After months of getting two pairs of puppy-dog eyes, I finally gave in and let Penny ride with Emmett. He’s one of the rare few I’d ever trust with my sister’s safety, so it’s not like I had too much ground to stand on to protest. But seeing her out there, a beaming smile on her lips, her laughter carried by the wind, I’m happy that she has this moment. That she has Emmett, period.
“He’s so good to her. I don’t think I could have asked for a better boyfriend even if I tried.”
“You guys doing okay?”
“We are.” I nod, a small smile curling my lips. Thinking about Emmett always brings a smile to my face. We’ve been inseparable since we got together, but I couldn’t imagine it being any other way. “The school year has barely started, but it’s going to be a busy one, between turning in our applications for college, my job, and Emmett’s football.”
Last year, shortly after Mom left for California, this time for good, it seems, I was sitting at the diner talking to Mrs. Letty when she asked me if I’d like to work for her part-time. Since then, I’ve been working there a few afternoons a week.
Mom, well, she’s been in California since last fall. We talk occasionally, although it’s been far from easy. A little part of me still hates her for keeping Bradley a secret, but the rational part of me understands that it’s just the way she is. I can either accept it and move on or remove her from my life. And I can’t do that, because I can see that Penny, although happy here, misses her. The last time we heard from her, she actually seemed happy since she got a supporting role in some sitcom.
“Any idea where you want to go yet?” Bradley asks casually.
I know he’s been wondering about it but had tried not to ask too many questions because I didn’t want to look too far in the future.
No matter how much I tried, a small part of me is still afraid of people leaving. And the idea of going to college terrifies me.
What if Emmett and I don’t get into the same school? What if we end up thousands of miles apart? I don’t think I’d be able to take it.
Emmett and I have become inseparable, and I can’t imagine not seeing him every single day.
The familiar fear rises in my throat, asphyxiating me. Inhaling through my nose, I force my lips to part, my tongue sliding out to wet the dry flesh.
“I have a few ideas.”
“Really? I didn’t…”
The sound of a steady trot grows louder, and Emmett pulls Thunder to a stop by the fence.
“Hey there, Bradley! What brings you here?”
I shield my eyes and slowly work my way up to meet Emmett’s eyes. Between helping his dad on the ranch and keeping up with his football conditioning, he’s added some muscle over the summer, but he looks even bigger sitting on top of the horse, his strong arm wrapped protectively around my sister’s middle.
“Just came here to say hi. Looking good out there, Penny.”
“Thank you, Bradley. I’m really enjoying it, and Thunder is a good boy, aren’t you?” she coos, nuzzling her face into the horse’s mane.
“Penny’s been an amazing student.” Emmett grins proudly. “You wanna give it a try, Kitty?”
I look at the beast of an animal standing in front of me. “Yeah, I think not.”
“It’s not that scary.” Penny rolls her eyes. Now that she’s gotten on the horse, she’s determined I do the same. I, however, don’t share her obsession with the animals since I don’t have any desire to break my neck anytime soon. “Besides, Emmett will take good care of you.”
“You hear, Kitty? I’m going to take very good care of you.”
“I’m good, really. But you two enjoy.”
“Party pooper.” Emmett pouts. “What do you say, Penny? Wanna go try jumping next?”
“What?” I shriek. He can’t be serious, can he? Because that most definitely was not part of our deal.
“Yes!” Penny claps excitedly. “Let’s do it.”
Like hell.
“Emmett Santiago, you better not—”
Bradley chuckles, reminding me we’re not alone. “I guess I’ll leave you to it.”
I sigh and turn to face him. “Talk later?”
“Tomorrow morning?”
“Same time, same place.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I look over my shoulder at Penny and Emmett galloping away. From the corner of my eye, I see Bradley move. He places his hand on my shoulder and gives me a quick squeeze. “Don’t be too hard on him, okay?”
“We’ll see about that.”
EMMETT
“Are you cold?” I look down at Kate as a shiver runs through her body.
“Nah, it’s oka—” she starts to protest, but before she can finish, I’m already taking off my plaid shirt and draping it over her shoulders.
“What about you?”
“I figured you’d know by now that I’m running hot.”
I throw my hand over her shoulder and pull her into my side. She snuggles tightly against me, her arms wrapping around my middle. “True. Every time you hug me, I get all toasty. Do you think I could request it as a standard room temperature?”
I chuckle. “I don’t think it works that way, darlin’.”
“Well.” She pouts. “Talk about a bummer.”
This time I can’t help but laugh. She’s so cute when she gets this way.
In silence, we walk the rest of the way to the pond. Mom offered to drive Penny home after dinner so Kate and I could have a moment alone together.
I love that my parents embraced both Kate and Penny like they’re their own daughters. They both come to the ranch often, and sometimes even their aunt and Bradley join us all for dinner. Just last week, Kate and Penny helped Mom bake cookies for the ranch hands for our annual end of the summer party.
When we get to the pond, we get down on the dock, scooting our legs over the edge. I open the blanket I’ve been carrying to wrap it around us, and Kate snuggles into my side, resting her head on my shoulder.
I lean down, placing my lips on top of her head in a gentle kiss, and inhale her sweet apple scent that’s become as familiar as my own.
“What are you thinking about?”
She’s been quiet since early this afternoon, but I didn’t want to ask her about it in front of my parents and her sister.
“Things.”
“What kind of things?”
“Future.”
Her voice is so soft it’s barely a whisper.
“What about the future?” I ask softly. My finger slides under her chin, and I turn her head toward me so I can look into her eyes. I don’t like the distant tone I can hear in her voice. The one she used in the beginning, just after she got here.
“What’s going to happen next year.” Those blue eyes of hers are distant and unfocused as she says the words. Her tongue darts out, sliding over her lip. “When we go to college.”
Everything in me stills. We haven’t talked much about the future. I know thinking too far in advance unsettles her, and I… well, there is nothing for me to think about. I know what’s in my future. What’s in our future.