He turns and gives me his annoyed scowl. “What are you? A shrink?”

I hit him back with my best cheesy grin. “Nah. Just the daughter of one.”

He huffs out a soft laugh and shakes his head, staring out over the flat expanse of land that looks like it shoots straight up into the Rockies. It’s beautiful—gold-green grass, gray rock, up to a blue-bird sky.

“It’s Luke’s birthday next week. The little party we’re hosting is the following weekend. It’s casual. Just family.”

I say nothing because I know where he’s going. He mentioned it once, and I never asked more questions because it wasn’t my business.

“His mom always shows up for it.”

“As she should,” I reply because it’s true. “Cade, this is really none of my business. If Luke is happy, I’m happy.”

He sort of wobbles his head. “I’m not so sure that she makes Luke happy, to be honest. Nine out of ten times, it’s awkward. He doesn’t know how to act around her, and she sure as shit doesn’t know how to act around him. It’s not getting any better with age.”

“Okay.” It’s all I can think to say. I don’t really know why he’s telling me all this.

“I have a sinking suspicion it’s going to be more awkward with you there.”

Stiffness permeates my neck as I shift to sit taller. “Are you saying you don’t want me there?”

“No.” His response is quick and firm. I let out the breath I’d been holding back, ready to keep it together if he’d said yes. “Not at all. If you want to talk about something that would upset Luke—that would be it.”

I nod, dropping my eyes to my fingers wrapped around the reins in my hands.

“I want you there too,” Cade adds, and I can feel the weight of his gaze on my skin. “She might not like it, though, so I just want to prepare you for that.”

My face scrunches as I turn to look at the man beside me. “Why would she not like me there? I’ll be there as his nanny.”

His jaw works, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob when he swallows. “She’s . . . I don’t know.” He chuckles now, scrubbing a hand over his beard. “You know, I try so hard not to say bad things about her, because she’s half Luke and I love everything about that kid. But Willa, his mom is a fucking nightmare. I don’t know how my biggest mistake brought about my most cherished gift. But here I am.”

“You’re so mature,” I quip. Because really, he is.