Thirty-Three
I’m so glad you’re getting better, Dream. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you were feeling worse.” I placed a kiss on the colt’s nose.
Mordecai said the abscess was healing nicely. The mash Tuck made had also helped a bunch. Now Dream was on soft grass, and Mordecai said he could go back to regular feed next week.
He was much happier now, and the skittishness had all but left him. Thankfully, no signs of EHV-1 or positive nasal swabs had appeared. I rubbed a hand down his muzzle, reveling in the softness that was as familiar to me as the feel of my own skin. Touching the Thoroughbred soothed me in a way only a horse’s presence could.
Dream was supposed to be the one constant. The one thing that was mine, no matter what. He was my companion through the mess with my parents, through the turmoil between Tuck and me. Dream was supposed to have remained untouched by life’s tragedies.
He’s going to be okay. Everything will work out according to God’s plan.
Telling myself God was still good over and over despite all the surrounding chaos was centering me. I didn’t feel as panicked as I had. I felt reassured that God truly would get me and my family to the other side of this. One day I’d wake up and wouldn’t see the McKinney name in the headlines. One day.
But it was not this day.
My cell vibrated in my back pocket, jolting me into the present. I removed it and checked the notifications, grinning when I saw Nevaeh’s name.
Nevaeh
Guess what.
Piper
You got a request from Aline Brosh McKenna to do the next *it* Netflix rom-com?
Nevaeh
Nope ?? I got asked to be the key stylist for the next Marvel movie.
Piper
Oh my word! Are you serious?
Nevaeh
As a heart attack. In fact, I took my blood pressure to make sure I wasn’t having one.
Piper
Can you tell me for what film, or should I just use my imagination and assume the best?
Nevaeh
Imagine away!
Piper hit the call button. She had so much to say and didn’t want to use her fingers to talk.
“Hey, Piper!” Nevaeh said in greeting.
“Are you excited? What about your salon? What does Lamont think?” Piper took a deep breath to give her friend time to respond.
“I’m super excited. The request seemed out of the blue but is very much welcomed. My salon... well, if I take the position, I’ll probably have to promote one of the ladies to manager while I’m away for the film.”
That made sense. Last year, Nevaeh wanted to work on a film or TV set more than anything. But after much prayer, she decided to open her own shop that catered to women going through health issues. They could come get pampered and leave with tips on how to maintain their hair during illness. Nevaeh even offered in-home services for some clients.
“What does Lamont think?” Piper asked.
“He’s happy for me and will cheer me on no matter what I choose.”
“Aww.”
Nevaeh sighed. “He’s the best.”
“Y’all are too cute.”
“I think so too.”
They both laughed.
Then Piper asked, “How will you decide?”
“Pray first. My gut says yes, but I don’t know if that’s because it’s an old dream I thought was no more or because God wants me to say yes.”
“I get that. Praying for clarity for you.”
“Thanks, girl. I also have a question for you.”
“Ask away.” I left the stall and headed for the stool near the tack room. I wasn’t ready to leave Dream completely, but he didn’t like cell phones.
“Lamont and I set a date for the wedding, and I was hoping you’d be my maid of honor.”
My mouth dropped open. “Are you for real?”
“Very.”
I gave a light squeal. “I’d be happy to. Thank you so much for thinking of me.”
“Oh thank goodness. I really feel like we’ve become fast friends, but I was still worried you’d say no.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m an official member of the Nevaeh Richards fan club.”
She laughed. “At least someone’s heading it up. It’s a vast difference from the haters attacking me.”
“They’re not still doing that, are they?”
“Some people will die on that hill. I’ve chosen to take the high ground ... which might be a mountaintop?”
“There you go.” Nevaeh’s stance was #lifegoals.
“How are you doing?”
I sighed. “Life’s been so up and down lately. I’m ready to get off this roller coaster and get into one of those boats that just coast.”
“I bet. I can’t believe how often you’ve been in the news. You and Tuck trying to outdo me and Lamont?”
I laughed. “No way. The news circus is for the birds. I’d be happy if people forgot our names altogether.”
“I don’t think there’s any sign of that happening. Since I’ve been following the races, I keep getting alerts on my phone related to anything equine. Girl, if I see your dad’s name in the news one more time—” Nevaeh sucked in a breath. “That was so insensitive of me.”
“No, you’re right. His name is in there more than mine.”
“Have you talked to your dad?” Nevaeh asked hesitantly.
“Not recently.” My mind went to our argument. “But I need to.”
“Remember, nothing gets resolved if you’re ignoring it.”
Ugh.I hated that she was right. “Thanks, Nevaeh.”
“Anytime. I’ll talk to you later.”
“’Kay. Let me know what you decide.”
“Will do.”
I sat there in the quiet of the stables. Other than the puffs of air from Dream and the sounds of birds and other wildlife outside, it was pleasantly quiet. Perhaps that’s why I noticed the sound of footsteps way before I saw a body enter the stables.
Tuck moved slowly, arm in sling, hat on head, looking extremely too good for my heart. I watched him check each nook and cranny before his eyes landed on me. My lips curved of their own accord as I stared into a face I knew as well as my own. “Hi.”
He approached me slowly, a wary look on his face. My welcoming grin probably threw him off. Last he knew, I wanted to punch his good-looking face.
“Hey there,” he said cautiously. “I didn’t really expect to find you in here.”
“Expected to see me chasing the goats?”
“Without a doubt.”
I laughed. “They’re the only ones not giving me grief today.” I gave him a pointed look.
His face flushed, and he stared at his boots before meeting my gaze once more. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
He took a step closer. “I won’t do that again.”
I studied him, noting everything that was the same and seeing the contrition in his gaze. “I hope not.”
“Will you forgive me?” He took another step.
“Already done.”
He closed the gap and wrapped his free arm around me, kissing me just below the ear.
I sighed, nuzzling my cheek against his beard. I looped an arm around his neck and kissed him soundly. “And what have we learned from this?”
“To not keep secrets.” He grinned at me. “And that you’re the most forgiving woman I’ve ever met?”
“Don’t forget that, Tucker Hale.”
He chuckled.
“How’s the shoulder?” I asked.
“Hurting like you wouldn’t believe.” He sighed and laid his head on my shoulder. “Make it stop.”
I ran my fingers through his hair. “Do you need some pain meds?”
“No.”
“Ice pack?”
“Not if that means you’ll move and disturb my pillow,” he mumbled.
“Maybe we should shift to the floor so you can be more comfortable.”
Tuck raised his head. “Actually, I have something else to tell you.”
“Tucker Hale!”
“No, wait!” He held up a hand. “Before you get mad, please note that I literally just learned this new bit of information, and I came to talk to you straightaway.”
I blew out a breath. “Noted.”
“Your dad came to see me. Wanted my help talking to you and your mama.”
“Really?”
He nodded, then told me the rest of the conversation. It almost sounded word for word. I held back a smirk. Tuck obviously wanted to stay in my good graces.
“He even knew about my dad.”
I blinked. “He knew?”
“Yep. Wasn’t upset or anything.”
I tilted my head. “Your dad and I talked yesterday.”
Now it was time for Tuck to show surprise. “About what?”
“You know.”
Unease filled his eyes. “Are y’all good?”
I nodded, and Tuck’s shoulders sagged. “Thank goodness.”
“I know how important your family is to you.”
He cupped my cheek. “And same for you.”
“I think Mama misses Daddy.”
“What about you? Do you miss him?” He withdrew his hand.
I swallowed. Did I? I missed the daddy of my childhood. The one who took me to horse races. The one who taught me to love Jesus and others. The one who was there at the drop of a hat when I needed something. I missed being a daddy’s girl and feeling safe with him.
Only, now all I could remember was his confession back at Bolt Brook. The regret I heard in his voice talking to him when I was at Mountain Laurel. How he’d knowingly endangered the lives of horses for monetary gain. Did I want to know this new version of Ian McKinney?
“I don’t know how to answer that.”
“I know he did a terrible thing. He knows it as well.” Tuck grabbed my hand. “But doesn’t he deserve a second chance?”
“I know you want me to say yes.”
“Only if you believe you should. This isn’t me trying to pressure you. I’m simply offering another perspective.”
I gave a short laugh. “Tuck, you’ve always been the one to offer me another perspective. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. You’re the whole iron sharpens iron. When I need to come to my senses, you’re often the one encouraging me to do so. You do it patiently and without judgment. So you coming here, talking to me about my dad...” I lifted a shoulder in a helpless shrug once more. “It means it’s the right thing. I’ll come to that realization sooner rather than later because you make me want to be better.”
Tuck kissed my cheek. “You’re the best, Piper McKinney.”
“This time I think you’re the best. I’m pretty sure my dad isn’t your favorite person.”
“Wanting your forgiveness as well made it easier for me to come on his behalf. I know how badly I wanted to resolve the rift between us. I can only imagine how much more your father wants to with you and your mom.”
I thought about my parents, how long they’d been married. “I’ll talk to Mama.”
“I’ll be praying.”
I sighed and placed my forehead against Tuck’s chest. “Why is being an adult so difficult?”
“I don’t know, but Peter Pan had the right idea.”
“No kidding. No bills. No life-and-death decisions to make.”
“Unless fighting Captain Hook.”
A huff of air left me at my slight chuckle. “Why do we always forget that when we say we don’t want to grow up?”
“Right?”
I straightened, meeting Tuck’s gaze. “You know, no kisses either.”
“Yeah.” Tuck frowned, but then his face brightened. “I guess falling in love is the best thing about being an adult.”
I froze.
Had he meant...
Did he just say...
My brain stuttered, then started up again. “What’s that?” I asked as casually as possible.
Tuck turned bright red. “Um.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m just saying that ... you know.”
I couldn’t stop the grin on my face. “I know what?” I tilted my head. “What are you trying to say?”
“Get over here.” He hooked his thumb in my belt loop and tugged me off the stool. “I love you, Piper McKinney.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “I love you, too, Tucker Hale.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded, pure pleasure filling every part of me.
“Thank the Lord,” he whispered before kissing me.
Thank the Lord is right.