“So you didn’t. And I guess that’s what I’m having trouble putting together. You still work here with him. You’re home all the time. You obviously love your family, or you wouldn’t be here. And I assume that you include your dad in that.”

“Family is complicated,” Gabe said.

“Yeah,” Jamie said. “I get that. I mean, I stayed at Get Out of Dodge for a lot longer than I should have. The relationship that I have with my brothers. With my dad... It’s not straightforward. They take care of me. At least, that’s what they think. That I need them. But I’ve always felt like maybe they needed me. I wanted to help, however I could. And I have. I helped Wyatt get the dude ranch changed and up and running. I’m part owner in it. I helped my dad with the chores when he was still there. I did my best to not let the fact that I was a girl be a drain. Not when they could have had another son to help out. Not when they could have had a mother.”

“Jamie...”

“Whatever. I’m not trying to sound pathetic. I’m just saying, I understand that families are complicated. And that sometimes things aren’t perfect, but that doesn’t mean you cut them out of your lives. It doesn’t mean that you quit going home. It doesn’t mean that you cut off association. I’m just curious. Because you’re one of the few people in this world that I’ve met that’s about as hardheaded as I am, Gabe Dalton. So I would figure that...it isn’t that you have a hard time telling your dad where to shove his edicts.”

“I don’t. I didn’t. That was basically what I did when I joined the rodeo. What I wanted to do was something with horses. What I wanted to do was get the equine facility established here on the ranch. I think with more information... The idea that I have now is probably what I would have arrived at then. But I’m talking... I was fifteen. I was neglecting school. Heading straight out to ride as soon as I got home. I made it my life. I lived it. I breathed it. This land, those animals.”

A soft smile came over Jamie’s face. “Yeah. I mean, I relate. That was basically me. Being inside and doing school...torture. When I could be out riding. I’d always rather do that.”

“And what did Quinn Dodge think of that?”

“He liked it. My dad and I... It’s not like we talk. It’s not like we sit around and share our feelings. He’s one of those men... He’s filled with wisdom. But like, little pearls of them I think it takes a few years for him to cogitate on. They come out of strange moments, not in full conversations. And certainly not frequently. Mostly, he’s that strong, silent kind of man. Confident in his opinions, and in the fact that the work he does is good. But opinionated.”