Page 70

I swallow down the panic to shout back. “Great job, Caity-cat. You’re killing it!” I look (glare) at Cane in the hopes that he sees the mama-bear warning to keep her safe, and his mustache twitches, clearly fighting a laugh. I’m starting to understand why he suggests parents don’t watch the first lesson.

“Who’s the cowboy?” Fallon asks.

Piper snorts. “That’s not a cowboy. It’s just Cane.”

“He’s literally wearing a cowboy hat.”

It’s hard to argue with Fallon there. “Cane and his mom own this place.”

“Cain? Like the Bible?”

“No, it’s short for Hurricane,” I tell her and Fallon blinks.

“Are you fucking with me?”

“Afraid not. You see why he goes by Cane, now.”

Fallon whistles. “Damn. You know, I might hate horses but I certainly wouldn’t mind taking a ride with horse-daddy, if you know what I mean.”

Killian wasn’t kidding when he said Piper reminded him of Fallon. “No, Fallon, not at all. Maybe be a little less subtle next time. He’s in his forties, by the way. Not that I, of all people, am judging, but just a heads-up.”

Fallon shrugs but doesn’t take her eyes off Cane. “Older just means they know what they’re doing.”

“That is not Scar’s experience,” Piper says, laughing. I whip my head toward her, eyes wide, and she goes silent as she realizes what she’s said. “Oh, my god. I’m so sorry. I forgot who my audience was.”

Fallon looks mildly nauseous. “I could’ve gone my whole life without hearing that. Although, I guess, if we’re talking about it”—she shudders—“what the hell did you see in him?”

“On the first night, he was there, he was interested, and I figured I had nothing to lose. And when I had Caitlin, I was postpartum, vulnerable, and I just wanted her to have her dad. My dad was the best, growing up, and my parents are still so in love. I wanted her to have that. Obviously, it didn’t work out that way,” I add with a wry smile.

Fallon just sighs and shakes her head. “Fuck men. But him most of all.”

Her words are angry, but her voice is sad. Disappointed. I can’t imagine finding out my dad had been unfaithful to my mom, let alone finding out he’d had a relationship with someone younger than me. I know Dom has never been Dad of the Year, but still. It can’t be easy for her.

“I’m sorry. This has to be really shitty for you.”

She shrugs. “He’s shown us who he is time and time again, but it never seems to sink in. I still call, even though he doesn’t pick up half the time. One day, I’m going to ask him to walk me down the aisle, and inevitably end up upset because he doesn’t show, and Killian will step in to save the day. It’s what they always do: Dad fucks up; Killian steps up. I’m used to it. Sorry, I didn’t mean to trauma dump. I blame the proximity of the horses.”

The conversation lightens as Piper asks Fallon how her hatred of horses started, but I’m still stuck on something she said.

Dad fucks up; Killian steps up.

Is that what’s happening here? Am I just another one of his dad’s mistakes that he feels some sense of duty to? I don’t doubt how much he cares for a second, but the last thing I want is for him to feel any kind of obligation to me or the kids. I want him here because he wants to be here—and because I like having him here.

This is just another thing for the never-ending list of conversations we need to have, but it’s been a long week. We can afford to let things settle for a little while and enjoy each other’s company, before we have to tackle this.

I tune back into Caitlin’s lesson as she trots over to us with the widest smile I think I’ve ever seen on her face. I pull out my phone and snap a quick picture to send to Killian. Cane hasn’t left her side for the whole lesson, and he keeps up with the horse’s slow trot with ease.

“Look at you go, Caity-cat. You look amazing up there,” I say as they stop by the window. “Did you have fun?”

“So much fun. I want to do this all the time!” Cane helps her down, and she gently hugs the horse. “Thanks for letting me ride you, Banshee.”

I gape at Cane. “You put my kid on a horse named Banshee?”

“She’s much calmer than her name suggests.”

One of Cane’s ranch hands comes to lead Banshee away and smiles at Caitlin. “You want to help me untack and rub her down?”

Caitlin’s eyes light up. “Can I, Mama?”