

I do not say it back.

Linc doesn’t seem to notice—he’s focused on the huge barn behind me. Or maybe he’s used to people treating his mom differently.

“Do you still have all the same horses?” he asks.

“Yes. And a couple you haven’t met yet.” I grin. “You still remember them all?”

“Yes. I’ve been excited to see Thunder and Copper . . . and Beau and Lucky. And Cleo . . . and-and Vixen! And all of them!” He laughs.

His energy is contagious. “You have a good memory.”

“Because this is the coolest place I’ve ever been. Mom, did you see that big tan horse in the paddock? His mane is so long—”

Iris smiles at him, and it’s the same smile she used to give me when we were kids stealing sodas from the wranglers’ fridge. Calm and proud with a dose of mischief.

It guts me.

She shouldn’t still be able to do that.

“Yeah, I remember Lucky,” she says softly. “I can’t believe he’s still going strong.”

I wouldn’t say he’s going strong. He’s showing his age, but I keep that to myself.

Linc glances at her but is so busy taking in everything that I’m not sure he heard her.

“Listen to Mr. Maverick, okay? Don’t bother him too much. Just do what he tells you to do—”

“He won’t bother me,” I cut in, directing it to Linc. “And you can just call me Maverick.”

Iris’s eyes flick to mine, surprised, maybe even grateful, and Linc grins.

“Anyway,” I say, clearing my throat. I force myself to look at her. “Charlie will be out in a bit with paperwork for you to fill out. Camp starts next Monday, and we just need some information.”

“Can we give my mom a tour while we’re waiting? Or do we need to feed the horses right now?”

Iris’s eyes meet mine, and she looks wary. “Linc, I don’t need to see it. I’ve been—”

“Sure, we can do a quick tour,” I say.

Her expression is pained, and it gives me too much satisfaction.

Linc pumps a fist. “Let’s go!”

I gesture for him to follow, and he falls into step beside me, while Iris trails next to him, silent.

But I hear every damn footstep.

We start with the indoor arena. I open the huge double doors, and the light spills across the floor. Dust motes float in the air.

Linc stops dead in his tracks. “I forgot how big it is in here,” he whispers. “It’s like a stadium.”

I chuckle. “It works for what we need. Training, camp lessons, winter riding.”