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I locked in so that Wren didn’t invade again. He tried to anyway. It was going to be a long day.

I wrapped things up with Marielle about ten minutes before the trail riders were due back. I felt good about the meeting, knowing I had a solid plan in place to start the veterans’ program, and that once I hired a CPA, I could get moving on it. It would still be spring before I could start offering sessions, but I was well on my way to having everything in place.

I headed outside to greet the group when they returned from the ride, so I could give them their next directions, check in with Dad, and corner Wren. When they didn’t arrive on time, I wasn’t worried. Sometimes it took longer than anticipated. But then a half an hour went by, and then an hour. At that point, the only thing that kept me from worrying was knowing that my dad had a satellite phone, despite us having good cell service because we’d installed towers on the property, and he’d call in if anything happened. Just as I was about to call and check in myself, I heard the telltale rustle from the head of the trail, and a moment later, Talia and my dad emerged.

“Hey, how’d it go?” I asked as soon as he was close enough, the rest of the guests filing in behind him, with Wren bringing up the rear. The horses were docile enough, though I noticed a few disgruntled faces on riders.

Dad widened his eyes, but said, “Great. This is a good group and we handled it well.”

I knew something else was going on, but I’d wait until the guests were off doing the next thing before breaking it down with Dad. I gave him a subtle nod to let him know, then turned my attention to the group at large.

“You all have about an hour to see to your horses, then dinner will be served, with the bonfire right after. Holler if you need anything.”

I got affirmative responses, a few riders dismounted immediately and led their horses toward the stable, while the rest just rode in that direction. I watched them all go, then turned to dad.

“Hang on a sec, okay?”

I didn’t wait for a response, but hopped off the porch and strode toward Wren. Nelson did a side-step, and Wren gave me a wary look, but I just smiled.

“What?” he asked, a little snark in his tone. I grinned wider and he groaned. “What, Bode?”

“Stick around?”

Wren chewed on his lip for a second before he took a breath. “I have to—”

“Stay.” This time it was a command. “I wanna talk to you. So give Nelson a groom, you can put him in Imelda’s stall for now since she’s in her paddock with the troublemaker. I’m gonna talk to Dad and then you’re all mine.”

I didn’t miss the catch of breath, or the complicated set of emotions that passed over his face. I also wasn’t going to take no for an answer, even if that meant bodily keeping Wren here. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that because he nodded once, dismounted, and followed the others toward the stable.

Dad had a mock scowl on his face when I approached. “You be good to my boy.”

I snorted a laugh. “He’s my boy. Tell me what happened. You were an hour late getting back.”

Dad let out an explosive sigh, and Talia echoed it. I was sure whatever happened had annoyed her just as much as it had Dad.

“I thought you said this was an intermediate group?”

“I did. They are. What happened?”

“Someone lied then. Chad what’s-his-name. With the dark brown bay Saddlebred he keeps trying to insist is a black Arabian.” Dad didn’t need to add the epic eye roll because the tone completely conveyed how he felt. To be fair, I agreed.

It still made me laugh, which I quickly covered. “He might be a National Show Horse so he might have some Arabian in him.”

Dad just stared at me. This time I couldn’t quite stifle the laugh and Dad kicked out at me. I moved out of reach and shook my head. “I’m keeping an eye on him. And honestly, Ranata has his number too. She hasn’t let him get away with anything.”

“I liked her. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and helped out a lot on the trail. And anyone who says red mares are mean hasn’t met her sweetheart of a horse.”

I tipped my head. “You know I have a soft spot for red mares. Especially if they have a bald face.”

As if Imelda knew I was talking about her, she let out a whinny that was echoed by several others. No better sound in the world as far as I was concerned.

We talked for a few minutes more, Dad pointing out anyone who would need extra help over the next few days, and reminding me again to keep an eye on Chad. Then he was off, back to the ranch to hand off Talia and join the rest of the family for dinner.

Wren emerged a minute later, and the instant he was close enough, I grabbed his hand. He made a startled sound as I pulled him around the building and up the stairs to my apartment, but he went along easily enough. It wasn’t until I got him inside, the door shut behind us, that I let him go, and only then so we could get our coats off. He turned to face me immediately.

“We aren’t eating in the dining hall?”

I shook my head. “I’ll cook. I want you to myself.”