Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“What are you doing hiding out?” I asked as I plopped myself down a few steps lower than where Grayson was perched.
“Eating in peace is underrated.” He gave me a meaningful look that I fully intended to ignore. Instead, I surveyed his plate of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and other sides. At least a third of the plate was occupied by a generous portion of green bean casserole.
My oldest sister and I didn’t talk all that often, but she’d been happy enough to send me the recipe and chat a bit about her kids’ school activities and my ranch adventures, the sort of small talk that usually left me lonelier than before I’d called. But obtaining the recipe had been worth it, especially if Grayson liked the dish.
“What did you think of the casserole?”
“It’ll do.” He shrugged, but his small, pleased smile gave him away.
I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. “I tried hard.”
“I know you did. You did good.” Grayson gentled his tone. “I…uh…suck at giving compliments.”
“Except when you don’t.” I gave him a pointed stare that replayed the heated memory of every bit of sexy praise he’d handed out.
“Fair.” He shrugged again, mood far easier than his typical sternness. “Maverick said you’re sticking around for Christmas too. Figured you might go home for one holiday or the other.”
“Nah.” I sighed, intending to leave it at that, but Grayson’s easy mood invited more honesty as opposed to chitchat. “As it turns out, having a big family is no guarantee you’ll fit in with any of them.”
“I’m sorry.” He frowned, a fierce look sweeping across his expression like he might personally give a lecture to each of my siblings.
“Don’t be.” I waved my fork. “It wasn’t all bad, even if I did slip through the cracks in parental attention. I wouldn’t say I was a problem child, and I learned to live in the chaos of our household, but I was also always aware that I was…different.”
“You mean being gay?” Grayson lowered his voice.
“That too.” I shrugged. There were indeed nine of us, and I was the only openly queer sibling, but our differences ran deeper. “More that I wanted to be the center of attention in a family with no room for show-offs. My parents called me the needy one, which I guess was fair.”
“Penalizing you for liking some attention doesn’t sound fair to me.” Grayson’s glower was more severe than any priest’s censure and undoubtedly would have had both my parents quaking.
“It felt like the harder I tried, the less I fit in until I finally stopped trying as much,” I admitted. I’d learned to bake cookies, made deals and bets, been the family clown, but those efforts never seemed to pay off.
“You seem to be fittin’ in here.” Grayson’s tone was more thoughtful, but the words landed like an unexpected compliment.
“You think?” I beamed at him. The rare praise I didn’t have to court was sweet indeed. “And thank you.”
“Trust me. I’m surprised.” He chuckled and finished another bite of turkey before adding, “But I gotta give credit. You’re doin’ right fine work, and you’ve won over the bunkhouse.”
“Cookies will do that.” I might be a hopeless optimist, but I was also pragmatic.
“You could never make another batch, and Casey and Kat would still have your back.” Grayson gave me a fierce stare like I’d missed some essential point.
I wasn’t sure I believed him. For most of my life, my worth had been predicated on what I could do for others. From early deals and bargains with my siblings through friend groups and my hotel work, my value seemed highest when I could be of service. I didn’t know what to make of his assertion and definitely wasn’t about to test his theory, but I nodded anyway.
“Thanks.”
“You coming over after the meal to check on the dogs?” Grayson’s tone was almost indifferent, yet the question felt far weightier than usual.
“I could.” I matched his idle tone. Lately, he’d been handling the dogs at night, no doubt in an attempt to see me less. “Is that an invitation?”
“Suit yourself.” Plate now empty, Grayson stretched. “Reckon I’ll get caught up on Jeopardy either way.”
“Oh, I’m down for some Jeopardy.” Memories of last time filled me with more heat than advisable for the number of people milling around. “I need to finish passing the Secret Santa signup sheet before people start leaving. Shall I put your name down?”
“You know me better than that,” he scoffed as he stood.
“I do.” I stood as well, blocking his descent. “And if anyone deserves a little surprise, it’s you.”
“Ha. Out here, surprises are liable to be deadly.” His eyes took on a world-weariness I’d give a lot to erase. “I’ve had my share of shockers, thank you. I’ll leave the fun to others.”
“If you’re sure…” I trailed off, already plotting ways to surprise him no matter how much he protested.