Page 12 of Merry & Wild

“I hope that new baby filly will be okay.”

“They’re in the barn,” I reply. “They’ll be fine. Just let me know when you’re ready to come home, and I’ll come get you.”

“Thanks. See you in a few days. I’ll call Mom now.”

I hang up and drag my hand down my face. Honestly, there are a few things I should see to tonight, but I don’t want to leave Joy alone.

Not that she isn’t safe and can’t handle herself.

I just don’t want to leave her because I’m rapidly becoming addicted to her.

I make my way back down the hallway and see that Joy is lying down, curled up and softly breathing. If she’s passed out, I can hurry outside and do a couple of things really quick, then sneak back in, and she won’t even know that I was gone.

So, I reach for my jeans and start to slide them on.

“Are you trying to sneak out of your own house?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No. I have to see to a few things on the ranch since this storm is so out of control.”

“I’ll help.” She immediately stands and reaches for her own clothes.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know.” She pulls her sweater over her head and pushes her hair off of her face. “But I want to. You shouldn’t have to go out in the cold all by yourself. That’s not fair.”

“It’smyranch,” I remind her. “Of course, it’s fair.”

“Do you think that Ican’thelp you?” There’s a challenge in her eyes now that makes me want to climb over this bed, pull her against me, and kiss the hell out of her.

“I think you’re more than capable,” I reply as I slip a shirt on. The first of a few layers. “But you don’t have the right clothes to simply walk to the barn from here.”

“I can borrow your clothes,” she insists.

“Honey, you swim in my clothes.”

“But I’ll be warm.” She flashes me a wide smile. “I can do this. Iwantto help.”

“Okay.” I sigh and pull another layer of clothing over my head, then root around and find some things for Joy, then pass them to her. “I want you good and bundled up. It’s damn cold out there, the wind is blowing, and it’s dark. You stay with me. I don’t need you getting lost and freezing to death.”

“Trust me, I won’t let you out of my sight.”

We hurry to dress, and then I push a thick hat that my mom knitted an eon ago on Joy’s head.

“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter as I lead her to the door.

“Are you nervous?” she asks with surprise.

“I’m happy to show you the ranch, but this isn’t what this is. You won’t be able to see much of anything, and I want to quickly get through the chores so we can get back here and warm up.”

“I understand,” she says with a solemn nod. “I won’t get in your way, but I’m an extra pair of hands to help where you need me.”

“Follow me. The barn is about fifty yards away. Just walk in my footsteps. Yell out to me if you get stuck, or if you want to come back to the cabin.”

“Okay. I will.”

I set off, always mindful of where Joy is and how she’s doing behind me. So far, she’s keeping up, and we’re more than halfway to the barn.

Once inside the barn, we stomp the snow off of our boots, and I pull my winter gloves off to replace them with work gloves.I’m relieved to see that one of my ranch hands has already been out here and fired up the electric heaters to warm the place up.

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