Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Baby.” Tucker’s voice cracks, and then he’s rocking me back and forth, and all I can do is cling to him, soothing him just as much as he’s soothing me.
“I’m a mess, Tucker. In so many ways. So if you’d rather call it a day, and we just work together, or I get reassigned, I understand completely.”
“Whoa.” He pulls back and frowns down into my face as he gently—always so gently—brushes my hair back behind my ear. “You think that because you got the short end of the stick in the parental gene pool that I would want to back away from you?”
“It’s a lot,” I whisper. “I can’t do storms. They’re the worst. Because he’d tie us up outside and make us sit through it. He was cruel and—”
“He wasn’t cruel, he was a motherfucking monster,” he breaks in, and for the first time since I’ve known him, he sounds truly pissed off. “And I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“He’s dead.”
He lowers his forehead to mine and his jaw tenses. I can see that he’s reigning in his temper, but it doesn’t scare me at all.
“I wish he wasn’t dead,” he says, so low that I almost can’t hear him. “Because I’d love to torture him.”
“I’m glad he’s gone.” I press my hands to his cheeks and offer him a smile. “Because he’s gone, my sisters and I can heal. We’re doing so much better. We really are.”
“I need to promise you something, right here and now.” His whole body is tight, every muscle clenched with emotion. “I will never touch you in anger. Never, Darby. I think I’m the most ragey I’ve ever been in my life in this moment, because the thought of anyone hurting you in any way makes me want to tear the world apart.”
Wow.
“You don’t have to worry about me hurting you.”
“I know that.” I push my fingers into his hair, trying to soothe him. “I know you won’t. I have an instinct for these things. And I promise to not turn every conversation into my childhood trauma.”
“You can talk about anything you want. I like listening to you.”
“Honestly, I’m not usually this verbose.”
He kicks up an eyebrow. “Using the big words now, are we?”
And just like that, all the tension melts away, and I let out a small laugh.
“I’m smart, Hotshot.”
“Don’t I know it.” He boops my nose and then checks the time. “The farrier should be here soon. He had to push back to this afternoon.”
I nod as we walk toward the barn. We’ve already ridden Ellie this morning, and now all the animals have been fed and watered. I’m going to brush out the horses this afternoon, after their hooves are done, so I’m out of the way, but I can watch the farrier at work.
A truck pulls in just as we reach the barn, and Tucker scowls as he watches a man who looks to be in his forties get out of the cab and start walking toward us.
“Is something wrong?” I ask Tucker as he slides his hand into mine, linking our fingers, as if he wants to keep me close.
As if he’s protecting me.
“I don’t know.” His voice is grim, and he’s definitely not happy.
The man, who’s muscular and fit, with salt-and-pepper hair and tanned skin, nods as he approaches us.
“Hey, Tucker,” he says, but his eyes flit to me. He offers me a smile and taps the brim of his hat. “Ma’am. George couldn’t get away from that emergency he was taking care of this morning, and he asked me to fill in for him. He said he sent you a message, Tucker.”
Tucker pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks it.
“I didn’t see it,” he murmurs, and then sighs when he checks a different message. “Fuck, I have to go out with my guys for a bit to check on something.”
He turns to me, and I see the uncertainty in his eyes. He doesn’t want to leave me alone with this guy.
“I’m Peter,” the man says, but doesn’t offer me his hand. “I’ll be taking care of the horses this afternoon. I’ve been out here with George before.”
“Hi.” I offer Peter a nod and then turn back to Tucker. “You should go. I’m fine here. I’m going to brush the horses after they get their manicures. They’ll feel shiny and new. A spa day.”
Tucker’s eyes soften and then he turns back to Peter. “I’ll be gone for an hour. You’re working on all of the horses in the barn today.”
“I have my orders from George,” Peter says with a nod, and then returns to his truck so he can get his things and dig in.
Tucker turns to me. “Do you want to go with me?”
I frown up at him. “I’m fine here. Really. Why, don’t you trust that guy?”