Page 43 of Downpour

The silhouette moved closer from the other end of the barn. “Sheis a pretty girl.”

“I—I’m sorry. I was just?—”

“What are you doing in my barn?” Cowboy boots thudded against the concrete as the man stepped into a beam of sunlight. “This is private property, sweetheart.”

He shared similar features to Ray and Christian, but his hair and eyes were much lighter.

“I’m sorry. I was just taking a walk and I got curious.”

He looked me up and down and made a snap judgment. “You’re the girl Ray hasn’t fired yet.”

I laughed. “Well, that’s one way to put it.” I stuck my hand out. “Brooke Stacey.”

He held up his dirt-covered palms. “Trust me, you don’t want to shake my hand.”

I laughed. “That’s fair. Thank you. Are you one of Ray’s brothers? You look like one of them.”

He tipped his chin. “Yes, ma’am. Carson Griffith. Most folks around here just call me CJ.”

“Nice to meet you, CJ.” I looked around, still feeling like I was going to get scolded. “Sorry for crashing your barn. I just needed to get some fresh air.”

He laughed. “It’s no bother. You must be something special if Ray hasn’t made you run for the hills yet.”

The horse I had been petting nibbled at my hair. I giggled and tossed my ponytail out of the way.

“You like animals?”

“Love them,” I said as I offered my open palm to let the horse get a sense of me. “I didn’t have any growing up, so having a cow hanging out on Ray’s deck is a little like living in a zoo.”

CJ chuckled. “I bet.” He stepped closer, reached in his pocket, and pulled out a peppermint. “This is Independence, but we call her Indy. She’s Ray’s horse.”

I took the peppermint he offered and gave it to Indy. She gently nibbled at it. “Does everyone have their own horse?”

CJ nodded. “Most of them are out right now.” He pointed to another horse a few stalls down. “That’s Dottie. She’s Bree’s horse, but Cassandra rides her too. Christian rides Liberty, but they’re in the fields today.” He pointed to a black horse in the fenced area outside the barn. “That one’s mine. The rest of them are fine with people approaching, but don’t go near Anny.”

“Anny… Short for?—”

“Anarchy,” he said.

And for some reason, that fit him.

“Is it okay if I hang out here for a little bit? I promise I won’t mess with anything.”

Concern marred his face. It wasn’t fatherly like Christian’s, but it lacked the heat of Ray’s gaze. “Everything going alright at the house?”

“With Ray? Of course! Everything’s great! Why wouldn’t it be?”

Ugh. I was a terrible liar. Ray knew exactly where to shoot to kill, and I felt like I was bleeding out after he yelled at me.

CJ laughed. “I don’t believe you, but okay.”

I grimaced. “I’m trying really hard to not get fired, and I think we both need a little space.”

Indy nuzzled my shoulder, and I returned her love with gentle strokes.

“I know you’ve got a job to do, but if you ever need a hand, there’s always someone around. Okay?” He turned and motioned for me to follow. “See that house in the distance?”

I followed his finger as we stood at the threshold of the stables. “Yeah.”

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