As Rich walked out of the kitchen, I looked to my father for an explanation. He seemed lost in thought and wouldn’t make eye contact.
“Daddy, is everything okay? Is there something wrong that you’re not telling me?”
He lifted his head. “Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart. I’m fine! I’m already thinking about today’s to-do list. It’s a long one, but I want to make sure we make time for your birthday dinner.”
“You didn’t answer my other question,” I reminded him.
My father laughed. “There is nothing wrong, I promise.”
I nodded. “Why don’t you let me ride out along the north fence line and take a look at it. I’m sure I can repair it. You taught me everything I need to know to keep this place up and running.”
He grinned. “I know, I know. You’ll always be my little girl, Kynslee. No matter what you think. I only wanted you to enjoy your day, and not have to work.”
“It’s just another day, Daddy. Let’s not make a big deal out of it.”
He nodded with a pensive expression.
Rich walked back in. “Macy needs me to pick her up something on the way back to the farm. If you need help with that fence, give me a holler.” Rich grabbed a muffin and made his way through the kitchen and out the back door.
“Happy birthday, Kynslee!”
My heart dropped a bit. For some silly reason I thought maybe Rich had brought over my birthday present from Miles. He always sent the gift at least a week before my birthday. This year I hadn’t gotten anything, and I tried not to let the disappointment show. Miles still held way too much power over my emotions, and I knew I needed to let him go and move on with my life. Tick-tock, tick-tock.
This year I would put all the pining for someone I couldn’t have behind me. I couldn’t live my life like this anymore. I needed to move on because it was clear Miles had. Hell, if I were being honest with myself, that was clear five years ago. I wanted to believe that our friendship, those nights in the barn, meant something to him. It was obvious they hadn’t though.
“Bye, Rich! See ya around!” I called out, attempting to clear my voice of sadness.
“Thanks for stopping by! Tell your momma we said hi,” Daddy called out when I wasn’t capable of saying anything else.
“Will do!” Rich said before the screen door clicked shut.
“All right, sweetheart. I’m going to go join your mother in the garden before things get a bit too crazy, then it’s a late lunch, right?”
I nodded but not before voicing the question I couldn’t hold in any longer. “Daddy, what was Rich doing here?”
He paused at the back door before turning. “He was driving by and wanted to stop in to ask me if I could order a certain feed at the store for the horses. And he wanted to wish you a happy birthday, is all. Why?”
“He didn’t have any news on Miles, did he?”
Something flashed on his face, but it was gone before I could read it. He simply shook his head.
I shrugged, not sure if I believed him but knowing he wouldn’t budge. “I’m going to head down to the barn, I wanted to check on Lou Lou Lemon and see how she’s doing.”
My father rolled his eyes. He hated when the names of new horses were left up to me.
“Be careful and please don’t worry about that fence. Besides, don’t you have some work for the Mercantile?”
Laughing, I said, “What happened to it being my birthday? Now you want me to work?”
“No! I just don’t want you fussing about the fence is all.”
“I think I’m going to go for a ride. Clear my head after my night out with Heather and Patty. I might have drunk a little bit too much.”
He winked. “Been there and done that. Meet you at the store, sweetheart.” He waved bye and headed out, in pursuit of my mother.
My degree was in marketing, so I handled all of the advertising for the store. I was damn good at my job, if I did say so myself. I had brought my parents into the world of social media and the Internet, and that exposure helped to grow The Mercantile, especially as a tourist stop. People loved the old-time feel of our store. The soda fountain and my father’s famous chocolate milkshakes drew people in. There wasn’t much else in Hunt for folks to do besides camping, going to the river, and Sunday game night at The Mercantile. I smiled. That had been my idea and one that had turned out to be a huge success. Who doesn’t love playing board games at an old-fashioned fountain bar in a building that’s over a hundred-and-twenty years old?
As I headed down the path that led to the barn, I spotted Erin. She graduated a few years behind me and helped care for the horses and train a few of them, as well. She also gave riding lessons and had worked it out with my dad to use certain horses of ours on specific days. It worked out for everyone because Erin got to run her business, and our horses got great exercise.
“Morning, Kynslee!”
My hangover headache had begun to fade, but Erin’s chipper voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I liked Erin; she was always a sweet person, but even on a good day her cheeriness got to me. Today was no exception. So, when I snarled at her, she shouldn’t have been surprised, but she acted like she was. Probably to piss me off.
“Well, what’s wrong with you this morning, grumpy bug? Too many candles to blow out today or something?”
“Nope,” I replied.
She gave me a look that said she didn’t buy it.
“Is this because today is your birthday, and you haven’t gotten your gift from Miles yet?”
I stared at her with an incredulous look. “What the hell? How do you know I haven’t gotten anything from him?”
She shrugged. “Heard you haven’t gotten anything at the post office, so just assumin’ that’s what got you in a sour mood.”
Good God. This town was way too small.
“Every year Miles sends you a gift, and you’re on pins and needles as you wait for him to call so you can open it. Has he even ever missed a year since he enlisted?”
“Excuse me, I am not on pins and needles, and no, he has never missed a call or sending me a gift.”
Erin’s eyes widened. “Well, just figured that no gift means he isn’t calling this time. What’s it like having a best friend who is a Navy SEAL?”
Trying not to roll my eyes, I replied, “He’s not a Navy SEAL, Erin. Why do you insist on saying that? You know he’s in the Marines, and I’m not sure if Miles Warner is able to stake the claim of being my best friend after all this time. It’s been five years since I’ve seen him, ya know.”
She chuckled. “So, what you’re telling me is you’re not upset that you haven’t gotten a package yet? I mean, you usually get it a week before your birthday and today you are in a really bad mood judging by the look on your face and the alcohol you consumed last night.”
Jesus, this damn town. No one could even cross the road the wrong way without it being the hot topic of conversation down at The Mercantile.
Yes, I was upset. Would I admit it to her or even to myself?
Never!
“Erin, you really need a life if you have the time to keep up with mine so carefully.”
She giggled. “So…the gift?”
I shrugged. “He’s probably stuck in some remote forest or desert or he’s been shot and is bleeding to death and doesn’t care that the last time I saw him was five years ago. I’m sure it’s a really simple explanation and one I don’t have time to dwell on…and neither should you.”
Erin stared before she smirked. “Wow. You are pissed. Is that why you got hammered? Because you’re mad at Miles? Your mom said you got very drunk, and she thinks it is because you didn’t get your gift yet. Maybe Miles forgot. Or he’s met someone, and she doesn’t like the idea of him sending gifts to another woman.”
I stared at her, my mouth gaping. I hadn’t even let myself think about Miles meeting someone. Hell, when would he have time to meet someone while serving in the armed forces? It wasn’t like he could create a profi
le on Tinder or something, considering he didn’t have time to come home, much less go on a date. I hadn’t actually heard from him for a few months now that I thought about it. Besides his random texts to say he was thinking about me, or telling some stupid joke, it was total silence.
“Okay…I need to address so much after that. First off, excuse me, I didn’t get drunk! And no, that is not why I went out! I’ve been mad at Miles for five years. And I went out because it was my birthday, and oh my gawd, how do you know so much about my life?”
She gave me a look that screamed she was feeling sorry for me. “It’s a small town, Kynslee. I’ll be sure to let your mom know you didn’t go out last night because you were mad at Miles and missing his gift.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Honestly, Erin, you don’t need to do that. I simply went out last night with my friends. There were no motives other than celebrating the end of my twenties and me crossing the threshold of my thirties, finally.”
“And getting drunk.”
“I wasn’t drunk!” I stated. “Besides, it’s really none of my mother’s business. Or yours, for that matter. But you already know that.”
I was livid with my mom for talking about me to Erin.
She gave me that smile that all southern women had perfected by the time they were nine years old. The slight lift of the mouth, tight head nod, and the unspoken words of, Ahh-huh, you just keep telling yourself that, honey. Bless your soul.
“I have the power to get you fired, Erin,” I warned as I pointed to her.
Her smile grew bigger, and she attempted not to laugh. I was positive she lived for getting me worked up.
Without another word, I stomped away from her. All thirty years of me actually stomped.
The moment I walked into the barn, all felt right in the world again. Inhaling deeply, I let the smells of leather, hay, manure, and dirt fill my senses as I took in the large barn.
This was my happy place. The two-story barn had been added onto over the years, torn down and rebuilt when I was fourteen. The barn looked like it had been here on the ranch forever, but it also had a certain elegance that screamed of my parents. Where my grandfather was old-school country, my father was “buy expensive horses, treat them well, and make money on the side breeding and selling them” type of country.
Made out of knotty pine, the outside of the building was stunning. A concrete pad gave way to massive stalls. Twenty in all. The stalls all had the same knotty pine wood on the Dutch doors, with upper black gates that slid open. Brazilian hardwood covered the stalls and had been finished off with a specialty floor added for horses’ comfort. To say they were spoiled was an understatement. My father had wanted lots of natural light, so not only were there a few skylights, but large windows built into the barn. I’d found old wooden shutters at an estate sale when I was nineteen and my father had added them on, giving the windows an old, rustic feel.
The second floor of the barn consisted of two parts. One was the loft where hay was stored. The other half was a sort of play area, if you will. A pool table, small kitchen, and two sets of bunkbeds. It had been a haven for me and my friends growing up, one of our favorite places to hang out when we were in high school. There were plenty of nights I’d slept up there while waiting for a foal to be birthed. Or when I simply needed space and alone time. Of course, it was also where I lost my virginity. And where I had hoped Miles would confess his undying love for me five years ago.
I rolled my eyes at all the years and emotions I’d wasted on him. This would be the year I pushed past that silly dream once and for all. Miles was actually helping me out by forgetting my birthday.
A twenty-by-twenty tack room sat at the end with a small office to the side. I was the only person who used the office. It was where I worked on new marketing strategies when I wasn’t at The Mercantile.
I took another deep breath and slowly let it out. The first stall held my horse, Trigger. He was a beautiful American Quarter Horse that Daddy had bought for me when I turned sixteen. When I left for college, it nearly destroyed me not being able to see my baby boy every day. Now, I tried to climb up on him at least three times a week. He was one of the lesson horses Erin used with her students, and I knew he loved it. He lived for riding, so I was grateful that he at least stayed busy when I couldn’t be here very often.
Trigger bobbed his head in excitement as I opened the stall. “Hey there, beautiful. I think Lou Lou Lemon will have to wait her turn this morning.”
He pushed his head against me and made what I could only describe as a purring sound. He was the only horse I knew who made that sound, and I loved it. It made him even more special. He reminded me of a giant version of Whiskey. Both my boys showed me love and made me feel like I was their special human.
“What do you say we go for a ride?”
Trigger stomped his foot, and I laughed.
“Okay, okay. Cut me some slack, I went out last night and might have had one too many beers.”
He snickered.
“Oh, don’t you lecture me, buddy. It’s been a rough week.”
Trigger followed me out of his stall and down to the tack room where he waited for me to get him saddled up and ready to go.
“We are going to take a little ride this morning, buddy. It’s my birthday, and I need the fresh air, you need the exercise, and a fence needs fixing.” My sweet boy leaned into me, knowing he could fix all my troubles just by being here.
I climbed up onto the horse and started out of the barn. When I turned onto the well-worn riding path that led to the middle pastures, I nearly fell out of the saddle.
Trigger came to a stop on instinct, and I stared in disbelief.
I’d seen plenty of pictures of Miles over the last five years from his momma, selfies he’d taken with his Marine Corp buddies and randomly posted on social media, and some from text messages. He had grown into one hell of a handsome man. But in person…in person he looked breathtakingly beautiful. Everything about him was perfect. He had grown even more handsome since the last time I saw him.
Five years ago.
And that really pissed me off, and on my birthday, no less.
Narrowing my eyes, I let my gaze move slowly over his body.
His dark hair was cut in a military style, super short on the sides, and a bit longer on top. A hot as hell look for him, but I wasn’t going to let myself dwell on that little fact because, after all, I was pissed.
But that tight white T-shirt showcased his broad chest, the tight jeans with muscular legs sent chills to all the important parts, and I could only imagine what his ass looked like.
Stop it, Kyns. Just stop it now.
My eyes naturally went back to his face. Blue eyes met my green, and I swallowed hard. Then he smiled, and his dimples made my insides tremble. My heart raced as I drew in a slow breath and breathed out the only word I could muster.
“Miles.”
And then he said the only word that he could possibly say in that moment that made any sense at all.
“Surprise.”
Miles
Five years earlier - MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command)
I SAT ON one side of the table, looking at the guy in the suit on the other side. He smiled, and I forced myself to return the gesture.
“Staff Sergeant Warner, I’m Doug Jones with the CIA.”
“CIA, huh?” I said, glancing over to my commanding officer.
“Yes. It’s come to our attention that you are not re-enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.”
“That would be correct. I’m ready to get home and back to work on my family’s farm in Texas.”
He nodded. “Got a girl waiting for you?”
Smirking, I replied, “Something like that.”
“Well, I’m here to make you an offer. One you won’t be able to refuse.”
I leaned back in the chair, crossed my arms over my chest, and raised a brow. I’d been in the Marines since I was eight
een. Worked my way up the ranks quickly and was respected by my fellow Marines. Not to mention, I was one of the best sharp shooters in the Corps. I’d been on some of the most dangerous missions and had made sure my family back home was up to date on the mortgage with the money I sent home. My siblings were able to go to college with the money I’d set aside, and I had managed to start a small savings I was hoping would help build my future. The future I wanted with Kynslee. This would have to be something pretty damn big to keep me from going back home and starting my life. So, I replied, “I’m listening.”
“We want you in the CIA. I mean, working alongside the CIA. You reenlist and give us a few more years and we’ll make it worth it for you.”
Laughing, I glanced between the two men. “Why in the world would you want me?”
Doug pulled out a thick folder and opened it. It was obviously my personnel file since day one of being in the Marines. He pulled out a picture someone had taken of me. I was shooting at something. Or someone, most likely.
“You are exactly what we need in our counter-terrorism unit. As you already know, we work closely with MARSOC, as well as the Navy SEALs and Green Berets on a lot of our missions. You would be a valuable part of the team.”
I stared. I knew there were guys who were better than me, not only at sharp shooting, but I sucked when it came to the technology shit, and I’d be the first to admit I was hard headed and liked to do things my way. “There are plenty of other Marines who would be a better match,” I stated.
“I don’t want another Marine. I want you.”
My commanding officer sat down next to Doug. “You’ll be discharged at the end of the term. No additional service at all.”
I rose a brow. “No inactive duty?”
“With the nature of this…position…we are willing to factor that into the time served. You’ll still be alongside the MARSOC. Even be working with some of same soldiers from the last few years, but you will have more solo missions for when we need to keep things more private.”
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