Star nickers, leaning into my touch. She’s pretty gentle for a rescue. Bad conditions brought her to us from a rundown ranch in the next county over, but she’s been settling in well. It’s how we like to do things: we bring in horses who haven’t seen the best conditions, we retrain and socialise them, then they go off to better places.
Although, with the way the ranch is growing, I have considered whether we should hold onto a few horses. We could offer trail rides to guests while they’re here. We have a few trails off the property that go towards the mountain that are only maintained by a few of us who ride regularly.
Well, the few of us who ride and the kids who demand to come, too.
When I finish with Star and the few other horses in our care, I step out into the warming fall air and sigh. There’s still a bite of cold, but it isn’t too bad. Mist covers the peaks of the Jade Mountain, which has become the drawing point of the wedding venue.
My cell buzzes in my pocket, drawing me out of my thoughts. I tear my eyes off the mountain to pull my phone out. First, there’s a text, but before I can read it, a call comes through from one of my favourite ladies.
I grin when I answer. “Iris. Baby. How are you?”
The elderly woman scoffs. “They hired a new nurse for me,” she growls. “A young one. Josie is on maternity leave until after the new year. Poor girl. That awful boyfriend of hers walked out. And?—”
“And what’s wrong with a new, young nurse?” I ask, stepping away from the stable. Miss Iris, the old owner of our town’s favourite bar, Daisy’s, is now residing in an assisted living facility just outside of town. I became her favourite Sterling brother years ago after a particularly bad night of drinking with a couple of old veterans who left me to my alcohol poisoning in the dead of winter.
Well, I like tothinkI’m her favourite brother, though who knows with her.
Iris shuffles like she’s moving away from the source of her dissent. “She’s too young.”
I frown. “That just means she’s spry.”
I don’t know whattoo youngmeans to her, because when Josie entered the picture, she’d beentoo youngtoo at twenty-five. But who am I to argue? It’s not me in charge of her care.
It’s up to her warden—aka, the head of the facility, who Iris now has an issue with, too. Seems since she gave up the keys to Daisy’s Barlast year, she’s been complaining about everything. But I do my best to listen to her. I know it’s more about feeling lonely than actually disliking her new home.
“Hey,” I say, butting into her rant about the food, “how about I swing by this afternoon? Maybe get you out of there for a date?”
Iris chuckles, maybe the first bright sound out of her mouth since she called me. “Wouldn’t that be nice. You’d have to ask the warden.”
“Eh, warden be damned. I’ll sneak you out if I have to.”
“Try your luck,” she replies. “That new nurse is apparently a stickler for rules. She’s not from here, you know. Doesn’t know about that Sterling charm.”
“Oh, with my charm and good looks, I’m sure she’ll even help us escape,” I tease, only half kidding. I don’t know why I’m intrigued about this new-to-town nurse. Lots of new faces arrive and leave just as quickly, so I haven’t been all that interested about the goings of the town. Not like I’ve had the time to.
“She’s just walked in,” Iris hisses. “I have to go. Be a good boy and come visit.”
I laugh, shaking my head as I turn back to the stables. “Anything for you, Iris.”
From the other end, I catch the new nurse’s voice. “Good morning, Miss Iris.” She doesn’t soundthatyoung, but she does have a sweetness to her tone that automatically makes me want to listen.
Iris sighs dramatically. “I’ll see you later.” Before I can respond, she hangs up.
A small part of me wishes I’d gotten a chance to hear the girl speak again.
“What was that about?” Casper asks, appearing in the doorway of the barn.
I glance up, shrugging. “Oh, you know, just making sure my favourite lady is doing okay.”
Casper rolls his eyes. “Which one?” He crosses his arms, leaning against the opening.
“You know, if you’re jealous, just say it.” I know he isn’t, but the darkening of his eyes and the clenching of his jaw tells me he’s done with my shit. I guess that’s what happens when we’re polar opposites—except for the horse thing. I think that’s the only reason why we’re as close as we are.
I’m more on thefreeside of things. Meanwhile, Casper is a stick in the mud. He’s got the same broody demeanour as our older brothers, which is absolutely no fun at all.
I shove my cell into my pocket. “Sorry, bro, but I have a date this afternoon. Can’t be late.”
Casper says something under his breath as I pass, but I ignore him. Something within me is a little too excited to lock eyes on this new nurse caring for Iris. And that screams trouble for me.
