Burning Barriers (Barriers Series Book 3) by Sara Shirley

sucking on her fingernail is not one of them.
    A few horses roam in the paddocks along the long driveway. Their tails flick as their heads bob close to the ground, pulling at the grass before standing upright. As we round the final corner, the two-story old Victorian ranch house comes into view, and I see Luce start running her hands on her jean-covered thighs. I pull her left hand over, lacing my fingers with hers before kissing the back of her hand.
    “Don’t be nervous. She’s been waiting to see you since you pulled off the highway.”
    “Stop it!” Lucy shrieks. “I’m not nervous. It’s just we used to be so close, and then I took off and never called.”
    “Luce, all that matters to her is that you’re here now. She’s been trying to get me to bring you out sooner, but the ranch has been too busy for her to leave. Laurel and SJ have been working nonstop out here trying to get the summer programs running smoothly.”
    “And then there’s that .”
    “I told you, Luce. There’s nothing between Laurel and me. You just have to believe me when I say that. Lord knows she’s SJ’s problem these days.”
    “Wait. Those two are going out?”
    “Yeah, I was just as shocked when it started shortly after… Well, let’s just say I was shocked when it all started with those two,” I inform her. What I don’t tell Lucy is that just because Laurel is going out with SJ, it hasn’t stopped her from trying to make the moves on me when I work late at the ranch. Laurel is always trying to get back at me for not showing any interest in her.
    One step at a time, but if Laurel says anything to Lucy before I do, I know I’ll end up looking like the one at fault. Lucy still doesn’t trust me one hundred percent, and Laurel doesn’t give a shit about SJ and vice versa. Their parents basically keep them together because it’s good for the family image, which is one reason why SJ likes to run his mouth and is constantly bitter around people.
    As I throw the truck into park, I see my mother rushing down the front steps. Her blonde hair is pushed inside her straw cowboy hat. The sleeves of her plaid shirt are rolled up to her elbows, and her rubber stall-mucking boots squeak their way closer to us. You’d never know my mother ran a million dollar ranch and owned the luxury ski home I grew up in by the way she dresses. She’s the most down-to-earth woman around, and money or no money, she works the ranch just like the rest of us. Dad started this ranch from the ground up, and she’ll stop at nothing to keep it running in his memory.
    “Jake, she hasn’t changed at all.” Lucy laughs as she goes to open the truck door. “Still the same ol’ Andrea,” she says as she hops out of the truck.
    Surprisingly enough, once Lucy sees my mom’s giant smile, she runs into her arms and hugs her as though nothing happened between us. I cross my arms over my chest and catch Laurel peeking out from the office window. Her face shows no sign of emotion, although she knows my mother will never hug her like that. Laurel catches me staring at her and quickly turns away.
    Mom pulls away from her embrace with Lucy and laughs as she wipes away the tears falling down her cheeks. I hear her comment about how beautiful a woman Lucy has grown up to be. Lucy blushes and smiles at my mom, continuing with regular chatter as though the last seven years apart never happened.
    Chicks. Sometimes it’s easier not to try to understand them.
    I uncross my arms and push off the truck I’ve been leaning on for at least five minutes and head over to the girls.
    “I hate to break up the reunion, but if Luce and I are going to get out to her spot, we’ll need to saddle up and get started now.”
    “No worries, Jake. I already had SJ get the boys ready for you. Pumpkin Pie and Roman Numeral are waiting in the back paddock for you two,” Mom says while making her way over to the barn. Lucy and I follow closely behind, even though I’m pretty sure Lucy