Page 136 of Broken Trust
Dad chuckles.
A few minutes later, Delmar’s truck comes down the drive and stops by the pen. Jovie steps out of the passenger door.
Damn.
The thought arrives before I can stop it.
She’s wearing a white sundress.
Simple.
Nothing fancy.
But the fabric looks incredible against her sun-kissed skin.
The Wyoming sunshine has painted her golden over the last few weeks, and her legs seem about three miles long. Tanned. Bare. The dress catches in the breeze as she crosses the yard toward Charli, and I look away quickly. Because that thought shouldn’t have happened.
When I glance back, she’s laughing at something Charli said.
The sound drifts across the yard.
I force my attention on the cattle.
A calf bolts, and I turn my horse.
Work. Focus on work.
I circle the calf around and lead it to the chute just as Cabe notices Jovie. And the second he sees her, his face changes. Nothing dramatic, just a small smile—something that says she’s important.
He walks over to the fence while Micah handles the next calf.
Jovie shifts closer, and they start talking.
They look good together.
Natural.
The familiar tightness returns to my chest. The one I’ve been pretending doesn’t exist. The one I absolutely refuse to examine too closely.
Thankfully, Grandpa Earl saves me.
His voice booms across the yard, “That’s the last one!”
The final tagged calf disappears into the pasture.
Grandpa holds up the tagging tool triumphantly. “Good job, boys. Now let’s go eat!”
The reaction is instant. Micah practically sprints. Royce, Cabe, and Jovie follow. Within seconds, everybody is moving toward food.
Everybody except me.
I slide from my horse slowly and loosen my gelding’s cinch. Pat his neck and lead him toward the barn.
The quiet feels good until I hear footsteps crunch beside me.
“Did you see the new roping dummy?” Charli asks.
I blink. “What?”
