His smile faded a bit, and he turned and grabbed his saddle. He began getting his horse ready. Neither one of us said anything as we saddled up the horses, got on them, and headed out.
I couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Daddy, why don’t you like Will?”
He snapped his head over and looked at me. “What? I love Will like a son. I just don’t like the idea of him dating my daughter.”
“I would think you’d like it better than some strange guy I might meet at UT. Will loves me, Daddy, and he treats me so good, like how you treat Mom.”
Daddy smiled and nodded his head. “I don’t doubt that, sweetheart.” He let out a sigh. “Alex, it’s just that the two of you only know each other and your close circle of friends. You’ve always been a part of the ranch and Mason. I want you both to have the chance to explore other things, other ideas. I know you say you want to come back and live on the ranch with Will, but you haven’t even begun to experience life outside of Mason, Alex.”
I looked down and frowned. “Daddy, why is it so hard for you to believe that I want to have a life like you and Mom? I love the ranch just as much as you, Mom, Colt, Will, and Luke. It just seems unfair.”
He nodded his head and looked ahead. “Alex, you’re going to college, and things will be so different. I know you love the ranch, sweetheart. I just want you to keep an open mind. You might go to Austin and decide that you love Austin. I want you to be happy, Alex. I never want you to settle. I want you to have every opportunity possible, and I don’t want this relationship with Will to cloud any of that.”
I bit down on my lower lip. We stayed silent as our horses walked along for a bit more.
“Daddy, I love Will. I can’t see my future without him.”
“Alex, I’m not doubting your love for him. Just know that it is possible that you will meet someone else in college who will—”
I looked at him. “Who will what?”
He stopped his horse, and I brought Banjo to a stop.
“Who will make you doubt your feelings for Will.”
My mouth dropped open. I looked down at my promise ring and then back into my father’s eyes. “That will never happen—ever.”
He gave me a weak smile and nodded his head. “Come on, let’s see what Banjo has against Apache. Let’s race down to the river.”
I giggled as I kicked Banjo, and we took off racing toward the water.