Wild Hearts (19 page)

I piled plates on my arm. “Oh, my God. Logan! Only Amy knows that we're dating! I lied to my mom and it's obvious that my dad doesn't know. Should I sneak out a back door or something?”

Logan seemed to freeze for a second. “No,” he said, snapping out of his thoughts. “You should meet him. I'd planned to tell him before tonight so that he wasn't surprised, but this is how it is.”

I moved to the sink and helped Logan rinse the dishes, my hands shaking. I was about to face the man that had caused so much trouble when we had first arrived in town. The kitchen door opened.

“Hey, Dad,” Logan said. I put down the dish towel, unsure for a second whether to smile or frown at the tall, tanned man
with day-old stubble and short hair. “I didn't think you would be home this early.”

His dad unlaced heavy work boots, leaving them by the door. “Trevor said he would finish up tonight,” Mr. McCoy said.

“Dad.” Logan took a step so he was beside me. He reached down and took my hand. “We haven't really had time to talk lately and I'm sorry to spring this on you. This is my girlfriend, Brie.”

I smiled, nodding, and
whaat?!

I looked at Logan, my eyes wide. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. If Logan had saved the girlfriend card purposefully for this moment to shift my focus, he had done the perfect job.

“Hi,” I said, stepping forward and offered him my slightly shaking hand. “I'm Brie. Um, Brie Carter.”

Mr. McCoy stared at me for what felt like an hour. He hated me. He didn't like that I was in his house. Wait a second . . . he was
smiling.
He took my hand and pumped it warmly.

“Hi, Brie, I'm Jack, Logan's father. It's nice to meet you.”

Panic whooshed out of me and I grinned back. “It's good to meet you, too, Mr. McCoy.”

Was I selling out Dad by liking Mr. McCoy?

Logan's father shook his head. “None of that ‘Mr.' or ‘sir' stuff. Just call me Jack.”

“Okay.” I paused and struggled to say his first name. “Jack.”

“Did you make a good roast, son?” he asked Logan as he peered into our empty pots. He placed a hand on Logan's shoulder.

“Sure did,” Logan said, taking a covered plate out of the fridge. “I'll heat this for you.”

“Thanks. I'm going to take a shower. I'll be back down to eat and share dessert with you kids, if that's okay. Brie, I want to get to know you better.” Jack smiled as he headed out of the kitchen.

When I was sure Jack was gone, I turned to Logan and threw my arms around him. “Oh, my God. One of our parents knows we're dating. You called me your
girlfriend.
”

“I think that title was way overdue,” Logan said. “And my dad loved you.”

“I blinded him with my awesomeness,” I said, teasing. “He forgot that he probably has my dad's face on his dart board.”

Logan laughed. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him. “Just remember that even if he
does
bring up the horses—all is quiet at your dad's job site right now. Plus, you're here with me on a date. You didn't come to talk about the mustangs.”

I nodded. “I completely agree. I'm with
you.
Not your dad.”

 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.

“So, you've really lived all over the place, huh?” Jack asked, smiling at me.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin after finishing the apple pie Logan had pulled out of the fridge for dessert. Jack really seemed interested in getting to know me and had asked a lot of thoughtful questions. His blue-gray eyes, though different from Logan's, had the same ability to make me feel as if I was the most important person in the room when I spoke.

“Yes,” I said, sipping my water. “Oh, and a houseboat in Utah for a couple of months. We were on Lake Powell.”

Jack laughed and shook his head. The three of us had been talking for over half an hour. The more time I spent with Jack, the more comfortable he made me. He had Logan's charm, serious side and funny side, and passion when he talked about his job. He worked his ranch during the day and did bookkeeping
for a sheep farm down the road on the weekends. As if that wasn't enough, he also worked nights planting and harvesting seasonal crops. He valued hard work over everything else, but I caught him peeking at Logan and saw nothing but pride on his face. I thought of Holden and how beyond lucky he was to grow up with McCoy men.

Jack revealed that he'd only been a couple of states away from home, so, like Logan, he encouraged me to tell them stories about my different moves.

“What's one of your favorite places where you've lived?” Jack asked.

“Brooklyn,” I said immediately. “I was around thirteen and was able to convince my parents to let me ride the train by myself a couple of times. I loved it there.”

“What about Manhattan?” Logan asked.

I scrunched my nose. “It wasn't my favorite. Too busy and loud. Times Square was the worst! I think I
still
see neon lights sometimes from all the billboards that I saw there.”

Logan grinned. “When my cousins came to visit us last year, they said they couldn't get the farm smell out of their hair for a week after staying with us.”

We all laughed.

“Brie,” Jack said. “I wanted to get to know you a little and I'm so glad that I did. You're a smart young lady and your parents should be very proud.”

I looked down, then back at Jack. “Thank you.”

“I think it's best for all of us to address the white elephant in the room,” Jack said.

My smile slipped and my heart thudded in my chest.

“Dad,” Logan said. “Do we have to do this
now
? Brie knows how you feel. And how I feel about the horses and the loss of land. She has no control over what her father or anyone does.”

Under the table, I felt a hand touch mine. I unclenched my fist and held Logan's hand.

“Oh no, Brie,” Jack said, looking at me. “Please don't think for a second that I don't like you because of your father's work. I know he didn't come to town with a hidden vendetta against the people who live here. Business is business—that I understand.”

I nodded, staying silent.

“I don't have anything personal against your dad,” Jack said. “I care about Lost Springs and the horses.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I respect your feelings and I do see your side of the issue.” I looked at Logan and there was a tiny smile on his face. He gave me the slightest nod. “But Logan and I aren't involved in this. Logan and I aren't taking sides. Our side is the mustangs.”

Jack took a sip of Coke from his glass and put it down in front of himself. He folded his hands on the table. “You are wise beyond your years. My son is very lucky to have met you.”

I smiled, squeezing Logan's hand. I stayed for another half an hour or so and Jack didn't bring up the horses or the land again. He had said his piece and I'd said mine. Now that Logan and I were officially out as a couple, I had to tell my
parents. I didn't want them to hear it, somehow, from anyone else.

Logan and I cleared the table and I said good night to Jack. Logan opened the truck's passenger door for me and we got back in his truck. The second our doors slammed shut, he was pulling me toward him. I twisted in the seat and in the pale moonlight, my mouth found his.

“You were so great,” he said. He trailed kisses from my ear down my neck. I shivered and ran my fingers through his hair.

“I'm so relieved,” I said, trying to catch my breath. Logan's feather-light kisses on the top of my shoulder made it nearly impossible. “I'm actually glad he came home early tonight,” I managed to get out.

Logan looked at me and held both of my hands. “Me, too. I was so proud to introduce you to him. Honestly, ‘proud' doesn't cover it. I can't tell you how great it is to have an amazing girlfriend like you.”

“That was so sweet, thank you,” I said. I kissed him lightly. “I'm so glad that your dad didn't look at me like someone from the enemy camp.”

“He told you—he knows you have nothing to do with your dad's business.”

“I just know my dad. It's not going to be as easy with him. I'll have to talk to him before you do. I'm too nervous for us to both be there.”

Logan started his truck and circled the driveway and headed for the road.

“My only concern is you,” Logan said. “I don't like the idea of you facing your dad alone.”

“I know you'd be there if I asked you,” I said. “But I
have
to do it this way. Especially now that someone stirred up trouble about the horses a few days ago.”

We reached my driveway in what felt like seconds. Logan shifted into park and let the truck idle. He turned to face me.

“Whatever you decide—it's going to be okay,” he said.

I looked into his eyes and the moonlight cast shadows on his face. It wasn't often that he didn't wear his hat. I leaned forward, kissed him, and ran my fingers through his hair.

We kissed for a little while before Logan's truck started to make angry sounds.

“Uh, I better let you get home,” I said.

“I think you're right,” Logan said as he leaned over and adjusted my necklace. “So, I'm going to be busy on Sunday.”

Trying not to look disappointed, I nodded. “Oh,” I said. “What's going on?”

“I've got to shear about five hundred sheep and Holden's too little to do much.”

“Wow, five hundred,” I said.

“I don't want you to feel pressured at all because it really is
tough
work, but do you want to come help?”

“Definitely!” I said. I'd never even seen a sheep up close. “What should I wear?”

Logan grinned. “I'd wear old jeans and a ratty T-shirt. You'll get oily when you hold them. Plus, it's supposed to be unseasonably warm tomorrow, I heard.”

“I can really help you?” I wasn't afraid to, but I didn't want to disappoint Logan with my sheep-wrangling skills.

“Really,” he confirmed. “Can you get over to my house around seven a.m.?”

I nodded. “I'll be there.”

“Good.” And with that, Logan kissed me again. The kiss made my face warm. Logan cupped his hand under my chin and his fingers were cool on my flushed skin. We pulled apart and I smiled at him.

“Bye,” I said softly. My fingers fumbled on the door handle.

“Sunday.” He smiled. “'Night.”

Once in my room, I flipped on my lights. Logan could see the light from the road. He always waited until he knew I was safe inside. I opened the balcony door and stepped out. I watched his cracked taillight disappear down the stretch of road, and then I went into the living room. Mom and Dad were parked on the couch with the lights off as they watched some old Jane Allen flick.

“Hey, hon,” Mom said, waving me over. She flipped on the lamp and got a glimpse of my face. “Good night with Amy, huh?” she asked with a smile.

“Great night. We had so much fun,” I said. I settled on the recliner and laid the chair all the way back. If I tried to make it upstairs, my knees would buckle.

“Popcorn?” Dad asked, passing the bowl in my direction.

Wordlessly, I took the bowl of kettle corn and watched the movie. I barely heard the film's dialogue because I was too busy reliving tonight in my head. Old Brie, full of standoffishness and zero friends on speed dial had vanished. New Brie
didn't think about moving, perpetually looking forward to the next adventure.