Chapter 45
Chapter forty-five
Cooper
“Is this necessary?” Ryder asks for the third time.
“If you ask me that again, I’ll punch you in the fucking face,” I threaten before climbing down from the ladder.
I had already installed a camera at the front entrance.
One at the barn. Two in my cabin, and now we’re putting a couple at the main office where Maddox and Ivy do the majority of their work.
We had a minimal security system. We never had issues with anyone breaking in.
But all that changed when I heard Billy Sterling was walking free.
Was he here? His exact where abouts where still unknown, and Jefferson assured me they were working on it.
It had already been four days, and I was having a really hard time letting Kota and Ari out of my sight.
“I get it man.” Ryder picks up a screw gun. “I’d do the same thing.” He pauses. “Well, I mean you know what I’d really do to solve this problem.”
I’m aware my brother has zero fucks to give. Which is why if I gave the word, he would end Billy Sterling, no questions asked. But having him in prison, or anyone else in my family for that matter isn’t a valid option.
“I appreciate the offer.” I swipe at my brow with my forearm. “But I don’t think murder is the way to go.”
He shrugs. “Just a thought. In case you need a plan B.”
I stare at my brother. I know there’s more to what he’s been through in his life to make him so aloof. So cold. But he doesn’t share. And I’ve never forced him to. That’s how we work.
“You want to come to Ari’s birthday party next weekend?” I ask, moving the ladder to the other end of the building.
“A teenage girl’s birthday party. Sounds right up my alley,” he mumbles, following behind me.
“Good. It starts at four. We’re doing cake and ice cream then taking her to the festival.”
“I never said I was going,” he says before he pulls out another camera from the back of the ATV.
“Dakota thinks it would be good for her. Get her mind off the accident and the custody stuff. I don’t think she was ever able to just be a normal kid, you know?”
“Like Dakota?” He asks, handing me the camera.
“Yeah.” I swallow. “Can’t let that happen to her. Not after I wasn’t able to keep Kota safe.”
“You did keep her safe.” He fires back. “Always have.”
We both work in silence after that, neither of us knowing how to articulate how we feel. It feels heavy, and once we finally get the last camera attached, we call it a day. Dakota wasn’t going to like what I had planned for her, but if she gave me any lip, I’d just kiss her until she agreed.
End of story.
“A deal is a deal.”
Ari narrows her eyes, before she crosses her arms.
“Am I right?” I ask as I hold the reins to Buster.
“You told her how you feel?” She questions.
And then some.
“Yes.” I motion my hand. “Now you have to ride a horse.”
An angry snort, followed by a frustrated neigh echoes from the arena behind us. The sound of Dakota’s cursing has me holding in a chuckle. She’s working with one of the new colts today. He’s turning out to be a problem horse. But if anyone can break him, it’s her.
“One time around the pen,” Ari tosses out.
“Nope. You have to get a feel. At least five laps.”
“Five!” She shrills.
“Do you trust me?”
She opens her mouth, then closes it. “You don’t play fair, Papa C.”
“Come on. Let’s surprise Kota.” I move Buster near the fence. “This will make her day.”
“Fine. But only because I count on you for my meals.”
With a chuckle, I guide her to the fence. “Just climb up here and we’ll get you on. He’s pretty tall so we can work on your form later. I just want you to be comfortable in a saddle.”
Her blue converse sneakers carry her up the pipe fence, before she faces Buster. “If something happens to me, I want Trace to have my sketchpads.” She blows out a breath. “And Ivy to have my bath bombs.”
I snicker and hold out my hand. “I’ll make sure to get your last will and testament filed with the county before dinner.”
Her small hand takes mine, her eyes darting from Buster’s face, back to the saddle.
“Just swing that leg over, and hold on to the saddle horn,” I instruct.
After a brief hesitation, she flings her leg out, then lunges forward to land in the saddle with an umph.
“Great. Now sit up straight and try to get in the center.” I walk to the front of Buster and pat his neck.
“Like this?” She asks.
“Perfect.” I turn. “We’ll go slow, and I’ll lead you around. He can’t go anywhere in this round pen, and honestly, he’d rather sleep than be out here.”
I begin to walk, keeping my eyes on Ari as we make the first round. She seems to visibly relax by the third, and by the fourth, I swear she cracks a smile.
“What is going on out here?” Dakota comes to the fence, a smile on her face and dirt smudged on her cheek.
“Just paying a debt,” Ari says casually.
“A debt?” She questions.
I laugh, stopping to give Kota a quick peck on the lips when we pass. She blushes, her eyes flickering up to Ari.
“You don’t have to get all bashful, Dakota. I know he’s your Hus.”
“My Hus?” She laughs.
“Yeah. Like for real though. Not a fake Hus,” Ari says as we make the last round.
“Ok then.” Dakota smiles. “Yeah. He’s my husband. For real.”
When our eyes meet, I see the pride she holds as she looks up at Ari. “You’re a natural.”
Ari snorts. “I wouldn’t go that far. But it's kind of nice.”
“See?” I pause, moving Buster closer to the fence. “Five rounds. Not too bad.”
Ari climbs off the saddle, then down the fence until she drops on the ground next to Kota. “He’s your problem now. I’ve got homework to do,” she says before she jogs toward the barn.
“Think she’ll come around?” Dakota asks.
I lean my elbows on the pipe railing. “She’ll come around. When she’s ready.”
Dakota smirks. “Must run in the family.”
I slide my arm through the rail, snaking it around her waist. “Don’t worry. I can be patient with my girls.”
My girls.
She smiles. “I like the sound of that.” Then her plush lips meet mine.