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But he suspected the truth might be a little more basic than any of those things. He was enrolling his daughter so he could be near Luna’s mom. And so that he could see her twice a day, every day.
Chapter 10
Asher tugged the reins to slow his favorite gelding, Dancer, the next afternoon. He hoped to more closely match the slower pace of Tally, the mare Jace rode. Still keyed up from the DNA test and the discussion with Willow the day before, he wished he could take Dancer out and let him fly across the open field, the shadow of the Mustang Valley Mountains calming him as they went.
Even if Asher wouldn’t get that opportunity, patrolling the property with Jace would take his mind off his plans to see Willow again later that night. At least he hoped it would. He slowed the horse and looked over his shoulder.
“Doing all right back there?”
Jace closed the distance between them until his horse reached Dancer’s right flank.
“Sure. I’m great. Just getting used to Tally. She’s so different from all the other horses I’ve ridden. There’s something wrong with this saddle, too.”
“Yeah, those things can be awkward.”
Since it would be impossible to keep a straight face, Asher didn’t look back at him as he answered. Tally had to be the gentlest mare in the whole Triple R stable, and they were barely cantering. Not only that, Jace had mounted the horse from the right side. Every experienced rider knew to mount a horse on the “near side,” which was another term for the left.
Why couldn’t Jace just admit that he was a novice? There was no shame in that. A lot of people weren’t comfortable or were inexperienced in the saddle. It also wasn’t Jace’s fault that he hadn’t been raised on the ranch, where he—
Had the word belonged almost sneaked into Asher’s thoughts? He reflexively yanked on the reins, causing Dancer to jerk his head back. When had he started to believe that Jace really was his brother? Why couldn’t he just stay neutral until the test results came in, like his brothers and sisters had been doing?
He leaned forward and patted the horse over its mane. “Sorry, buddy.”
Again, Jace rode closer to him.
“You never said anything about my hat.”
This time Asher had to hold back a laugh. Still, his mom had always told him that someone fishing for compliments must need a good catch, so he obliged. “It looks great.”
“You think?”
“Sure.” Well, the cattleman crown was fine, anyway. The turquoise conchos and studs on the tooled-leather hat band might have been over the top for a work hat, but Asher didn’t mention that.
“Ainsley said she liked it when I picked it out.”
“She took you to Shiny Buckle Western Wear?” Asher didn’t know why he’d asked when it was the only place, besides the feed store, where Jace could have bought a hat for miles.
“She offered.”
“Nice of her.” Not surprising, either. After all they’d been through lately, his sister was probably stress shopping.
“You told me I would need a hat. Guess I’ll put it to good use if it turns out I’ll be around for a while.”
“I did say that.”
“It was also great of your family to let me stay in the mansion until the results come in. I was serious that I’d be happy to get a hotel.”
Asher shook his head. “It’s no problem.”
“If I’d had any idea the DNA test would take a week, I would’ve booked a room right away. I’ve already overstayed my welcome.”
“Just like Ainsley said at dinner, you’re our guest. You’ll stay in the house until everything is settled.”
What his sister hadn’t mentioned was that they couldn’t have a Colton, even a potential one, staying at the Dales Inn when this whole story came out. Especially after Ace had briefly hidden out at the hotel to avoid press attention.
“Just want you to know that I’m not used to living on someone else’s dime. I make my own way. Always have since I got away from Luella.”
“Good to know.”
