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“Yeah.” Her voice wavered.
“Did you talk to him yet?” he asked gently.
“No, not just yet.”
He thought he heard her sniffle, but then she gave a short laugh.
“I had weeks to get used to this possibility,” she began. “But it’s still a shock. It’s good news, really it is, but I’m angry, too—at Mom. I’ve missed twenty-five years with my father and my brother.” He heard her blow her nose, then she added, “Maybe you’ve been able to forgive her, Joel, but it’s going to take me some time.”
“That’s completely understandable. Hey, it took me over sixteen years—I had a head start.” He smiled at Britt and lifted the back of her hand to his lips. “A loving wife helped, too.”
“Yeah. That would help.” Longing colored her voice, especially when she added, “Speaking of which, how is…everyone?”
Ah ha. Now that he knew about Colton, Joel caught the telltale pause. She wasn’t asking about everyone, she was asking about someone.
“Well, the boys are running wild, Brittany’s getting fat and sassy, and—ouch—” Joel broke off with a laugh as Britt smacked his arm. Kendra scolded him on the other end, too, saving him from mentioning Colton. He wanted her to keep wondering.
“Listen, I was thinking,” he segued. “Instead of putting Noah on a plane home, what if he rides with me to Pennsylvania day after tomorrow to deliver a couple mares. I can drive him home from there and then I’d get to see my little sis again, too.”
“Really? Oh, that’d be great, Joel. If you’re sure you don’t mind, I much prefer the thought of him with you than alone on a plane.”
“I don’t mind at all,” he assured her with a wide grin.
****
Colton sat on the top rail of the outdoor arena with Britt as Joel led a new arrival inside for the maiden ride. Since talking to Joel yesterday, he hadn’t bothered to hide his left hand anymore. He noticed Britt’s gaze touch on the ring, but thankfully she didn’t say a word. He wasn’t in the mood to fend off a heart-to-heart.
In the middle of the arena, the large chestnut Quarter Horse stood stock still as Joel did a final check of the bridle and tack. At first glance, the gelding appeared to be perfectly calm, head drooping as if ready to fall asleep even. A few flicks of its right ear were the animal’s only movements. But those twitches, coupled with the tensed, bunched hindquarters, told a whole different story.
“Rough ride coming up,” Colton predicted.
“Yeah, I see that,” Britt agreed. The lack of concern in her voice conveyed her confidence in her husband’s abilities.
He watched Joel gather the reins, grasp the pommel and plant his boot into the stirrup, then pull himself up into the saddle. The horse remained still. Colton no more than wondered if he’d called it wrong when the gelding exploded.
It all happened so fast; whipping tail, twisting body, flash of hooves. One second Joel sat securely in the saddle, the next he was laid flat out on the ground. The gelding stopped a few feet away as if nothing unusual had happened. Colton’s brows rose in surprise. He’d never witnessed Joel unseated before.
Calls of encouragement sounded off to Colton’s right, from Cody, Dustin and Noah’s safe viewpoint behind the fence.
Colton experienced a jolt of concern when his friend didn’t move to get up right away. He leapt from the fence a split-second after Britt, and the both of them rushed to his side. A noise from the fence jerked Colton’s head up to see Cody climbing through the rails.
“Stay there,” he ordered. If Joel was seriously injured, the boys didn’t need to see it up close. Cody hesitated and Colton gave him a firm look. When he was sure they weren’t coming any closer, he turned back and dropped to his knees next to his friend. Joel struggled for air and Colton’s alarm doubled. The whole scene brought back unwelcome memories of Kendra’s fragile body curled in the dust after Lucky had reared up.
Britt leaned over Joel’s chest, her voice high and scared. “Joel? Are you okay?”
He finally managed to suck in a lungful of oxygen. “I’m fine…I think,” Joel rasped. “Just had the wind…knocked out of me, that’s all.”
Colton sagged with relief. Britt smothered her husband with a kiss before helping him sit up. He waved a hand at the boys and they erupted in cheers.
Wow. The guy’s butt is planted in the dirt and he’s still a hero. He smothered a chuckle and stood to dust off his knees before offering a hand. Joel’s strong grip allowed the rest of his worry to fade.
Once on his feet, Joel gave Britt a one armed hug and a grin. “See? I’m fine.” Color began to return to her pale cheeks until Joel said, “Time to get back on.”
No one said a word. They all knew the cardinal rule. Never end a session with the horse thinking it’d won.
Colton gave a grim nod and turned toward the gelding. A hoarse cry of pain spun him back around on his boot heel at the same time Joel’s hand clamped on his shoulder in a death grip.
“What’s wrong?” Britt demanded with alarm.
