Without You

His smile faded a bit, and he turned and grabbed his saddle. He began getting his horse ready. Neither one of us said anything as we saddled up the horses, got on them, and headed out.

I couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Daddy, why don’t you like Will?”

He snapped his head over and looked at me. “What? I love Will like a son. I just don’t like the idea of him dating my daughter.”

“I would think you’d like it better than some strange guy I might meet at UT. Will loves me, Daddy, and he treats me so good, like how you treat Mom.”

Daddy smiled and nodded his head. “I don’t doubt that, sweetheart.” He let out a sigh. “Alex, it’s just that the two of you only know each other and your close circle of friends. You’ve always been a part of the ranch and Mason. I want you both to have the chance to explore other things, other ideas. I know you say you want to come back and live on the ranch with Will, but you haven’t even begun to experience life outside of Mason, Alex.”

I looked down and frowned. “Daddy, why is it so hard for you to believe that I want to have a life like you and Mom? I love the ranch just as much as you, Mom, Colt, Will, and Luke. It just seems unfair.”

He nodded his head and looked ahead. “Alex, you’re going to college, and things will be so different. I know you love the ranch, sweetheart. I just want you to keep an open mind. You might go to Austin and decide that you love Austin. I want you to be happy, Alex. I never want you to settle. I want you to have every opportunity possible, and I don’t want this relationship with Will to cloud any of that.”

I bit down on my lower lip. We stayed silent as our horses walked along for a bit more.

“Daddy, I love Will. I can’t see my future without him.”

“Alex, I’m not doubting your love for him. Just know that it is possible that you will meet someone else in college who will—”

I looked at him. “Who will what?”

He stopped his horse, and I brought Banjo to a stop.

“Who will make you doubt your feelings for Will.”

My mouth dropped open. I looked down at my promise ring and then back into my father’s eyes. “That will never happen—ever.”

He gave me a weak smile and nodded his head. “Come on, let’s see what Banjo has against Apache. Let’s race down to the river.”

I giggled as I kicked Banjo, and we took off racing toward the water.

I ran down the stairs as soon as Will had sent me a text saying he was pulling down the driveway.

“Stop!”

I turned and looked at my father.

“Where are y’all going?”

My mother walked into the living room and smiled.

Colt came down the stairs and walked right past me. “Later.”

My mouth dropped open as he walked right out the door without my parents saying a word to him.

I used my hands and gestured toward where Colt had just left. “Um…hello? He just walked right by, and you didn’t ask him where he was going! I’m older and out of high school, and you’re going to stop and ask me?”

My father gave me a smirk that just made me all the madder. Ever since our ride the other day, he’d kept planting it in my head that I should take a break from Will when I headed to college. He’d said that if our love was true and strong, it shouldn’t matter.

My father walked toward me. “Your brother already told us he was going to a party down on the river at Claire Montgomery’s place.”

I slowly shook my head. “Daddy, surely you know I’m going to the same party.”

He chuckled. “I figured. Will there be alcohol, Alex?”

I raised my eyebrow at him and tilted my head. “Really, Dad? We’re in the country. There is nothing else to do but have river parties, field parties, and barn dances.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, does it?”

I never lied to my father—well, with the exception of the night when I’d bought the condoms.

“Yes, Daddy. There will be alcohol. Yes, I will watch everyone. No, I won’t let Will or Colt drink since they are driving. There is a plan already set up. Whoever drove and ends up drinking will stay the night at Claire’s. Plus, her brother, Duke, is home from college, and he will be keeping an eye on things, too.”

My father nodded his head. My parents weren’t very strict, but then again, they were. As long as we were always truthful with them, they would be okay with things. Colt and I always knew we could call our parents if needed.