Gus spotted Dare climbing off the ATV and ran toward him in his tiny cowboy boots and shorts, dark curls bouncing around his adorable face. “Dare! Take me for a wide?”
Dare scooped him up. “Hey there, little man. I think we’d better ask your dad about that.” He lifted his chin to Gus’s tall, dark-haired single father. “You’re not hanging around for dinner?” The people who came through their programs were often estranged from their families, and the Whiskeys did everything they could to help alleviate the feeling of being alone, including eating with staff and clients, hanging out at bonfires, going on trail rides, and playing paintball. His parents were true believers in the work hard, play hard mentality, and their well-rounded approach helped. They’d become the only family some of their clients had.
“Not tonight. I promised to drop Gus off with his mom a little early.” Ezra shared custody of Gus with his ex-wife.
“Do you have time for us to take a quick spin?”
“Please, Dad?” Gus begged.
“Sure, buddy. A quick one, but listen to Dare.”
“I will!” Gus beamed at Dare as he carried him to the ATV. “Can I wear your hat?”
“You remember the rule?”
Gus nodded. “Hold on to the ATV even if the hat comes off.”
“You’ve got it, buddy.” He put Gus on the ATV and plunked his hat on his head as he climbed on behind him.
“Can we see Sasha?” Gus had a major crush on Dare’s younger sister.
Dare and Ezra shared an amused glance, and then Dare headed across the field toward the rehab barns. Sasha was walking out of the barn when they drove up. Her dirty-blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she wore jeans, a T-shirt, and her favorite maroon barn boots. Everyone in their family had their quirks. Doc was a deep thinker who kept his rascally side so tightly locked down, Dare wondered if he’d ever set it free again. Cowboy was fiercely responsible and overprotective of everyone, but he had a touch of scoundrel in him, and Dare was the rebel. Sasha was two years younger than Dare and as calm and centered as he was adrenaline-driven, but she had a sassy streak a mile wide and the quiet strength to back it up, while Birdie was their chameleon. She had a little bit of everyone in her, and she was whatever she wanted to be on any given day.
Gus waved wildly. “Hi, sugar!”
Dare laughed as he cut the engine.
“Hi, Gusto. I think you’ve been hanging out with Dare too much.” She peered under the big-brimmed hat. “How’s the cutest guy on the ranch?”
“Doing well, thanks.” Dare smirked.
Sasha gave him a deadpan look. “I heard you dropped in on Billie’s run the other day. You don’t have a shiner, so I guess she didn’t deck you.”
“Where’d you hear that?” Dare hadn’t seen Billie since Sunday, and it had taken every bit of his willpower not to stop by the bar last night or reach out by text. But he was biding his time, letting her get past her irritation from their impromptu chat.
“I was texting with Finn, and he mentioned it.”
“Who’s Finn?” Gus asked.
Dare narrowed his eyes. “Someone Sasha should be careful texting with.”
“Why?” Gus asked.
“He isn’t exactly known for being a gentleman with the ladies,” Dare answered.
“And you are?” Sasha shook her head. “Dare’s just being silly, Gus. Finn’s a really nice guy. Did you come to pick me up for dinner?”
“Uh-huh!” Gus motioned to the ATV. “Climb on, darlin’!”
“You are the cutest boy around.” As she climbed on behind Dare, she said, “What happened with Billie?”
“We’re not done talking about Finn.”
They drove back to the main house, and Ezra was sitting on the curb waiting for them.
“Well, look who’s here,” Sasha said a little too appreciatively.
Dare turned, glowering at her, and she rolled her eyes. Women were always checking out Ezra, but his ex was a bit of a nightmare, and he was all about his son and work. Dare couldn’t remember the last time Ezra had even mentioned going out with a woman.
“Watch yourself,” Dare warned. They’d instituted a strict policy against fraternizing at work years ago, after Doc had fallen for the daughter of a powerful politician while she was working at the ranch and had gotten in a heap of trouble, which Dare swore had changed his brother forever.
Sasha rolled her eyes and turned a smile on Ezra. “Hey there, Ez.”
“How’s it going, Sasha?” Ezra asked as Dare climbed off the ATV and lifted Gus off the seat.
“Our latest rescue is eating well and gaining strength, so it’s a good day.” She started to climb off the ATV.
“Wait!” Gus ran over and offered his hand.
Sasha glanced at Ezra. “Did you teach him that?”
“Dare taught me!” Gus exclaimed as she climbed off, and Dare’s hat tumbled to the ground. “He said to help girls and animals before I help myself.”
“That’s right, little man.” Dare ruffled his hair, and picked up the hat.
“Maybe he could’ve left out the part about calling them sugar,” Sasha said.
Ezra chuckled. “Let’s go, buddy, before Dare gets his butt handed to him.” Ezra took Gus’s hand. “See you tomorrow, Sash. Enjoy dinner. Dare, I’ll see you at church.”
“What the hell was that?” Dare asked as he and Sasha headed for the doors.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Sasha said with amusement.
“You’re going to get yourself into trouble. What’s the deal with Finn? Are you two hooking up?”
“Is Billie finally speaking with you again?”
“Sasha,” he warned.
“No, okay? Finn’s a friend. What about you and Billie?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” But he hoped to tip the scales in his favor.
They went inside the main house, which boasted high ceilings with exposed wooden rafters, a large two-story gathering space with couches, chairs, bookshelves, craft tables, and a massive stone fireplace. To their left were meeting rooms and offices, and to their right, the kitchen and dining area, a movie room, and more offices. The staff residences and rooms for younger clients were upstairs.
Savory smells and the din of conversation came from the dining room as Dare’s family, the ranch staff, and their clients worked together, setting the large farmhouse-style tables and bringing the food out from the kitchen.
“Smells like Dwight made your favorite barbecued chicken,” Dare said. Dwight Cornwall, their residential manager and cook, lived in the main house and oversaw their younger clients. He’d worked there since Dare was thirteen, and as a retired navy commander, he ran a tight ship.
The dining room was bustling with activity, and several men and women who worked on the ranch and a few of their clients turned to greet Dare and Sasha. Dare put a finger to his lips and snuck up behind his mother as she set napkins on the table and hugged her.
She let out a little gasp and spun around, a warm smile brightening her eyes. “Dare. You startled me, sweetheart.” She hugged him, looking as well put together as always, from her makeup and necklaces to her neatly combed blond shag and peach blouse. She preferred jeans and boots to anything else, and she was kindhearted, strong, and always had the best interest of their clients and family in mind.