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COOPER
Lily grew more and more excited the closer we got to Cole’s ranch. Ivy and I laughed as she pointed out cows and deer she saw through the window like they were exhibits at the zoo.
“You know if you move here, she’s going to have to get used to these sights,” I said.
I looked over to see her biting her lip and mentally cursed myself for pushing the issue. Reaching over, I grabbed her hand, set it on my thigh so our fingers were joined. “If you move here,” I added. “No pressure, remember? We could always come to you.”
She gave me a smile as she squeezed my fingers. “Thanks for giving me room to decide. I appreciate it.”
While her response was nice enough, it just opened the door for more questions. Was it just the location she was undecided on or was it a life with me and Rory? Did Bridgewater hold too many sad memories? Did she miss Seattle? I knew she enjoyed the hell out of fucking us, but she hadn’t made a peep about her feelings. I could understand that she was more focused on Lily getting used to having fathers at the moment. To me, Lily was already used to having us in her life; kids were resilient like that. As for Ivy? She seemed to be the hold up. At some point, she was going to have to decide what she wanted for herself as well. And that included us.
When we pulled into the ranch, Cole and Hannah were waiting for us. There was no police SUV, and Cole said Declan had been on call and had to stay in town, but would catch up with us when his shift was over.
Cole led us toward the stables, although once we drew near Lily raced on ahead, her blond hair pulled back in a long tail, just like a pony’s. By the time we joined her, she was standing in front of one of the stalls looking up at a white mare with unconditional love.
“That’s Casper,” Cole said to Lily. After a minute, he turned to us. “I think your daughter has Montana in her blood.”
It sure as hell didn’t come from me. While I knew which end of the animal was which, I’d only ridden a few times. They weren’t for me and if I sat on one, I’d give cowboys a bad name.
“I think you’re right.” Ivy was smiling at her daughter but I saw the thoughtful look in her eye. “She’s going to want one now.”
I tried not to get my hopes up. I had no problem getting a horse for Lily. Hell, I’d hook the moon for her. There were many stables willing to board a horse, perhaps even Cole himself. It didn’t matter where we were, just that we were together. Although, it would be a little weird to see a horse in Aunt Sarah’s back yard.
“Can I ride her?” Lily asked, holding her hand up so the horse could sniff it.
“If it’s all right with your mom and dad,” Hannah replied.
Cole looked to us and I realized suddenly that I was the “dad” in the “mom and dad.” I took a moment to savor it.
“She’s as gentle as they come,” Cole promised.
“It’s all right with me,” I said, but I looked to Ivy for final say. She’d made the decisions for Lily for six years and I didn’t want to step on her toes now. She could have allergies or a fear of heights or something I knew nothing about.
Ivy nodded. “Me, too.”
Cole go
t her situated on the horse, adjusting the stirrups to her size, settling her hands on the pommel. Ivy, Hannah, and I watched from the fence line as Cole led Lily and the horse. He was just going to walk them around the property a bit to give Lily a feel for the animal. I was already thinking ahead to how we could set her up with proper riding lessons if they moved here. It would be easier—and cheaper—than getting her that pony.
Then it happened. It was as if time stood still. I had no idea what caused the horse to rear up—snake, prairie dog or something else—and Cole was quick to rein Casper in, but not before Lily lost her balance and tumbled off. Her pink cowgirl boots got caught in the stirrup and she whacked her head on the ground.
Holy fuck. Casper was gentle?
“Lily!” Ivy screamed as we ran to her side. She was lying there, not moving, blood trickling from her forehead. Cole was holding onto the horse’s lead, trying to keep her calm while trying to help Lily at the same time.
Panic had my heart racing and the terror I fought to keep at bay every day threatened to take control as I unhooked her foot from the stirrup. She was breathing but she wouldn’t wake up even though Ivy kept shouting her name over and over.
Doctor. We needed a doctor! Fuck, we were out in the goddamn boonies. The moment I thought it, I was firmly pushed aside as Hannah knelt beside Lily. “Let me see her.”
Hannah did a quick examination, her hands moving over Lily deftly and confidently, before looking up at us. Her grim expression did nothing to ease my panic.
I just found out I had a daughter. I couldn’t lose her now.
Ivy gripped my hand and that brought the world back into focus. Ivy needed me. Lily needed me. I had to be strong for them.
Hannah was talking and I forced myself to pay attention to her words despite the roaring in my ears as my pulse rate rocketed.
“We need to get her to the hospital,” she was saying. “I need access to their equipment to make sure she’s all right. She hit her head and we need to make sure there’s no swelling, no trauma we can’t see. My clinic won’t do.”
