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)
“You do belong here.” Maverick made his voice Grayson-levels of stern. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“I won’t.” I meant the promise. I wasn’t going to let Grayson chase me off from a life I was coming to love. I needed him to understand that I wasn’t staying for him or even the potential of something together. I was staying for me.
Later, after Colt had returned and Maverick had stopped fussing over me, I walked back to the bunkhouse. The flicker of Grayson’s porch light called to me, as did his nearby truck. I could go to him, and as on New Year’s Eve, he likely wouldn’t turn me away. But I deserved more. Hell, we both deserved more. Secrets were no way to live. I was done pretending scraps were okay when I wanted to feast. I was also done hiding behind a well-placed smile, happy to be what others needed. It was time to be the person I needed, regardless of what happened with Grayson.
Chapter Thirty-One
Adler
My resolve hadn’t wavered by Sunday morning, which dawned as cold and lonely as the rest of February had proven to be. Working with Maverick had been keeping me busy, but I continued to try to pitch in with barn chores. Besides, stall mucking was a good distraction from Maverick’s impending birthday party, Valentine’s Day next week, and my Grayson troubles.
Of course it would be easier to forget the guy if he didn’t appear behind me right as I finished carefully changing out the bedding for Mama Fern and Winnie.
“Need your help with something.” Grayson didn’t sound particularly thrilled to need me, which likely meant I was the only option around.
“Of course, boss.” I kept my tone all-business, no tease.
“Not your boss.” He reacted as tersely as I’d expected. “This way.”
Grayson led me out of what I jokingly called the maternity ward, past Diamond Lil and Cinder, not stopping to admire the excellent mucking job I’d done on that row as well. His limp was more pronounced today. Was he sleeping well? Eating? I hated not being able to ask, hated feeling more like strangers than…whatever we’d been before. Friends? Lovers? Something. I swallowed back a frustrated sigh.
He stopped at the end of the row near a stall that had been empty an hour ago. The new occupant was a tall caramel horse with creamy markings. A little on the thin side, same as Cinder had been.
“Who is this?” I asked, stretching out a cautious hand to pat the horse. “Did Kat bring in a new rescue?”
“He’s another rescue, yeah. I saw the post from the rescue organization and picked him up.” Grayson kicked at a nearby strand of loose hay.
“For you?” I tried to read his downcast face, but he sure wasn’t making it easy. “You’re not replacing Diamond Lil, are you?”
“Not for me. For you.” He continued to avoid my gaze, which confused me further.
“For me? I pretty much just ride whichever horse is free or whoever needs exercise that day.”
“I know, but a cowboy needs his own dedicated horse.” He gave a sharp nod, like this was a simple fact of nature and not a hell of a surprising gesture.
“You’re giving me a horse?” My pulse sped up and my hands went clammy as I struggled to understand.
“Appears that way.” Grayson’s tone was testy as if he didn’t care for all my questions. Tough. I couldn’t help my confusion, and I kept right on staring at him as he continued, “Thought about asking Maverick if I could buy Winnie, but it’s gonna be a long time before she’s ready to ride. This guy’s ready now. Didn’t come with a name. Feel free to do your pop culture worst.”
“I’m sorry. I’m stuck on you giving me a horse.” No way could I gather enough brain power for horse names. I had no idea what to make of Grayson’s gift, especially not when he was acting like he’d rather be having any other conversation than this one.
“My dad gave me my first horse. Said I’d shown I was ready for the responsibility.” Grayson set his jaw with even more determination than ever, rugged features sharp enough to chisel a granite mountainside. “I’d been riding as long as I could remember, but I felt like a real cowboy that day. Couldn’t drive or shave yet, but I felt grown.”
“Sounds like a good memory.” I used a cautious tone. “So this is you saying I’ve proven my worth as a cowboy?”
What I truly wanted to know was whether this was an apology horse or a consolation prize in place of the future I longed for, but I wasn’t sure Grayson himself had an answer there.
“If you’re sticking around, it makes sense for you to have your own horse. You don’t want to be sharin’ Cinder with a bunch of noisy tourists.”