Heartless (Chestnut Springs, #2)

by Elsie Silver

“We need to talk about the reunion, Cade,” my dad says. “Come for lunch? You and I can do some planning.” “Willa too!” Luke is already dragging her up to the house, his tiny hand clamped around hers. “It’s her day off, pal,” I remind him, seeing the line between everything blur and desperately trying to keep it in place. She glances down at Luke and over at me. “It’s okay. I don’t need a day off from you, buddy. You’re one of my favorite people in the world.” My heart stutters in my chest, and I suck in a sharp breath. The way Luke smiles, the way he stands just a little bit taller, makes the bridge of my nose sting. I scrunch it up and give it a wipe before looking away. Then I stride to the house, head down, so no one will see the emotion in my eyes. But I don’t need to look at my dad for him to know. After all, who knows their son better than a single dad? Before he retired, we spent long days on the range together, so it’s damn near impossible to keep anything from each other. “You’ve got it bad, boy,” is what he says, clapping me on the shoulder as I move past him.