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)
“Nah.” I gently sponged him off with the towel I’d stashed. “Got at least three episodes to catch up on and that pie you stole to eat. Reckon you’ll be here awhile.”
“Good.” He stretched to give me a fast kiss on the cheek. Funny how I’d had my tongue near down his throat in the hottest fuck of my life, yet that sweet little kiss made me shudder, wobblier than an old fence post.
Chapter Twenty
Adler
“You’re looking pretty comfortable up there.” Kat entered the arena as Pepperjack and I made our final loop around.
“Thanks.” I grinned over at her. “And thanks for asking for my help exercising the horses. Best afternoon I’ve had all week.”
Luckily, Kat had missed the part where Pepperjack had been none too pleased that I wasn’t Willow. Before Pepperjack, I’d exercised and groomed Magnolia, Adzuki, and Cinder, who was my more usual ride. It was December in Colorado, and the horses were as stir crazy as the humans in the lingering cold snap.
“Well, with the girls gone, the horses are pining for them. Figured it would do them good to get some attention.” Kat smiled back. It was a bit of a weird week all around with Maverick and Hannah in Arizona for Faith’s graduation from a ninety-day treatment program. Colt and Willow were in Denver on a holiday gifts and wedding shopping trip and would then pick up the three others from the airport for a night in Denver before returning home.
“Happy to do it.” I brought Pepperjack around and easily dismounted next to Kat. She was right in that I was way more comfortable now than two months ago, even with horses that weren’t on my usual rotation for stall mucking and grooming.
“I’ll help you put away Pepperjack, so we can make it on time for supper.” Kat followed me to Pepperjack’s stall.
“Thanks.” I grabbed the muck cart and rake while Kat took over unsaddling the horse. “It’s easy to lose track of time while riding.”
“Don’t I know it.” Kat chuckled. She was a similar age to Maverick and Colt and had been a barrel racer at local rodeos growing up, much like Colt’s daughter Willow. Now, as stable manager, she was in charge of most of the quarter horse operation on the ranch, but when she smiled and flipped her long dark braid, I could see traces of the horse-mad teen she must have been. “How are you coping without Maverick?”
“Fine. Lately, my work has been more with the other hands anyway.” I didn’t want people thinking I had special privileges as Maverick’s friend. “We’re waiting to start most of the dude ranch plans until after the wedding. And after Faith’s return. Having her back will be another adjustment.”
“I’m sure. How’s she doing?” Kat asked as she brushed Pepperjack. “I sent a few cards to the address Maverick gave me. Hope the program went well for her.”
“Me too.” Having been on my own sobriety journey, I had a great deal of empathy for Faith despite not knowing her very well. “I’ve reached out to share meeting schedules for when she’s back, but she hasn’t said much to me directly either. Maverick says she seems subdued but overall positive about the program.”
“That’s good.” Kat nodded before checking the feed and water. “You planning anything to welcome her back, or do you think that might be too much?”
“I don’t want to overwhelm Faith.” Parties might be my jam, but celebrating the completion of a court-ordered rehab was delicate business. “Maverick wanted to wait to decorate the Christmas tree with her back, so I’ve planned cookies and a hot chocolate buffet for this weekend, but no welcome home party or anything like that.”
“Probably smart.” Kat moved so I could finish mucking, and we both exited the stall.
“Oh, and there will be extra cookies and hot chocolate for the bunkhouse tree decorating too.”
“We’re getting a tree?” Kat blinked as she stopped by her office. “That’s a first. Can’t believe Gray said yes to that.”
“I might have skipped asking permission.” I adopted an airy tone and matching smile, but internally, I had no such confidence. Grayson might have softened a bit toward me in private since Thanksgiving, but he didn’t share my enthusiasm for the season.
“Not surprised.” Kat picked her scarf and heavier coat off the desk chair, only to reveal a small stack of rainbow candy canes. “And what do we have here?” She gave a girlish laugh as she offered one to me. “My Secret Santa strikes again. I’ve got more Christmas candy than I know what to do with.”
“Whose name did you draw?” I’d put names of those who wanted to participate in a paper bag and let folks draw rather than making a spreadsheet, so I didn’t know who all had each other. It was more fun that way.