AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Callan must have heard the seriousness in his tone because he pulled his horse to a halt and Kirby automatically stopped too.
“I need to know that you guys will look out for Emma if something happens to me.”
Callan tensed and his horse shifted. He automatically put a hand on the animal’s neck to soothe it. “Tell me what’s going on, Dane.”
Dane dragged in a breath and then told Callan about the incident the day before with the mirror.
“That’s why I need to stay here. I can’t risk Emma being alone with me if something like that happens again.”
Callan looked at him long and hard and then he shook his head. But instead of answering Dane, he asked, “What happened between you and Jax?”
Dane pulled his eyes away from Callan’s and scanned the valley ahead of them. “It’s not going to work out.”
“I saw the way he looked at you. He’s in love with you.”
Dane closed his eyes as a wave of pain went through him. “Will you be there for Emma or not?” When Callan didn’t answer, Dane felt the last of his energy drain out of him and he picked up Kirby’s reins with the intent to steer the horse back to the barn. Callan leaned down and grabbed the horse’s bridle.
“We will always be there for Emma. And you. But don’t for one second ask me to believe you would ever hurt that kid,” Callan said harshly.
Completely done, Dane climbed off the horse. He had no idea how long of a walk it was back to the barn but he really didn’t give a shit.
“You’re one of the bravest men I know, Dane. So why are you running away?”
A harsh laugh escaped Dane and he spun around on his heel. Callan had dismounted as well and was just a few steps behind him, leading the two horses. “Brave? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Strong too.”
Dane’s gut clenched at the words and he felt tears sting his eyes. “Not you too, Callan.”
“Not me what?”
Dane shook his head. “Don’t you lie to me too.”
“Is that what you think Jax is doing? Lying to you?”
Dane turned and began walking again.
“Do you?” Callan nearly shouted.
“I don’t know, okay? I don’t fucking know.”
“You want to know why I think you’re brave?” Callan called.
Dane stopped but didn’t turn.
“The day of the shooting.”
“I froze,” Dane automatically said. “I couldn’t do anything.”
He felt Callan come to a stop behind him. “That’s not true. There was a point where I was calling for you because Finn was down and I saw you look at your daughter and then Finn and I knew. I knew how badly you wanted to go to her. But you chose Finn.”
“He needed me.”
“But you needed Emma.”
It was true. He’d never needed anything more in that moment then to hold his child.
“And you had to have been scared shitless trying to help Finn but you took charge and you did it. The doctors said the bullet nicked an artery and if you hadn’t clamped it…” Callan’s voice grew thick with emotion. “You saved his life, Dane.”
