Dare Me(79)

“You were in a long time ago,” he says meaningfully, squeezing my shoulder.

Brent has told me time and again how thankful he is that Saige has me. I know that I’m truly the lucky one, but nothing pleases me more than knowing that our relationship has her family’s blessing.

“Can’t wait to make it official,” I say, feeling anxious just at the thought.

He gives me a quick nod as Saige shows her ring to her mom, tilting her hand back and forth under the patio lights.

Brenda walks over to me, her eyes misty, and pulls me into a tight hug. “Thank you for making her so happy,” she whispers.

I don’t reply. Because the truth is, she’s made me happy; she’s healed me. In finding Saige, I’ve learned to let go of my past just as she’s learning to let go of hers. We can’t hold ourselves responsible for the sins of our fathers and that has been the largest hurdle I’ve had to overcome.

As the sun goes down, we all enjoy the last few minutes of this gorgeous fall day outside, and for the first time ever, I’m at peace, and happy with everything in my life.



“How are you feeling?” I ask Saige as she finally begins to wake up.

She shrugs and moans but doesn’t say anything.

“I think it’s important you’re there,” I tell her, sitting up and leaning back against the headboard.

“It’s just a barn,” she grunts, pulling her pillow over her head.

I rub her back. “It’s more than just a barn, Saige. Some of your best childhood memories and some of your worst happened in that barn. You’ve been struggling for years to let go of your grief. When that wood comes down, I hope your pain is replaced with all the good things you remember about that barn.” She stills as I talk. “Brent told me about your first pony, Cupcake. How you’d sit in that little stall and talk to her until they’d drag you into the house.” I see her shoulders relax.

“And about all the hours you spent brushing the horses and the bonding with them in that barn?”

She still doesn’t reply.

“I’ll be there with you, Saige. I’ll be right there holding your hand.” I’ll always be there. I need her to know that.

“Promise?” She mumbles from under the pillow.

“Promise.”

She pulls the pillow from her head and rolls over. She presses her hand to my chest and looks at me. “You have the best heart, Holt Hamilton.”

I grin. “We’re a team, future Mrs. Hamilton.”

“I can’t wait,” she whispers with a smile.

“Come on.” I smack her ass. “Let’s do this.”

She grumbles but pulls herself out of bed and drags herself into the bathroom to get ready.



Saige paces back and forth over the same ten-foot patch of grass, chewing on her thumbnail as the large tractors move into place. I can see her chest rising and falling with each heaving breath.

“Saige, come here.” I’m sitting on one of the plush patio chairs, and I pat the chair next to me. She sighs loudly and tosses herself down into the chair. “You okay?”

Her eyebrows are pinched together, and her focus is trained on Brent, who is standing down next to the barn, talking to the general contractor who will rebuild the structure.

“I don’t know,” she finally answers me.

“I think this is going to be a good thing. New beginnings. Sometimes we have to leave the past there . . . in the past, so that we’re able to move forward.” I reach over and squeeze her hand.

As the group of men disperse, moving back to their tractors, Saige jumps up from her chair and jogs down the small hill toward Brent. She hollers something, and Brent turns around. I sit up straight, pausing as I wait to see what’s happening. Brent places his hands on her shoulders and, with a nod, he steps back.

Saige shakes both of her hands next to her sides and begins to walk toward the large barn door. She pulls one of the large doors open and stands frozen in place. Brent jogs up behind her and opens the other door, turning around to look at me just as I stand up and trek down to meet them.

Saige turns around, our eyes locking for a moment before she spins on her heel and steps into the barn. A flood of emotions takes over me as I watch her disappear into the darkness. My heart thrums with worry.

I approach Brent, who keeps his eyes trained on her inside the barn but holds out his hand to stop me from coming any closer.

“Give her a minute,” he says quietly.

I’m able to see over his shoulder. Saige is standing next to one of the empty horse stalls. She stares down at the ground, and her shoulders begin to shake. I try to step around Brent, but he holds out his arm, stopping me.

“Just hold on,” he says. “She needs to do this.”

“I know, but—” I stop when I see her turn around and begin walking back toward us. It’s killing me to see her in pain.

She steps out, her pink cheeks wet with tears. Then she walks past us, her hands shoved into her coat pockets. As she finally passes us, she mumbles over her shoulder, “Tear it down.”

Brent looks at me before signaling the guys to proceed with demolition. I glance anxiously after Saige, wondering if she’ll ever be okay.

“Give her a bit,” Brent tells me. “She needs a little time.”