the horses. Saoirse made me shovel shit. At first, I thought I was being hazed, but then she did the same thing without a word of complaint, so I sucked it up and took care of old Barney’s stall.
As my reward, Saoirse let me hand-feed him some snow peas. I was dubious when I was told they were his favorite treat, but that big, old motherfucker gobbled them right out of my hand and smiled at me, happy as a clam.
I guessed he was cool. I’d sure as hell enjoyed taking a ride on him, even if he was slow as molasses. My pride didn’t keep me from admitting—but only to myself—I would have been ass over heels on anything faster.
By the end of our two years together, I was determined to master horseback riding so I didn’t get stuck with the horse they gave to small children. And when Saoirse pointed out Ramses, Lock’s stallion, who was twice the size of Barney and looked like he could chomp my head off in a single bite, I became even more determined.
No offense to Barney, but I wanted a badass horse like Lock’s.
“Oh no.”
I whipped around to find Saoirse staring down at her phone in horror.
“What?” Knuckles under her chin, I drew her face up. “What happened?”
“My mother.”
My stomach dropped. “Is she okay?”
“She’s here.”
“Here? Where?”
“In town. She’s in Sugar Brush, demanding we have dinner with her, or she’ll come to the ranch.” Her hand shot out, clutching my arm. “I can’t let her come to the ranch. My dad… can’t be around her. He—”
“It’s fine, pretty girl.” I took her hand in mine, angry to find it trembling. This woman had screwed Saoirse up so bad her very presence made her shake. “I’m here with you. We’ll have dinner with her. I won’t let you do this alone. I promised you that, remember?”
She nodded, her eyes clouded with unshed tears. “I just really don’t want her to come here.”
“She won’t. Let’s go get cleaned up. Tell Lock what’s going on. Warn your dad if you feel like you have to. Keep it quiet if you don’t. I’m with you every step of the way. That’s our deal, right?”
It took her a second to respond. Her chin quivered even as she raised it. “Right. That’s our deal.”
Main Street of Sugar Brush, Wyoming, looked like it had stepped out of a greeting card. Glass-front mom-and-pop shops lined the street, with a few restaurants scattered in between. I rolled down the road on my bike, Saoirse wrapped tightly around my back. She pointed out the pub where we were meeting her mom.
Joy’s Elbow Room.
Cute. The whole town was.
I’d never be able to live in a place this small, but in another life, I could see myself spending long weekends here with Saoirse. That would never be us. This was what we had, so I’d take it and enjoy the hell out of the entire Saoirse experience.
I parked the bike, helping Saoirse off, as Lock pulled in beside us. The second his sister had told him their mother was in town, he’d told her he was coming with her. Elena and the kids stayed back, having dinner with Connell.
In the end, Saoirse had decided to tell her dad Lily was in town. The way he went from open and amiable to shuttered and silent told me everything Saoirse had said about her parents was true. They were broken, and she had to witness the continued crumbling of her father.
It struck me deeply. I wondered if her parents even understood what they had done to her. I didn’t think I knew a tenth of how far her pain reached, but with her shaking hand in mine, I suspected it was all the way to her core.
Lock patted his sister’s back. “It’ll be okay. We’ll deal with whatever she has to say then go have some ice cream back home.”
She listed toward him, her head hitting his shoulder. “Can we skip this and go home now?”
“Nope. Gotta face the music, kid.”
I would have recognized Lily as Saoirse’s mother without anyone telling me. Willowy and blonde, she’d passed her looks down to her daughter. She was already seated at a round, wooden table that looked like it belonged on a pirate ship, and she wasn’t alone. A slim, balding man in a navy suit rose to his feet beside her as we approached.
Saoirse turned her head, speaking lowly to me. “That’s Peter, her chief of staff.”
“He looks like a jackhole,” I muttered.
“He is.”
I squeezed her nape, then slid my hand to the small of her back, reminding her I was with her all the way.
Lily pulled Saoirse and Lock into stiff hugs—stiff on her children’s part, her embrace was firm and fierce, which took me by surprise. She offered me a warm handshake and an introduction to Peter that thankfully didn’t involve touching. I got the vibe this guy had perpetually sweaty hands.
We all sat and got ordering out of the way. Saoirse stared at her menu blindly, so I helped her pick out a burger I thought she’d like. I ordered her a beer too. She needed something to take the edge off, or she’d burst.
“So…” Lily folded her hands on the table, her gaze trailing from me to Saoirse, “I’d like to know why I had to read about your marriage in the Denver Times. Cora sent me the clipping, and I thought it was some sort of practical joke.”
I found Saoirse’s hand under the table and brought it to my thigh. She wove her fingers between mine and squeezed.
“Obviously, I’d planned to tell you, but the news got out before we expected it to. I’m sorry for that. It wasn’t intentional.”
“Your mother was very hurt,” Peter chimed in.
Lock glared at him. “Why is he here?”
Lily straightened her shoulders. “I don’t like traveling alone. Peter volunteered to come with me.”
“That doesn’t answer why he’s sitting here at this table. This doesn’t involve him. Saoirse shouldn’t have to reveal personal information in front of your employee,” Lock stated, his thick arms folded over his chest.
“Peter knows everything. In his position, he has to,” Lily answered.
“Bullshit,” Lock uttered.
“Peter isn’t family, Mother. He’s nothing more than a clinger,” Saoirse said.
Peter went crimson from his collar to his receding hairline. “Show some respect, young lady. I know that’s a foreign concept to you. All that matters is ‘living free’ or whatever you call your irresponsible life—”
I slammed my hand down on the table, possibly drawing more attention than any of us wanted, but I was past caring. This piece of shit thought he could sit here, disparaging Saoirse, and get away with it? He had a lot to learn about me if he really believed that.
“That’s enough. I will not sit here and allow you to speak to my wife that way.” I flicked my gaze to her mother. “This ends now, or I am taking my wife out of here, and in the future, you’ll have to go through me to speak to her. No one will ever disrespect her that way. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Saoirse slipped her hand from mine to press on my chest, the other curling around the back of my shoulders. “It’s okay,” she whispered next to my ear. “I’m okay.”
I turned to her, our noses grazing. “It’s not okay. You don’t have to accept that.”
She nodded. “I know, I know, it’s just easier—”
“No.”
Lily murmured something to Peter, who then shoved back from the table with a deep scowl on his face. He marched over to the bar on the other side of the room, planting himself where he could watch our table.
Asshole. I knew it at first sight.
“You have to fire that guy,” Lock gritted out. “He’s a piece of shit.”
“He’s good at his job,” Lily said softly. “But you’re right, I shouldn’t have brought him to dinner. I’m sorry, Saoirse. What he said was rooted in truth, but the cruel way he said it was unacceptable.”
“Rooted in truth?” It took a lot for my anger to rise, but these people had pressed all the right buttons. I was riled. “Excuse me for being blunt, but are you fucking kidding me, Lily? You’re telling me you think your daughter is irresponsible…why? Does she live off your dime? Beg for help from anyone? Get herself in trouble? Or does she simply make choices you wouldn’t?”
Lock grunted, which I took as agreement. Saoirse remained stiff and silent beside me.
Lily sighed. “I’m sorry this is the first time we’re meeting each other, Luca. Neither of us is being cast in the best light—”
“Neither of you?” Lock interjected. “Sorry, Mom, but that’s on you. As far as I’ve seen, all Luca has done is stand up for his wife, as he should. If you want this to continue, you’ll have to start over. Otherwise, we’re leaving.”
“You can’t leave. I flew out here for this.” She rubbed her lips together. “I’d like to see my grandchildren while I’m here.”
Lock chuffed. “We’ll see. As of right now, that’s not going to happen.”
“Oh. Well…” Lily patted her cheek, her gaze flitting over the three of us. “I think Lachlan is right. Let’s start fresh. I admit to being upset I’m the last to know about your marriage and started this meeting off on the wrong foot. I’m sorry for the way Peter spoke to you, Saoirse, and even more so, that I implied anything he said was correct.”
“It isn’t a surprise,” Saoirse said.
Her mother’s lashes lowered. “That’s incredibly unfortunate, but I know it’s my fault.” She gave us both a tentative smile. “Would you be willing to tell me about your engagement and wedding?”
Saoirse was still leaning against me, so I touched my lips to her temple and murmured next to her ear, “Anything you want, pretty girl.”
She exhaled and slipped her hand back into mine before facing her mother. “Luca has pictures. The wedding was just us, but it was beautiful.”
Saoirse went on to describe the ceremony, and I found myself listening, hanging on her every word. She wasn’t embellishing anything. She took her time explaining the little details, like the color of my suit, how she’d picked her dress, the flowers she’d carried. The setting was the highlight of her story. I passed my phone to Lily for her to scroll through the pictures the judge had taken.
She smiled as she looked. “This is very you, Sersh. You were never a poofy dress kind of girl—and never one for tradition.”
“The idea of a poofy dress makes me itchy,” Saoirse said. “We just wanted to be married. The ceremony wasn’t the important part.”
Lily passed the phone back to me and turned to her daughter. “A lot of people lose sight of that. They place too much emphasis on one day and not enough on the lifetime they’ll be spending with the other person. I’m hoping the two of you spent enough time together to really agree on what you want your life to look like.”
“We did,” I assured her. “Saoirse and I are still discovering each other. I hope that never ends. But as far as what our marriage will be, we’re in complete agreement.”
Lily squared her shoulders, looking back and forth between us. “You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, Luca. And while I’m certain you didn’t come here needing my approval, I have to say I like the way you are with my daughter.” She gave Lock a soft smile. “And having my son sit beside you tells me he likes the way you are too. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t.”
Lock made a low sound, which I took as agreement.
“You’re right. I didn’t come here seeking your approval.” I leaned forward, ensuring I had Lily’s full attention. “It would be nice for my wife to have an easier relationship with you without the constant pressure of having her choices questioned. I hope your worries ease, knowing she has my unwavering support. If they don’t, I hope you find a way to keep them to yourself.”
“Well…” Lily straightened her silverware before flicking her eyes back up to mine, “I think I’ve been properly put in my place. I would love to have an easier relationship with my daughter. With both my kids.”
Things calmed between the four of us after that. Lily asked about Caleb and Hannah, and Lock told her about Elena’s pregnancy. She seemed genuinely thrilled.
I couldn’t get a read on this woman. On the one hand, she made Saoirse stressed and worried. But on the other, there was obvious and genuine love coming from her toward her children.
The one thing I did know was the next time I saw my own mother, she was getting a big hug and “thank you.” I’d never appreciated her more than I did now.
When dinner was over, the check paid, all of us made our way toward the exit. Peter was waiting outside, keeping a safe distance.
He wasn’t a complete idiot. Only three-quarters of one.
Lily took Lock’s hand. “Can I come out to see the kids in the morning before my flight?”
He pushed his shaggy hair off his face. “I don’t think you being at the ranch is a good idea.”
“Why not? Did Connell tell you not to let me? Because if he did—”
“No, Mom.” Saoirse’s hands were balled into tight fists. “Dad would never do that, and you know it. Stop trying to draw us into whatever drama is still happening between the two of you in your mind.”
Lock clamped down on his mother’s shoulder before she could respond. “We’ll meet you at the park in the morning. I’ll text you a time,” he said calmly.
“Fine.” Lily smoothed her palm over her already tidy hair. “Will I see you too, Saoirse? Luca?”
“No,” I answered. There was no chance I’d let Saoirse put herself through more stress tomorrow. Tonight had been enough. “We have to get back home. We’ll say goodbye now.”
Everyone said their goodbyes. I shook Lily’s hand, uninterested in a hug. Lock patted me on the shoulder, giving me a look that told me he appreciated me taking care of his sister. In turn, I appreciated the hell out of him putting their mother in her place when she’d stepped out of line. It pleased me to know Saoirse had people who were wholeheartedly on her side. As of this weekend, I’d put myself in that corner too.
When I finally got Saoirse alone by my bike, I took her face in my hands. “Tell me what you need.”
Her lashes fluttered, falling to her cheeks. “Take me for a long, long ride.”
“You got it, pretty girl.” I planted a firm kiss on her forehead, then handed her her helmet. I needed this ride too. Maybe as badly as she did. My bike was where I straightened my thoughts. Worked out problems. Chose my next step.
With Saoirse at my back, her arms tight around me, long legs pressed against mine, it was the ride that mattered, and all of the rest fell away.
We drove for at least an hour before turning around and heading back to the ranch. It was past Saoirse’s bedtime when we arrived. Climbing off the bike, she stumbled slightly, but I caught her by the elbow, keeping her steady.
“Tired?” I murmured.
“Exhausted.”
We were staying in her dad’s house, which had been built in a similar log cabin style to Lock and Elena’s. The lights were off, so he must’ve been asleep already.
He was a good guy, but I was relieved not to have to deal with another parent tonight.
Our room was on the same floor as Connell’s, so we were careful to be quiet. Saoirse disappeared into the bathroom to get ready for bed while I stayed in the bedroom, shucking off my shirt and changing into pajama bottoms. I settled on the bed we’d be sharing, staring up at the ceiling.
This was supposed to be convenient. A solution to the newfound complexities in my life. But there was nothing convenient about navigating family. Even mine, which was pretty damn functional.
We shouldn’t have gotten married. That much was clear—and had been since day one. But I was in this now, and I didn’t take my commitments lightly.
I’d stick by my vows and promises.
And I’d hope now that everything was out in the open, things would smooth out, and I wouldn’t have to put so much thought into this marriage. We could go about our lives as we’d agreed to in the beginning. Helping each other when needed, lightening the load.
But even with all my regrets, I couldn’t say I regretted being here with Saoirse or standing between her and her mother. It’d needed to happen.
The bathroom door opened, and I sat up, ready to take my turn, when I got a look at the woman who walked out.
She’d changed out of her jeans into a short, flowy nightgown with straps so thin, they were barely more than floss.
“What are you wearing?” I barked lowly.
She stopped in her tracks, pressing her folded clothes to her middle. “My pajamas. Why?”
“Is that what you always wear to bed?”
“Yes, Luca. Either this or shorts and a tank. Why are you looking at me like I have three heads?”
“Jesus, Saoirse.” I strode up to her, took her nape in my hand. “I have patience for days, but there is going to come a time when it snaps. You are stretching it paper thin by standing in front of me in lingerie, your nipples trying to poke a hole in the thin material barely long enough to cover your pussy and ass, looking like you have no idea what effect you have on me.”
Her lips parted, a breathy little pant gusting out. I had to let go of her and walk away before I did something stupid.
Like fuck the hell out of my wife in her father’s house.
