Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Yep.” A slow smile crept across Jude’s face as he turned for the ranch. “I’ve got more steak. I can pick you up after my last call.”
“That works.” I hated being reliant on him for rides, but that situation was what it was. I had a re-evaluation with my doctor coming up, but I continued to temper my hopes.
Jude parked near the horse barn. No other hands were in sight, but the clock on the dashboard said breakfast at the bunkhouse was likely finished. I settled for a meaningful nod as I exited Jude’s truck. Didn’t want to make my arrival back any more noteworthy than it was.
I also didn’t let myself watch Jude’s retreat as I made my way to the barn, ready to get to mucking. I’d worry about a shower and a change of clothes later. I also needed to check on Linus before I started work. However, right as I reached the main barn door, Colt appeared, looking all official in his sheriff’s uniform.
Damn it. I’d been so close to avoiding the gallop of shame. I forced a smile. “Morning.”
“Morning.” The greeting was casual enough, but the curiosity in Colt’s eyes gave him away. “Heard you had a late night with Jude.”
“Injured horse call went long.” I managed to deliver the explanation smoothly, which was a minor win, even if Colt’s expression stayed intent.
“And it was easier to sleep there?” He narrowed his gaze at me, so I narrowed mine right back.
“I got a curfew now?”
“No, of course not.” Colt held up his hands. “I’m glad you’re making friends. And I’m sure Jude appreciated your help with the horse.”
“Yep.” I set my jaw, bracing for further questioning.
“Have you been going to that support group with him?” Sure enough, Colt was in full-on interrogation mode.
“Colt.” I gritted out his name, sorely tempted to do like our mother and use his full name. “Chill.”
“Sorry. None of my business.” Colt said the words, but I was far from convinced he meant them. “I’m happy you’re settling in. Kat says you’re doing amazing work with that horse.”
“Trying.” My tone stayed strained despite the compliment. I was ready to send Colt on his way. “Linus is a good horse.”
“Guess you’re a real cowboy now, favorite horse and all.” Colt chuckled as if the leap from sergeant to ranch hand were comedy gold. “You always did have a way with animals.”
“Thanks.” My voice was drier than hay.
“You want to come over for dinner tonight?” Unfazed, Colt continued to smile, undoubtedly getting to the real reason for his visit to the barn before work. “I’m off at a decent hour, and Maverick is talking about making pizza with the girls.”
Crap. I didn’t want Colt any more involved in my personal life, but I also couldn’t lie. “I’ve got plans.”
“Plans?” Colt’s head tilted as he considered this impossibility.
“Plans.” I didn’t like the skepticism in his tone, but I softened my voice nonetheless. No need to pick a fight. “Sorry. Another time.”
“Okay.” Colt drew out the word before giving a slow nod. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything.”
“Yep. Appreciate it.” My tone returned to straw-level dryness. Strangely, though, as Colt walked away, I had a brief urge to confess everything to my brother. However, I wasn’t sure precisely how to describe what Jude and I had going. Friends with benefits seemed far too casual for my surge of emotions at the mere mention of his name. Moreover, Jude and I seemed equally reluctant to define what we were doing. And I’d been the one to suggest secrecy.
Jude and Colt were friends. What if Jude wouldn’t take kindly to me disclosing our fooling around? Perhaps this was more casual and short-term for him. The easy answer was to talk to Jude, but I knew I wouldn’t. Not yet. I wanted to let things play out more, enjoy the time we did have, however long that ended up being. Maybe if I waited, Jude would be the one to bring up the future. That would be the best solution to this awkward limbo land.
Resolved, I got to work on mucking out the stalls. I was faster now than I’d been back when I started. Funny the difference six weeks or so could make. Felt longer than nearly two months, a testament to how much I’d changed since my arrival.
Grayson came by to check in on my work, but thank God, he didn’t see fit to mention my absence from breakfast at the bunkhouse. He had a few other tasks for me, but the morning workload was light enough that I was able to squeeze in a therapy session with Linus before lunch.
After some TENS unit treatment and other exercises, I returned to leading Linus over poles on the ground, a task that had been nearly impossible at the start of the week.