Page 62 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

Owen’s relief was obvious, and Tyler was glad they returned in time so he could relax on their trip. Keegan hopped out of the truck as soon as Rueben parked. He rushed over and hugged them both goodbye.

“I’m okay,” Keegan said before either of them could ask. “I have a bunch of nervous energy pulsing through me, so I’m going to hit the bags for a while.” Owen had worked out with him over the past few months, and the effort was showing in Keegan’s well-being. He’d gained muscle, moved with more confidence, and processed stress in healthier ways. “You guys be careful, okay?”

“We will,” Owen replied. “You call us if you need anything.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve got the rest of the guys to lean on.”

“We’ll bring you back a T-shirt,” Tyler called out.

Keegan had already headed toward the house and raised his hand in acknowledgment. Rueben still hadn’t gotten out of the truck by the time Keegan disappeared. Tyler and Owen exchanged a worried look and walked over to Rueben’s truck. He rolled the window down when they reached the driver’s door, but Rue continued staring out the window like he was in a trance. Their handsome, cocky friend looked like someone had drained the life right of him. Tyler realized the assailant could only be Seth Burke.

“What did he do?” Tyler’s voice came out growly and fierce, and it made the corner of Rue’s lips curve up.

“It’s what he didn’t do,” Rue said, sounding weary for the first time since they met.

“Okay,” Owen said. “What didn’t Burke do?”

“He was there for the meeting, though I’m not sure why. Burke sat in the prosecutor’s office like a silent sentinel and looked right through me. He acted like we’d never kissed and that he didn’t know the way I—” Rue’s words stopped abruptly, and he shook his head.

Tyler reached inside the truck and squeezed Rueben’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“Me too, Rue,” Owen said. “Maybe it’s time to move on from him.”

Rue met their gaze, and his dark brown eyes crackled with life once more. “Are you kidding me?” His full lips curved into a wicked smile. “It’s time for me to show that stubborn mule that I’m a keeper. Now, go on and get. Enjoy your weekend, and be careful.”

Tyler and Owen exchanged another glance, earning a scornful snort from Rueben.

“I mean it, punks. I’m fine, or I will be once I put together a master plan to get my man back.”

“If you’re sure,” Tyler said, backing away.

Rueben rolled his eyes and pressed the button to raise the window.

“We’ve been dismissed,” Owen said.

“Guess so.” Tyler glanced over at him. “Guess it’s time to see what my surprise is.”

“Yep.”

Tyler spent most of the drive trying to guess where they were going, but Owen wouldn’t budge. He’d studied the navigation map in the dashboard, something else he could do now, but didn’t initiate the turn-by-turn instructions until they got closer to their destination, which was midway to Denver.

“The Happiest Gilmore Ranch?” Tyler asked when Owen drove under an ornate arched sign.

Owen chuckled. “Gilmore is their last name, and I think they had a little fun naming their ranch after the Happy Gilmore movie.”

“I figured that part out,” Tyler replied. “I’m just not sure why we’re here.”

Owen pulled up to an equine barn and killed the engine. “It will all make sense soon. Trust me.”

“Always.”

A man and a woman in their mid-forties came out of the barn and headed toward them.

“The Gilmores, I presume?” Tyler asked Owen.

“I think so, but I’ve never met them.”

A sleek black horse with unique white markings bolted from the barn and galloped into the paddock. Tyler’s breath caught in his throat, and his eyes immediately filled with tears. “Brutus!” He turned his head and found Owen watching him with a huge smile on his face.