12. ZANE
ZANE
I hear the front door open and close as the girls leave my cabin. I lean back against the headboard, frustrated with Ella for taking Ava away before I could inquire about what has been bugging me since our heated conversation yesterday.
Why did she have to drag her away like that? It’s not like I was going to eat her—I just wanted to talk. But in her defense, I haven’t been the most welcoming toward her best friend, so her reaction is warranted.
I’m glad Ella is ready to defend Ava against me; it means I raised her well and she’s a loyal friend, but I don’t like that I’m the one on the opposite end of her wrath.
She is already aware of what’s going on in Ava’s life, and since she’s not willing to tell me, I was hoping to get it directly from the source.
If Miss Diva is going to keep sneaking into my bed for the next three months, then I think I’m entitled to find out why, because she wasn’t like this before.
A long, drawn-out sigh escapes my lips as my hand outstretches to the spot Ava lay all night. There’s still some lingering warmth left behind, and her scent is all around me. Sweet, savory, and addictive. I know I shouldn’t be feeling like this; I need to keep her as far away from me as possible.
It’s only been two days, for crying out loud, and I’m already craving her. No! I need to hold onto why I didn’t want her here in the first place, at least until I have a clear explanation as to what’s going on with her, and probably what went wrong between us five years ago.
Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to catch her during the day so I can get the answers that I want.
After pondering about this whole situation for a bit longer, I drag myself out of bed to get on with my day.
A cold shower, for obvious reasons, and a hot breakfast later, I leave my cabin, ready for a long day ahead.
On my way to the stables, I catch a glimpse of the two best friends pulling out of the garage in Ella’s Bronco with Miss Diva behind the wheel. I have no idea why we even got Ella that car when she doesn’t drive.
Where are they going this early in the morning?
It’s surprising to see Ava driving, but she looks lovely with her hair secured back and away from her face with a claw clip. A few strands are loose, caressing her sharp cheekbones—a contrast to her pallid skin.
She laughs at something Ella says, and it’s the first time I’ve seen such an expression on her face since she landed. I miss her laugh. I want to laugh with her while holding her in my arms, looking into her enchanting eyes...
Hold up—didn’t I just have a whole pep talk about reining in my feelings until I have a clearer picture of this whole situation? Yes, let’s focus on that.
I have no idea how long they’ll be gone, but knowing Ella and her love for shopping, I might as well give up talking to Ava today.
I watch them drive away until the car disappears from sight before I resume my walk toward the stables. I have lots to do today, and I’ve already wasted enough time focusing on the wrong thing—Ava and whatever the fuck is wrong with her.
Running into my father on my way in is not in my bingo cards this morning. I consider turning around and walking away, but I’m too late as he spots me and waves me closer.
“You’re late.”
“I know.”
Yes, I’m up later than usual, which is rare for me as I never sleep in.
It’s probably because I was awake waiting for Ava to come in last night.
Not from the fact that I shared my bed with a beautiful woman for the first time in years, allowing me to actually have a decent couple hours of good sleep.
His brows furrow as he looks at me with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I brush him off.
He doesn’t believe me, but he also knows me well enough not to push.
“Family dinner tonight?” he invites.
My left brow shoots up as if to ask him, are you serious?
I can’t remember the last time I joined the family for dinner, and three nights ago when Ella pulled me into picking Ava up from the airfield with her doesn’t count.
“No,” I decline without having to think about it.
“C’mon, son, you cannot keep running from us. We’re your family,” he insists.
A barely audible scoff makes its way past my lips. “I’m not running. I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Barely.”
“Well, that’s the best you’ll be getting from me.”
“Zane—“
This conversation is about to take a direction I’m not in the mood for, so I quickly excuse myself. “I have work to do.”
He doesn’t look pleased with how quickly I am to dismiss his request, but he can’t force me.
I pat his shoulder as I walk past him and into the stables.
I appreciate my father for trying to bring me back into the family fold, but it’s been too long and I’m used to life as it is.
It’s better this way for all parties involved.
I am headed for Jaz’s stall when Duncan comes rushing my way, looking disheveled and out of breath. What now?!
“Sir...” He heaves, trying to catch his breath, bent over, his hands on his knees.
“Yes, Duncan, what is it?”
“It’s Lilly. She’s—“
I don’t let him complete that statement as I take off for the Sunset stables.
The sight that meets me there is one I’ve been scared of happening for weeks but knew was inevitable anyway. Lilly is lying at the corner of her stall, breathing labored, foam coming from her mouth, panic in her wide eyes as she tries to get to her feet to no avail.
I kneel by her head, my heart cracking wide open when I see how much pain she’s in.
“What happened?” I ask Kipp, one of the ranch hands who is in here with her.
“I found her like this when I came in to clean and feed her,” he explains.
“Vet?”
“I’ve already called him. He’s stuck on another call but will be here as soon as he can,” Duncan replies, rushing back in.
This is why I’ve been insistent on having a personal vet here at the ranch. We cannot keep outsourcing, but my old man is stubborn and refuses to listen.
Lilly was doing so well yesterday, so seeing her in her last moments less than twenty-four hours later is a shock to my system.
I knew this day was coming, but it doesn’t make it any less painful for me or her.
I’ve been through this so many times ever since I came up with the idea of Sunset stables, but it never gets easier.
“Give us a moment, please,” I request.
They hesitate, but Duncan is smart enough to snap out of it and drag Kipp out with him.
“It’s okay, girl. I’m here,” I whisper as I pull her head onto my lap.
There’s nothing I can say or do to ease her suffering. All I can do is be here with her and hope the vet gets here quickly.
Unfortunately, two hours later, I’m still in the same place. My back is killing me from being in this position too long, but I refuse to move. Lilly is in a lot more pain than I am, so I suck it up for her.
I hear movement outside the stall, and I look up, hoping that the vet is finally here, only to be met with the last person I want seeing this gruesome sight.
“What are you doing here?” I grit out, trying to rein in my frustration at her presence.
I don’t want her to see this. It’s too dreadful.
“I came to... is she okay?” Ava asks, walking further into the stall.
“No.”
“What’s happening?”
“She’s dying.”
“I’m so—“
“Don’t say it.”
“S—“ She catches herself and bows her head in shame. “I won’t.”
She’s holding a shopping bag in hand and has a pitying look on her face that rubs me the wrong way.
“Look, Ava, I don’t have time for you. Can we do whatever brought you in here another time?” I request, even though I was the one who wanted to talk to her in the first place.
“Of course,” she nods.
Instead of leaving like I’ve asked her to, she surprises me by setting the bag away and sitting cross-legged next to me.
“What are you doing?”
“Sitting with you and her.”
“Why?”
“Because,” she answers vaguely, picking up the brush lying carelessly on the ground.
She starts brushing Lilly’s mane and coat, sneaking glances at me every couple of seconds. It’s unsettling having her here, but I don’t have the energy to argue and chase her away. She has this stubborn look in her eyes that lets me know it’ll be a losing battle if I try, so I don’t even bother.
She starts humming a familiar tune, and I realize it’s a song from her first album. Before I can stop myself, a low growl escapes my lips, and her movement as well as the humming falters.
“Do you want me to stop?” she whispers, looking scared.
Do I really scare her this much?
I shake my head no, and she hesitates for a moment but quietly keeps on humming and eventually transitions to singing softly. She has an exquisite voice—no wonder she has gained millions of fans all over the globe who adore her and her music.
But seeing her now, seated on the ground with me, singing to a dying horse, one wouldn’t know that she’s a world-famous pop artist. It’ll take an intervention from the heavens for me to admit this, but deep down I’m glad she’s here, and from Lilly’s improved breathing, I know she is too.