The sun began to rise over the barn, and the backyard held a stillness that Cole relished. Ranch life had been in his blood growing up, and it seemed that now was no different. Silhouettes of horses and a cowboy pushing a feed cart were far more peaceful than what he knew was coming. He shook his head and took another sip of coffee. Having Sam to himself when this was over was incentive enough for him to file away his feelings and prioritize the phone calls and actions he would need to take that day.
The noise behind him had him turning, his emotions not yet hidden. The sight of Sam, with her hair disheveled, nightshirt hanging to mid-thigh, innocent hazel eyes that blinked away the fog of sleep, was his undoing. Hours spent considering scenarios and what ifs and rationalizing myriad deci
