Free Tymber Dalton by Out of the Darkness Page B

though she had access to miles of trails in the woods behind them, the property wasn’t large enough to allow the horses to roam like this. And while a white Christmas was beautiful, the risk of blizzards and protecting the horses from the cold always created a headache.
    You don’t get blizzards in Florida.
    She also wouldn’t have Matt. Who was she kidding? She wouldn’t be here in a year.
    “All gone.” She showed her empty palms, and the geldings nuzzled her hands before wandering off.
    “I thought I heard you.”
    Steve’s voice startled her. He must have come out the front door, because she didn’t hear the kitchen screen door squeak.
    “I’m always up this early,” she said. “I’m usually up by six every morning, Boy Genius. I don’t get to sleep in like you do.”
    He sat next to her on the step, motioning toward the horses with his own coffee mug. “They seem to like it here.”
    Sami nodded, sensing the conversation’s direction. “They do.”
    “Do you?”
    She fixed her gaze on the geldings. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have with him now. “We’ve only been here a couple of days, Steve.”
    “I think I’ll get a lot of work done here.” He took a sip, and when she didn’t say anything, he continued. “We can afford it.”
    “You’re right.” Sami wasn’t committing to anything.
    He tried again. “I hate cold winters.”
    “They are miserable.” She sensed his growing irritation. Sami refused to give him the satisfaction of interpreting his comments the way she knew he wanted her to. He needed to grow a set and learn to say what he meant.
    “Don’t have to worry about nosy neighbors,” he suggested.
    She shook her head. “Nope, no worries there.” Occasionally, Sami noticed photographers on their neighbors’ property snapping pictures of her riding. Sometimes they snagged a picture of Steve, and it would appear on a gossip website on a slow celebrity news day.
    He fidgeted with his mug. “What are you thinking?” he finally asked.
    “Steve, you’re the one with something on your mind. I’m sitting here enjoying the morning and watching the horses. If you have something you want to say, spit it out.”
    “You’re a real bitch sometimes, you know that?” He stood and dumped the dregs of his coffee.
    Sami blocked his path. “ I’m a bitch? You know what, you’d better get your head on straight. I told you before we left Ohio that you need a major attitude adjustment, or there won’t be a reason to discuss the future. I wasn’t kidding when I told you to give me a reason not to go file for divorce. I told you I’d give you one more chance, but I’m sick of this bullshit, and I am done playing guessing games with you. If you have something on your mind, say it. You’re slipping back into some dangerous territory here.”
    His eyes widened. “Dangerous territory” was their euphemism for his drinking behaviors. His shoulders slumped. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He looked at the horses, who worked their way around the corner of the house. “I’m just…” He paused, grasping at words. “I don’t know. I feel unsettled. I don’t know what to do.”
    “Then say so.” She felt bad about taking his head off and reached for his hand, her tone softening. “Tell me, ‘This is what’s on my mind,’ and say it. Don’t try to manipulate me into something. Just talk with me.”
    He pulled her into a hug. “Why do you put up with me?”
    She thought about it. Why did she? “I know you’re under a lot of pressure, but you can’t keep treating me like this and expect me to be happy about it. I feel like I’m part of the backstory now, not one of your main characters.”
    He buried his face in her hair. “I’m sorry. I feel bad I dumped all this on you. I want to make you happy.”
    He was back. Her Steve—the man she married.
    For how long?
    “I have to be honest with you—I worry you’ll start drinking again, the way you’ve been