Sunrise Canyon (New Americana 1)

Mack shook his head.

“Fine. You stay right here until I excuse you.” Kira dialed the Phoenix phone number on Mack’s program application. It was his mother who answered. She seemed more annoyed by the inconvenience of having to pick him up than by her son’s misbehavior. “I’ve got a salon appointment tomorrow morning,” she said. “Maybe his daddy can come get him. Hold on.”

The exchange of voices was loud enough for Mack to hear. He shrank in his chair, as if trying to hide. A moment later, his mother was back on the phone. “He says he’ll be there by eight thirty. Tell Mack he’d better be ready on time.”

Kira ended the call and escorted Mack to the cabin he shared with Brandon to pack and get some sleep. He was under strict orders to stay put until morning. She felt sorry for the boy, but rules were rules. Mack had earned his dismissal from the program.

On her way back to the house, she glanced at her watch. It was after nine. Hours had passed since Jake had ridden down the trail with Patrick. Dusty, who’d put Patches and Dynamite away and dressed the shallow cut on Patches’ knee, had confirmed that Jake had taken her Outback to drive the boy to the ER. Patrick’s eye injury hadn’t looked that serious, but it needed to be checked by a doctor.

Waiting in the ER could take a long time, Kira knew. But it was getting late, and she was becoming worried. What if something had happened on the road—or what if Jake had suffered an episode? He didn’t carry a cell phone, and, since students’ phones weren’t allowed on the rides, Patrick’s phone had been left in his cabin. She had no way to call either of them.

She’d reached the porch, and was about to go look in on Paige, when she caught sight of headlights rounding the last bend in the road. A moment later, her wagon drove through the side gate and pulled around the house. Jake and Patrick climbed out, both looking weary.

“The eye is okay,” Jake said before Kira could ask. “But he’s got one heck of a shiner.”

Patrick turned to face her, grinning. The bruise around his eye had morphed into an ugly ring of blues and purples. He was showing it off like a trophy.

“You’re sure you’re all right, Patrick?” Kira asked.

“I’ll live. Can’t wait to get my phone and send out some selfies.”

“We stopped for shakes and burgers on the way back, so we won’t need to eat,” Jake said. “How’s Patches?”

“Not too bad. But he’ll be out of action until his leg heals. Patrick, you look like you could use a shower and a good night’s sleep. We’ll take it easy tomorrow.”

“What’s happening with Mack?” Patrick asked. “He’s not a bad kid, you know. He was just having a crappy day. Is he going home?”

“I’m afraid so, but we won’t talk about that now,” Kira said. “Run along. Get some rest.”

By the time Jake had parked the vehicle in the shed and returned to the porch, Kira was alone. He mounted the steps two at a time and gathered her into his arms. She softened against him, feeling warm and protected. “Sorry,” he murmured, his lips brushing her forehead. “I know you’ve had a hell of a day.”

“It could’ve been worse,” she said. “At least Mack didn’t break his neck. And Patrick and the horse will be okay. But I hate having to send a student home, especially after he seemed to be making such good progress.”

“Like Patrick said, he was just having a crappy day. Believe me, I know how that feels.”

“Speaking of that, how have you been?” She looked up at him, raising a hand to cup his cheek. His beard was rough against her palm. She loved the feel of it.

“So far, so good,” he said. “Having a steady girlfriend seems to be helping—and Dynamite deserves some credit, too.”

Kira closed her eyes, inhaling the manly smell that had seeped into his shirt. At times like this, with Jake’s arms around her, it was hard to imagine that anything could go wrong.

“I was about to check on Paige,” she said. “Want to come with me?”

“Sure.” He followed her inside and down the hall, where they peeked into her room. Paige was sleeping like an angel. Not wanting to wake her, they moved quietly back to the living room.

“I can’t get enough of looking at her,” Jake said. “She blew me away this morning going up that hill. She was amazing.”

“You’ve got to tell her who you are, Jake,” Kira said. “Paige is a sharp little girl. She’s going to guess the truth, if she hasn’t already. And then she’ll wonder why you kept it from her.”

“I plan to,” Jake said. “I want her to know.”

“So when are you going to tell her?” Kira had turned to face him.

“Tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll tell her tomorrow—when I shave off my beard.”

She walked out onto the porch with him, to say good night. The sky was clear, the stars hung like jewels on black velvet, but the night breeze carried the fresh smell of rain.

Once more, he gathered her in his arms. His kiss was filled with promise. “I love you, Kira,” he whispered.