“Sooo, the caveman approach,” Nix said. “That’s your go to move?”

“It’s not caveman. It’s fucking romantic.” Clutch slugged back the rest of the beer.

“It’s also the surest way to end up getting your face slapped,” Denver added.

Rett and I nearly fell off our chairs with laughter. If nothing else, having them there was making me feel a lot better.

“Maybe you should pull that John Cusack move from that “Say Anything” flick when he was wearing the long coat and holding the boom box over his head,” Denver suggested.

“Yeah, that wouldn’t be creepy at all,” Nix said.

Rett snapped his fingers. “Wait, I like that idea only take it up a major notch and have your dad outside her window singing one of his love songs.”

“Can’t think of anything more romantic or cool than having my dad stand with me under a girl’s window.”

Denver sat forward. “Yeah, but your dad is Nicky King.”

“Dude, we’ve discussed this before. A dad is a dad whether he sips coffee in a sweater or wakes up between two women on the balcony of some expensive hotel. I’m not getting my old man involved. Besides, even ole sparkly here”—I pointed my thumb toward Rett—“couldn’t hold a girl’s attention with my dad crowing out one of his sappy love songs next to him. Let’s just drop the subject.”

We turned our attention back to the pit where Rodeo and Dray were outperforming each other on the clown scale.

Clutch looked at his phone. “Well, sonavabitch.”

“What’s wrong?” Nix asked.

“The women are at some spa in Hollywood, and they’re just about to bathe in mud.”

We all sat quiet and let that vision soak in for a few long seconds until Denver finally spoke up. “Heard mud is good for the pores.”

We fell apart in laughter and nearly missed the doorbell. Clutch and Rett went in to get the pizza. Nix leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs and looked at me. “Hey, Cole, if you really like this girl, then talk to her. Tell her how you feel, and leave it at that. If that doesn’t work, then move on.”

“Having a hard time getting her to answer my calls, but I think I’ll give it another try.”

Chapter 28

Kensington

A long, hard workout in the arena had been what I needed. Bentley too. He’d been in his stall for two straight days and was full of vinegar when I took him out. The horse’s energy and my determination to push Cole from my head, at least for an hour in the saddle, made for a good ride.

I slowed Bentley to a walk to cool him off. A foamy lather covered his neck, and my back was drenched as well. I glanced up at the house. Dad was walking out toward the arena. I circled around one more time and climbed off Bentley’s back. We reached the gate just as Dad opened it for me. His mouth was pulled tight, and he looked a bit pale.

“Dad, you look like you’re in pain.” I was beginning to worry that there was more to this than just massive indigestion. But I’d decided not to bring it up. I didn’t want to upset Mom. Dad was seeing a doctor this week, and that had alleviated some of my concern.

“Yes, that’s what I was coming out to tell you. That east coast customer, that big restaurant co-op, is supposed to call in the next half hour. I gave the assistant your cell phone number. I decided to move my doctor’s appointment up, and they had a cancelation this morning. I’m just not feeling myself.”

It was the first time he’d indicated that he too thought it might be something more than indigestion. A thick knot of worry filled my throat.

“Oh, Kensie, don’t look like that. I’m fine. Just starting to feel the ravages of middle age and too much good living, I’m sure.”

“I’ll go with you. I can drive.”

“No, don’t be silly. I’m a grown man. Besides, I need you here to take care of business.”

He walked with me into the barn aisle. I put on Bentley’s halter and hooked him in the cross ties to unsaddle him.

Dad sat on the blanket trunk in the barn aisle. The grim line on his mouth had softened, and it made me relax some. “Can’t help but notice that you’re not your usual sunshiney self, Kensie. Is it because of Cole? I know I’m just an old man with a completely biased opinion, and firm in my belief that no one is ever going to be good enough for my little girl, but it seems as if you cared for this boy. At least more than any of the others.”

“I did think he was going to be different, and I definitely liked him. But I’m just a little off because of it. I’ll be fine. My main concern is you feeling better. What time is your appointment?”

He lifted his arm to look at his watch and stood up. “I should be leaving in a few minutes. Don’t forget that the customer will be calling soon. I faxed him the price lists earlier. He said they still had some questions.” He headed out of the barn.

“I’ll be waiting to hear what the doctor says. And remember to ask questions,” I called to him.

My phone rang the second Dad walked out. I’d left the phone in the office and raced inside to answer it. I assumed it was the east coast customer and hadn’t taken the time to look at the screen. “Hello, this is Kensington of Modante Winery.”

“Hello, Kensington of Modante Winery.”

His voice made a flutter of nerves shoot through me, and I hated that I’d reacted like that. I was supposed to not give a damn, but just hearing his familiar, deep voice had shaken me.

“Cole, I can’t talk right now. I’m expecting a call.”

“I just want a chance to explain the whole thing. I haven’t stopped thinking about you for one damn second, Kensington. It’s not about a bet. It was never about a bet. Let’s talk and then if you still feel the same way, I’ll just walk away a broken man. You won’t have to see me or talk to me again.”

I paused, not to decide, but to slow my heart rate some. I wasn’t quite ready to give up on him yet. I just hoped I wouldn’t regret it. “All right.”

“Great. I’ll meet you at The Grind, the coffee shop on River St. at three o’clock.”

“Make it four o’clock.”

“Four o’clock. I’ll see you then.”

“Bye.” I hung up and stared at the phone before sliding it into my pocket. My gritty resolve to not see him again had turned to mush the second he said hello. Hearing Cole’s voice had been all I needed. I wanted to talk to him again. As I stepped out of the office, I heard a harsh, guttural sound that was not horse or anything else I’d ever heard. It had come from outside the barn. I walked to the doorway and peered out.

Dad was on the ground writhing in pain. My heart leapt into my throat. “Dad!”

I raced to him. His skin was clammy white, like cold paste, and he was clutching his chest. I pulled out my phone and dropped to my knees next to him. I dialed emergency services but could barely catch my breath or stop crying long enough to talk. “Hello, please help. I think my dad is having a heart attack.”

Chapter 29

Cole

The work site was ready for the first massive cement pour in the morning. It would be a long, stressful day, so we shut down early to go home for the night and get psyched up for tomorrow. I’d gone straight in to shower. I hadn’t told Denver, and especially not Rodeo, that I was going to meet up with Kensington. I was feeling a little like a sap. I’d never gone after a girl like this. But I hadn’t ever been with a girl like Kensington either. She was worth going against my usual principals and male pride.

Rodeo was leaning against the kitchen doorway shoveling down a leftover slice of pizza as I walked through the house. “Where are you going so shined up?”

“What are you, my mother? I’ll be back later. Are we going to practice?”

Rodeo raised the half-eaten pizza slice. “That’s why I’m fueling up.”

Denver came out of the kitchen with a soda. He glanced at me and nodded, which meant he’d figured it out. Denver never needed a lot of clues to piece things together.