Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(17)

Kai leaned into my side, and I stroked his back. “We’re good. Let’s get the crew fed, and then I’ll get you some breakfast.”

He panted in agreement.

I worked on autopilot, loading feed into the stalls. The practice helped clear away the worst of the dream and reinforced the locks on that box of memories. By the time I’d let the horses out into the pastures, I was back in control.

I whistled for Kai, and he came running. Just as I was about to motion him towards the house, my phone buzzed. I frowned. It was a little after seven. The only person who’d call at this time was Lor, but it wasn’t her. It was an alert for the gate.

I pulled up the camera. An old truck on its last legs appeared, and I saw a familiar teen behind the wheel. “Aidan?” I greeted.

He jolted slightly. “Uh, hey, Mr. Bishop. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

I studied the camera angles. There was no sign of his father, but his little brother, Elliott, sat in the cab’s backseat. I hesitated for a moment, calculating the risk. Images flashed in my mind. Elliott jumping at his father’s raised voice. Aidan shielding his little brother with his body. “Sure. Follow the road to the barn.”

I hit the button for the gate. It was dumb. Monumentally stupid. But I was doing it anyway. What had gotten into me, inviting Shiloh to live here and now letting a kid I didn’t know drive in? Lor had spoken to her contact at the sheriff’s office, and, supposedly, they were investigating Kenny. I didn’t have high hopes.

After a few moments, the rusted, red truck appeared. Aidan slowed to a stop and got out. Then, he opened the back door for his brother. Elliott jumped down, his eyes wide as he took in the property and horses around him. I saw his mouth form a word. Wow.

Aidan took his hand and walked towards me. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I hope it’s not too early, but I have to get Elliott to school by quarter to eight.”

My mouth pulled down in a frown. Why the hell wasn’t his dad driving him? “I’ve been up for a few hours.”

He nodded.

“How can I help you?”

Aidan’s gaze moved to the pasture where the horses were grazing. “I didn’t know who you were when you came to our house, but I pieced together your name on the card my dad ripped up. I, uh, I’ve heard about what you do with horses. I was wondering if you needed any help.”

My eyes narrowed as I studied the boy in front of me. “Your dad send you over here?”

Aidan’s gaze snapped back to me. “What? No. He has no idea I’m here.”

I read nothing but the truth in his words. And my damn traitorous heart tugged as I took in the skinny kid. “Why do you want to work here?”

He swallowed hard but didn’t look away. “I could use the money, and…” His jaw worked back and forth as he struggled to find the words he wanted. “I’d like to learn how to help horses like you do.”

Hell. In for a penny, in for a pound. “You know how to muck stalls and groom?”

Aidan nodded.

“Can you show up on time?”

“Yes, sir. I, uh…”

“What?”

He glanced at Elliott. “I watch my brother after school. Is it okay if he hangs out while I work?”

Double hell. This was a horrible idea, yet I found myself saying, “That’s fine.”

“When should I start?”

“Day after tomorrow.” Because Shiloh was moving in today, and one universe-altering event a day was enough for me.





7





SHILOH





Me: Can you trailer Sky for me today?

I stared down at my phone, waiting for Hadley to reply. I usually used one of the trailers on the ranch, but I wasn’t sure my parents would be keen on letting me borrow it when they found out about my plans.

Hadley: Sure. When do you need me?

Me: How about now?

Hadley: On my way.

God, my little sister was a good one. No questions, just simply here to help. Maybe it was something innate from her years as an EMT. Or because she knew better than anyone how questions and demands for explanations could kill your soul. She’d been far braver in demanding her freedom, though.

I scanned the loft around me. I’d started packing up last night, but it wasn’t as if I had a lot of belongings. A duffel bag full of clothes lay on my bed with a box of food next to it. I wasn’t really one for mementos—except for one thing.

I lowered myself to my knees and reached under the bed. My fingers grasped the edge of the old shoebox. I ignored the tightening in my chest as I took it in. He’s gone. You’re free. And for the first time, I was fighting for that freedom.

Shoving the box into my duffel, I zipped it closed, slung the bag over my shoulder, and picked up the container of food. Opening the door, I stepped onto the landing.

The first step was the hardest. The ranch had been my safe place for a long time. In my mind, nothing could touch me here. It was what made leaving so damned hard. Even just short trips into town were always a process: convincing myself that nothing would happen, that I was prepared if it did, and breathing through the anxiety and panic.

My boots echoed on the wood as I descended the stairs. One hand curled tightly around the box, the other clenching and flexing at my side. The familiar scents of hay and horses filled my nose. Would Ramsey’s barn smell the same? Or would his be just a bit different?