Page 85 of Breathe Me In

“You’d do that?”

“Of course I would. You know, besides Lainey and Charley, you’re my most favorite couple, and I refuse to let anything happen to what you have.”

He lifted his hat and ran his gloved hand through his short hair. “Okay, yeah, that would be good. I just don’t want to be blindsided.”

“Makes sense. Leave it with me, and I’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah, okay.” He grinned and shot me a look, and I knew what was about to happen. “Race ya home?”

I didn’t get to answer before he spun the horse around and took off in a full gallop toward the house.

“Such a cheater,” I yelled out as I followed him down the hill and along the trail. Now I knew why he suggested I ride Toby. God love the little fatty, but he was slower than dirt and usually tried to stop for a snack at every tree branch. I got maybe five minutes of run out of him before he slowed and snorted like that was enough. “Damn, Toby, maybe we need to lay off the snacks.” He turned his head and looked at me, and I could have sworn he glared. He reached up and grabbed a branch and began to chew. “I should’ve ridden Kevin. That porker can move.”

A twig snapped, and I whirled around in the saddle to see what it was. “I swear to God, if that’s you, Kevin, we’re done. I’ll fry you up so quick.”

“I do love some morning bacon.” Ronnie stepped out onto the path, and my heart slowed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

I smiled and looked around. “What are you doing out here?”

He broke eye contact with me. “Ah”—he lightly laughed as if embarrassed—“truth? I think I had an episode, because one moment I was in the kitchen making a sandwich, and the next I was under some brush with a stick trained on a rock.” He smiled again as if he’d made a joke. Then he dropped his head and rubbed it in frustration. “It’s pretty messed up when you fight for a country that won’t fight back for you.”

I slid off Toby and dropped the reins because I knew he wouldn’t go anywhere. I moved in and gave Ronnie a hug. “I’m sorry you’re not getting the help you need.”

“I get some.” He shrugged. “It’s just not enough to really do anything.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine where your head goes.” I put a hand on his arm.

“Can’t you?” he challenged as he pulled back and motioned for me to follow.

I snatched up Toby’s reins and looped them over my arm and walked with him.

“Your battle might look different from mine, but we’re still both affected up here.” He pointed to his head.

“Maybe.” I hated that the topic was now me.

“I know you hate to talk about it, and so does Brad, but keeping that shit inside hasn’t done me any good.”

I knew he was right, but it didn’t make it any easier to open up. “I hear that a lot.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek and knew my next question wasn’t cool, but I couldn’t help myself. “Did Sherry ever ask Brad about that day?”

“She knew Brad never liked to talk about it, so she never pried. It made her a safe place for him to be, I think. He didn’t have to think about the dark stuff. She kept things upbeat, easy.” He scrunched up his face as he thought. “But that’s not healthy—your person should be the one you can share your deepest fears with, not help you hide from them. I think that’s why I was so happy when I saw you were home, because maybe you two could talk.”

“I can’t be that person for him, Ronnie. I’m a mess about it myself.” I shook my head. If I couldn’t do it with Dale, I certainly couldn’t do it with Brad. It made it harder because he’d actually been there that day. “I’ve got Sherry jealous of me being around Brad. She sees me as a threat. In spite of their divorce. I think she wants him back.”

“What?” he shot back a little too fast. I pulled in my chin as he looked at me funny, then his face fell like he was holding something back. “She might, but he sure as hell is finished with her. If it helps, he was finished with her before you came along. The only reason he’s even trying to keep things civil with her is because we grew up here and everyone talks.” He gave me a pointed look like I could relate.

“I get that.”

He nodded. “So, you and Hayne, huh?”

I chuckled. “We’re just friends, that’s it.”

“I’m glad of that. He’s a great guy to do a tour with. He had my back just as much as I had his, and shit, did we see some things that would knock the church right out of you. But Hayne isn’t really boyfriend material. He’s more of a good time, if you know what I mean. Just be careful. We share the same demons, and sometimes I think he might be worse off than me.”

“Noted.” I appreciated the insight from him.

“Well, this is me.” He waved a hand as we reached the edge of the lake. “God, Bree, it’s so nice to have you back.”

“It’s nice to be back.”