21
Hadley
“Thank you for coming,”Hayes said as he pulled open the front door to the ranch house.
I shouldn’t have. Didn’t truly know why I had. It had to be that dirty word:hope. Pulling me in with this image of what my family could be if we just worked out our differences. I gave my brother a quick hug. “I’m ten minutes early. Did you notice that?”
He let out a low chuckle. “Very impressive.”
Shy appeared with Hayes’ dog, Koda, on her heels. I gave her a shoulder bump. Hugs weren’t my sister’s thing—any physical affection, really. “You figure out when you’ll get the colt?”
“Three weeks.”
“Let me know when he gets here. I want to come see him.”
The young horse Shy had picked out was a gorgeous chestnut with beautiful lines and plenty of spirit. Instead of Shiloh answering me, she simply nodded and moved towards the living room.
I glanced up at Hayes. “She doing okay?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “It’s impossible to know with her.”
And that drove my brother crazy. I pinched his side. “Not your job to figure out if she is or isn’t.”
“Of course, it is.” He wrapped an arm around my neck, pulling me in for a noogie. “Don’t you know big brothers willalwaysworry?”
I pinched his other side, this time harder. “Let me go, you big buffoon.”
“Ouch! That hurt, you little witch.”
“Music to a father’s ears, his children battling it out just like the good ol’ days.”
I pushed out of Hayes’ hold and went to hug my dad. “Control your son, would you?”
Hayes lifted his shirt to examine his side. “I’m pretty sure she broke the skin.”
“Baby.”
Dad barked out a laugh. “Man, am I glad I don’t have to referee you two anymore.”
Everly strolled up, patting Hayes’ chest. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Thank goodness. She’s vicious.”
“And proud of it.”
“What’s vicious mean?” Birdie asked as she popped into our circle.
“Mean,” Hayes said at the exact same moment I said, “Strong.”
Everly bit her lip to keep from laughing, but my dad let his laughter fly.
“You guys are weird sometimes,” Birdie mumbled.
My dad bent down and ruffled Birdie’s hair. “You are so right.”
We moved into the living space where Addie and Sage were playing a game of checkers. As we entered, Addie looked up. “She’s kicking my butt.”
Sage grinned. “I kinda am.”