Page 119 of Set It Right
The leaves of the trees whispered in the subtle breeze. The river moved with purpose beside us. The horses lowered their heads gratefully, reins loose, tails flicking at flies.
Zane groaned as his boots hit the ground. “Holy hell. Muscles I didn’t even know I had ache. If I ever agree to go horseback riding again, please slap me.”
Mrs. Keller arched a perfectly groomed brow. “I’d be honored, darling. Though I must warn you, I’m stronger than I look.”
He pressed a hand to his lower back. “A verbal slap will do fine.” Nostrils flaring, he took a deep breath. “God, what is that?”
“It’s called fresh air.” I pulled a small canvas bag from my saddle horn. “Very exclusive. We make it in Wyoming.”
Mrs. Keller accepted the bottle of water I handed her. “Darling, I grew up in Montana. I had fresh air before it was fashionable.”
Zane perked up at the sight of the wrapped sandwiches. “If that’s turkey, I take back every complaint I’ve made about this ranch.”
“It’s turkey,” I confirmed. “And I packed some of Phoebe’s cookies.”
He made grabby hands. “Now, please. I need them.”
We settled near the bank, boots in the grass. The horses shifted lazily behind us, content. The air smelled like sun-warmed earth and river water. It was one of those afternoons that felt suspended—no rush, no edges.
Mrs. Keller chewed thoughtfully. “I agree with your decision to make this your permanent home.”
“You do?” I asked, unsurprised she was aware of my plans and had an opinion.
“I do. I seem to recall saying you could do anything you wanted, and look at you now. You have a handsome beau, and you’re excellent at your job. Easy as pie once you got out of your own way, wasn’t it?”
“Maybe,” I hedged. “It was the getting out of my own way that was difficult. I’m really good at that.”
She flicked her manicured nails. “Aren’t we all?”
I leaned my head back on the trunk of the tree behind me and listened to Zane and Mrs. Keller banter, a smile curving my lips. My brother could talk to a brick wall if that were his only option, and I was certain Mrs. Keller had never met a stranger, so their conversation well never ran dry. She told him all about her house, the people who worked for her, and her wayward son George. Zane shared stories about his patients at the hospital, the neighbor who kept putting their trash in his garbage can, and how he and Steven met and fell in love.
While my eyes were closed, the horses decided it was an excellent time to drift farther down the bank in search of better grass.
“Hey—nope,” I called, grabbing my reins and jogging after them.
By the time I’d gathered them back, one had managed to tangle a rein around a low branch. It wasn’t a big deal, but it had taken a few careful minutes to untwist the leather and calm a mildly offended gelding.
Mrs. Keller checked the sky. “What time is it?”
“Later than I meant for it to be,” I admitted.
The sun had shifted lower, the light turning richer, thicker. It would still be a comfortable ride back, but between the conversations and chasing down the horses, we’d lost more time than I’d intended.
“Mount up,” I said, brushing grass from my jeans. “Let’s get you back before the dinner bell rings.”
Zane made a show of bracing himself before climbing into the saddle again. Mrs. Keller swung up with effortless grace, and we turned the horses toward home.
The ride back was easy at first. The river curved away from us, replaced by open stretches of prairie and rolling hills rippling gold in the lowering sun. The breeze shifted cooler against my cheeks.
Halfway up a gentle rise, something caught my eye. At first, I thought it was heat distortion, but when we crested the hill, a thin ribbon of gray in the far distance rose straight into the sky before drifting sideways.
I slowed my horse without meaning to.
“What is it?” Mrs. Keller asked, following my line of sight.
“Probably nothing,” I said automatically. “There’s smoke. It isn’t thick, so I’m not too worried.”
But I didn’t look away.
