He licked my leg.
Hell. It had been months since I’d had a nightmare like that one. I’d started to think I was past them for good. But memories like the ones I had locked away had a powerful hold.
I pushed to my feet and strode into the bathroom, the first strains of sunrise lighting my way. I turned the water to hot and stepped under the spray. No more freezing showers in a place where I always had to watch my back. When I’d bought the ranch, I’d had extra water heaters put in so I’d never run out. I could stand under the spray for an hour, and the water would still be as hot as it was now.
Those water heaters and the property had been bought with money that shouldn’t have been mine for decades to come—my mother’s money. A trust fund she should’ve used to buy her freedom, but one that she’d never found the courage to use.
I rinsed off the sweat from the dream and then shut off the stream and stepped out. Kai eyed me carefully as I toweled off. I gave him a scratch behind the ears as silent reassurance.
I dressed quickly and headed downstairs. I ignored the kitchen and went straight for the front door. Food and coffee could wait. Right now, I needed fresh air. I pulled the pine scent into my lungs. Freedom. It was a smell that had always grounded me. The first thing I’d wanted when I got out of prison was this scent.
Kai leaned into my side, and I stroked his back. “We’re good. Let’s get the crew fed, and then I’ll get you some breakfast.”
He panted in agreement.
I worked on autopilot, loading feed into the stalls. The practice helped clear away the worst of the dream and reinforced the locks on that box of memories. By the time I’d let the horses out into the pastures, I was back in control.
I whistled for Kai, and he came running. Just as I was about to motion him towards the house, my phone buzzed. I frowned. It was a little after seven. The only person who’d call at this time was Lor, but it wasn’t her. It was an alert for the gate.
I pulled up the camera. An old truck on its last legs appeared, and I saw a familiar teen behind the wheel. “Aidan?” I greeted.
He jolted slightly. “Uh, hey, Mr. Bishop. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I studied the camera angles. There was no sign of his father, but his little brother, Elliott, sat in the cab’s backseat. I hesitated for a moment, calculating the risk. Images flashed in my mind. Elliott jumping at his father’s raised voice. Aidan shielding his little brother with his body. “Sure. Follow the road to the barn.”
I hit the button for the gate. It was dumb. Monumentally stupid. But I was doing it anyway. What had gotten into me,inviting Shiloh to live here and now letting a kid I didn’t know drive in? Lor had spoken to her contact at the sheriff’s office, and, supposedly, they wereinvestigatingKenny. I didn’t have high hopes.
After a few moments, the rusted, red truck appeared. Aidan slowed to a stop and got out. Then, he opened the back door for his brother. Elliott jumped down, his eyes wide as he took in the property and horses around him. I saw his mouth form a word.Wow.
Aidan took his hand and walked towards me. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I hope it’s not too early, but I have to get Elliott to school by quarter to eight.”
My mouth pulled down in a frown. Why the hell wasn’t his dad driving him? “I’ve been up for a few hours.”
He nodded.
“How can I help you?”
Aidan’s gaze moved to the pasture where the horses were grazing. “I didn’t know who you were when you came to our house, but I pieced together your name on the card my dad ripped up. I, uh, I’ve heard about what you do with horses. I was wondering if you needed any help.”
My eyes narrowed as I studied the boy in front of me. “Your dad send you over here?”
Aidan’s gaze snapped back to me. “What? No. He has no idea I’m here.”
I read nothing but the truth in his words. And my damn traitorous heart tugged as I took in the skinny kid. “Why do you want to work here?”
He swallowed hard but didn’t look away. “I could use the money, and…” His jaw worked back and forth as he struggled to find the words he wanted. “I’d like to learn how to help horses like you do.”
Hell. In for a penny, in for a pound. “You know how to muck stalls and groom?”
Aidan nodded.
“Can you show up on time?”
“Yes, sir. I, uh…”
“What?”
He glanced at Elliott. “I watch my brother after school. Is it okay if he hangs out while I work?”