I find Richard and Garrett in the barn, deep in conversation. Richard is gently brushing down one of the horses, his hand moving in long, soothing strokes along her flank. The horse shifted slightly, but was relaxed and content. Garrett is leaning against the stall door playing with a rope.
Clearing my throat, I step into the barn. “Hope I’m not interrupting,” I say. Garrett’s head turns towards me, and I see Richard looking up as I approach, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Richard pauses his grooming and lays the brush down, stepping forward, and he extends a hand. “Colton,” he said, his voice a low rumble, his grip firm and warm. “It’s good to see you, son. About time you made your way to see me.”
Hearing the warmth in his voice made me wince. I nod to both of them before giving my attention to Richard. “Richard, I… I’m sorry,” I said, the words catching in my throat. “I know I should’ve been here sooner.”
“I’m sure you have your reasons, Colton.” He’d always treated me like family, like a son, and the genuine affection in his voice made theguilt gnaw at me even harder.
“I thought so, sir. But lately I’m not so sure.”
His gaze meeting mine, he says, “Look son, I know you already talked to the Mrs., and I know this knucklehead here,” he nods towards Garrett, who rolls his eyes, “along with my youngest son, already gave you the third degree, so I’m not about to do that. But, I wouldn’t be doing my job as a father if I didn’t say something.”
“I understand sir,” I said. “I deserve it.”
He nodded his head as he continued, his gaze hardening slightly. “Nothing could excuse hurting my little girl.” He paused, patting the horse’s neck, before returning his focus to me. “You know, I never served, so I can’t pretend to understand what you went through over there. But I remember my mom and gram always saying how my dad and granddad came back different. War changes a man. I get it. I’m here if you need me. If you want to talk, or hell, maybe just sit and have a beer in silence, I can do that too. Just don’t hurt my little girl again. Understand?”
“I understand,” I said, my voice firm. “That was never my intention, Richard. And it never will be. And I’d love to have that beer with you sir.”
“Any time son, you know where to find me. Now,” He paused, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “What can I do for ya? Can’t imagine you just came to hang out with an old man,” he chuckled.
Garrett snorted, pushing himself off the stall. “Yeah, Dad, you’re about as exciting as watching paint dry.”
Richard rolled his eyes, a chuckle escaping him. “You’d be surprised son, both of you youngins’ would be, to know just how exciting this old man once was. Just ask your mom,” he said with a smirk and a laugh,which earned a laugh from me and a groan from Garrett. “Jesus, Dad.”
Once Richard stopped laughing, he asked, ”Alright, Colton, what’s on your mind?”
Clearing my throat, “I did want to talk to you about something.”
He listened while I explained my idea, the horseback riding program, the potential benefits for the kids, the ways it could help the community.
“That’s a good idea, Colton. A damn good idea,” he said, nodding slowly, a smile forming from ear to ear, Garrett laughing next to him. “But you know, I’m not the one who’s in charge of that sort of thing.”
I internally groaned. “Let me guess, Ember.”
Both guys nod their heads, while continuing to laugh.
“I guess there’s no way one of you could talk to her?” I ask.
Both just laugh some more before Richard shakes his head as he starts to leave the barn, he pats me on the shoulder as he passes and says, “Welcome home, son. And be sure to find me for that beer. I’m sure you’ll need it.”
Garrett and I watch Richard exit the barn before Garrett takes a seat on the bale of hay. “Owen told me about your little chat yesterday,” he said, his voice holding a little humor. “This horseback riding program, is this part of your grand plan to win Ember’s trust again?”
I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. “It’s part of an effort to make things right,” I admit, meeting his gaze. “With everyone. But it’s also something I need to do for myself. And something I want to do for the kids.”
Garrett nodded slowly. “Look, I know I’m not Cade,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “But he’s not here right now. So… if you need to talk, Colton, about anything… I’m here. You’re not alone.”
A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me. Part of me wanted to keep everything buried deep inside, hidden away in that tiny little box no one would find, and to pretend the past didn’t exist. But another part, desperately wanted to finally get it all out. I wrestled with the decision, the words caught in my throat.Should I tell him? Can I even put it into words?The images flashed through my mind. The explosion, the screams, the faces of my fallen brothers.It’s time,I thought, the realization hitting me with the force of a physical blow.It’s time to get it out.
Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath before I opened them again. I looked at Garrett. “Ok.”
Chapter 14
Colton
The scorching sun beat down on the dusty road, the sweat was dripping down my back, making my shirt stick to my skin.
We were in the lead Humvee, a convoy heading back to base after a routine patrol. We were all hot, miserable, and desperately wanting a shower. The windows were all rolled down, but I could still hear Johnson humming some awful country tune, his head bobbing to the rhythm as he drove. Riley and Miller were in the back, Riley had his eyes intently scanning the road around us, watching our surroundings. While Miller, the youngest of us, only 18, and the funniest of anyone I’d known, was sitting next to Riley flipping through his magazine. I was in front, also watching the roadside, scanning for anything out of place. It was a quiet day, too quiet.
