Three hours after Phoebe had nearly fallen in the river, he still couldn’t draw in a full breath. When she’d slipped, he’d known he could never survive losing her. If she’d been hurt, or worse, it would have been his fault. All of it. Because he’d been so determined to teach Chase a lesson. The irony was Zane had been the one to learn a thing or two in the past week.

He checked his cell phone, and when they were within range of a tower, he handed it over to Reilly who called to let the folks at the house know they were on their way back.

The moon rose in a clear sky, allowing them to see the trail back. The horses sensed their destination and cantered the last five miles.

Zane and his crew arrived wet, tired, hungry and proud. C.J., the kids, Andrea, Matilda, Eddie and Gladys greeted them. Danny and Chase took the horses. Zane helped Maya down from her horse, then reached for Phoebe. He was stunned when he felt her cold, soaked clothes.

“Run a bath,” he yelled to the housekeeper. He turned back to Phoebe. “Can you feel your toes?”

“No, and I don’t want to. They’re going to hurt.”

Maya came over and wrapped an arm around her. “Don’t sweat it, Zane. I’ll make sure she gets warmed up. See what happens when you cross a river. When I get back to the city, I’m not leaving my house for at least six weeks. And I’m going to spend all my time ordering things delivered. There will be no roughing it for me.”

Phoebe shivered as she walked toward the house. “I liked it. It was all very exciting. Well, not the river, but the rest of it. Wasn’t Manny brave? And he saved my life. I need to get him a gift. What do you think he’d like?”

“His balls back.”

Zane followed them into the house. He found Martin, Reilly and Thad telling the women what had happened. They stopped talking when he entered and surrounded him.

“That was great, Zane,” Martin said. “Talk about an adventure.”

“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” Thad said, as he wiped mud from his face. He turned to his wife. “Honey, you should have been there. The water was rising, the cattle were restless. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it.”

“You could try to sound a little less excited about dying,” C.J. told him.

Thad grinned and caught her up in his arms. “I missed you and the kids.”

“We missed you, too.”

“You did good, Zane,” Gladys said, drawing his attention away from Thad and C.J.

Zane shook his head. “I messed up big-time. I’m sorry.”

Gladys brushed off the apology. “You might think you’re perfect, son, but that’s not the case. You’re just as flawed as the rest of us. And you know how to show folks a good time. Eddie and I will never forget this vacation. In fact, if you want to do it again next year, count us in.”

“That’s right,” Martin said. “Only no rain.”

Zane held up his hands. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Everyone laughed and talked. Zane backed out of the room and turned to go help in the barn. As he reached for the front door, it opened and Chase stepped inside.

“The horses are all in stalls,” he said. “Danny’s going to rub them down and feed them. I’m going to change my clothes, then I’ll head back out to help him.”

“I’ll go with you.”

They walked toward the stairs. At the foot, Zane paused and touched his brother’s arm. “You did good today.”

Chase shook his head. “No, Zane. I made a big mistake. Phoebe could have died out there. We could have lost the steers. All because I pulled some stupid stunt. I’m sorry.”

Zane’s throat tightened. He tried to speak but couldn’t. So he wrapped his arms around Chase and pulled him close.

“It’s okay,” he managed at last, his voice hoarse. “I screw up all the time, too. The thing is, I never let you see that.”

Chase hugged him back. “For real?”

They straightened and stared at each other. He quickly told Chase the story of the stallion and how their father had reacted.

“I didn’t want you to have regrets,” Zane said. “Not like I did. But I’ve been so busy trying to save you, I’ve made your life hell.”

His brother’s eyes filled with tears. “Thanks.”

“You’re a good kid.” He shook his head. “Sorry. A good man. I’m proud you’re my brother and...” He hesitated for a second. “I love you, Chase.”

His brother sucked in a breath, then hugged him tight. “I love you, too, Zane.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PHOEBE SANK ONTO the top stair and stared down to the great room below. When Zane and Chase hugged, she felt as if her heart was going to overflow with emotion. Or maybe she would just burst into tears.

“Are you coming or what?” Maya asked from the doorway to their bedroom. “There’s a bath waiting for you. I think you have hypothermia, Phoebe. You’ve got to get warmed up.”

It was true that every part of her body shivered and ached and that she couldn’t much feel her feet or hands, but none of that mattered.

“They’re going to be okay,” she whispered happily. Knowing the man she loved was happy made her want to glow.

“Of course they’re okay. Now come on!”

Phoebe glanced back at Maya. “They love each other. Zane and Chase. They’re hugging.”