Page 78 of Promised to the Cowboy

I’ll tell her the rest.

The morning is cool enough that I pull my cardigan tighter around myself as I sit on the porch. Gabriel’s still in the east pasture with the mare. I can just make them out beyond the fence.

He isn’t trying to catch her. He’s standing a few yards away, hands loose at his sides, talking to her in that quiet voice of his that barely carries this far. Every so often she flicks an ear toward him.

Progress. Not dramatic, but another inch of trust.

A truck rumbles up the driveway. I look up as a black pickup pulls alongside Daniel’s. Henry climbs out before the engine has fully died, shutting the door with a solid thump. One glance toward the house, another toward the pasture. Always assessing.

He spots Gabriel and lifts a hand. Gabriel nods in return.

My stomach tightens. It’s one thing knowing everyone’s worried. It’s another to watch people rearrange their lives because of you.

Henry looks up and spots me on the porch. “Morning, Evie.”

“Morning.”

He studies my face for a second, gray eyes missing very little. “You holding up?”

“Me? Yeah, I’m made of stern stuff.”

“That you are.” He shifts his weight, glancing toward the house. “We’re having a bit of a planning session this morning. Figure out how best to stay ahead of your father.”

The words land heavily in my chest. “You really don’t have to do all this for me.”

Henry’s gaze settles on me. “That’s where you're wrong.” He nods toward the ranch behind him. “Family doesn’t wait until someone’s hurt before they start looking after each other.”

Before I can think of a reply, Henry tips his hat. “We’ll sort it. See you inside when you’re ready.”

Then he opens the back door as though he’s been walking through it his entire life—which, I suppose, he has—and disappears inside.

A few minutes later, Gabriel leaves the mare where she is. He latches the gate behind him, dusts his hands on his jeans, and walks toward the house. Toward me.

His eyes find mine immediately. One blue. One green. Always looking for me now.

“You okay?” he asks quietly as he reaches the porch.

I nod, even though I’m not entirely convinced.

He doesn’t look convinced either. He climbs the steps anyway and slips his hand into mine. His thumb brushes slowly across my knuckles. “Daniel’s getting everything set up in Ethan’s study. You don't have to sit in if you don’t want to.”

I meet his eyes. “I’m good. I need to be included in this.”

Pride flickers across his face. “You ready?”

I lace my fingers through his and summon a smile. “Let’s do this.”

He smiles softly. “There’s my Lightning.”

He turns toward the back door, then pauses. His smile disappears. Every muscle in his body goes still.

I follow his gaze.

Three black SUVs roll through the entrance in perfect formation.

Expensive.

Immaculate.