CHAPTER ONE

KEIRA

SIX YEARS AFTER SOVEREIGN

On the intersection of the place Sovereign Mountain as soon as met Garrison Farms is just a little valley. And strolling by way of it, together with his horse, Shadow, at his facet, is my husband.

Head down, darkish hat protecting his face.

On Shadow is our son, holding tight to his mane. I inform my husband that our son, Money, is just too younger to experience bareback and he tells me there’s no holding our boy again. Gerard has a knack for horsemanship, and that expertise runs by way of Money’s veins.

He’s barely six, however he already desires to experience barefoot, no saddle or bridle. Simply his fingers gripping their mane. He’s a daredevil. Generally I’m wondering if issues had been totally different for Gerard, he would have been similar to Money.

Wild and free.

I considered that lots at first—what might need been. Generally with a pang of disappointment. However after six years, that disappointment has pale for us each.

We’re each therapeutic, slowly, however absolutely. Studying to belief extra day by day, studying to lean into one another and overlook the injustices of our pasts.

I squint, shading my eyes as I stare upon my husband and son coming over the hill. Gerard wears the identical garments he at all times has—a worn Henley, often blue like his eyes, work pants, and metal toed boots.

His quick, darkish hair is roofed by his black cowboy hat, pushed low over his eyes. He wears the identical boots and pants he wore after I met him. I can inform as a result of I’ve patched the within seam a dozen occasions. Gerard believes in shopping for land and cattle—and spoiling me now and again—however by no means spending on himself.

Effectively, apart from when he paid off half of South Platte so he may run my husband over with a herd of cattle and get away with it. I’m the only most costly factor he’s ever purchased only for himself.

A sizzling gust of wind carries the scent of spring over the entrance porch. I curl my toes in opposition to the floorboards.

The sight of my husband and son like this fills me with pleasure. It’s been six years and I’m constructive now that I would like no less than yet one more child.

I have never talked to Gerard but, however I plan to be pregnant earlier than the tip of the yr. We took a break after Money to only take pleasure in having a son collectively. However now I really feel I’m prepared.

Perhaps this time it’ll be a woman with pink hair like mine. I smile on the thought.

Money got here out a spitting picture of his father. Large, blue eyes and curly darkish hair. It didn’t take lengthy for him to begin performing like him too. As quickly as he was sufficiently old to stroll and placed on a pair of trainers, he was swaggering across the yard. Fingers on his hips, squinting at horses and slapping cattle as they glided by.

I smile, watching as they draw nearer and enter the yard. As a substitute of heading to the barn, Gerard lifts his head and sees me ready. He clicks his fingers for Shadow and the large gelding turns and carries my son to the underside of the steps.

“What are you doing, mother?” Money asks, leaning in and resting his chin on Shadow’s mane.

“Ready for you,” I say. “What are you doing?”

He straightens, pointing again on the valley. “We went as much as the cliffs. Dad’s displaying me the place he runs the cattle when he modifies the pasture round.”

I look previous him to my husband, strolling in the direction of me with that habitually stern expression on his face. It’s the face that makes me keep in mind why I by no means take off the silver collar round my neck. Not as soon as within the seven years we’ve been married.

His pale blue gaze flicks up and catches mine. He offers me that look—the one which at all times will get my panties to drop round my ankles each time he desires. My complete physique tingles, prefer it did after we first met.

“Cautious up within the cliffs,” I say flippantly.

“Why?” Money calls for.

I flip to Gerard, who has his fingers on his hips. He shrugs, glancing again.

“Wouldn’t wish to get caught between them,” he says. “Not when the cattle are coming by way of.”

Money squints, screwing up his face as he stares over the fields. He’s making an attempt to make sense of what his father is saying, however he’ll by no means admit there may be one thing on this planet he can’t comprehend.

“Okay,” he says lastly. He turns to me, prepared for the following factor. “I’m hungry. What’s for dinner?”

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