Page 31 of Stables

She doesn’t need to worry about me being here.

But then I catch sight of the horses on the outside of the barn.

Scratching the fresh scruff on my chin, I gesture towards them. “Do they need a flake or two before I leave?”

Her dainty brows furrow as she glances over the shoulder of her pink shirt. “Um, you don’t need to—”

I wave her quiet with a grunt. “I’m already here. Besides, it’ll help me loosen up before I’m in a saddle all day.”

“Okay.” Her tongue pokes out, touching the healing scab on her lip as she smiles.

Pulling the cover with me, I lean forward and pick up the hot mug.

Even though I’d prefer a little sugar, I take a tentative sip of it, as is.

It’s surprisingly crisp, and lightly sweet. “This is good.”

“I’m glad you like it. It’s my own blend.” She squints, turning to let the sun hit her face. “I appreciate you coming by. Paisley didn’t have a fever when she woke up.” Her mouth purses before she looks down. “It was nice to have a night I didn’t have to worry.”

When her blue eyes move back to meet mine, I swear I see tears in the corners.

Damn it.

“Well, you saved me a bit of driving time. I’m glad it worked out.” I don’t want to hurry her away, but I’m currently stuck under my sleeping bag until she leaves so I can crawl out of here in my underwear.

And it’s getting hotter.

As if she’s reading my mind, she takes a half step away. “I have more tea if you want any for the road.” Turning on her heel, she disappears past the hood of the truck.

The click of her door is the signal I was waiting for. Sliding out of the oven my bed roll has turned into, I unfold my jeans and kick them on.

My dick is finally soft enough to tuck behind my zipper and let me bend over to put on my boots.

I don’t know what the hell that was about, but it’s been a while since I’ve woken up that hard. Must be the outside air.

I’m not sure what I was expecting going into the aging barn, but it wasn’t that everything would be neat and organized.

The tools are labeled and hanging on the wall, the saddles are coordinated by size in the tack stall.

Even the walkway is clear of loose straw.

Color me impressed.

I bet when she isn’t knocked down, she’s a hell of a worker.

Fuck, it pisses me off that her ex did that to her. No one deserves it.

She’s out here thriving despite him. It makes me want to help her even more seeing that she’s trying so hard.

A spigot just inside the main pasture gate has a timer valve. Smart.

Flipping the switch, I know it will go off in just a few minutes.

How many times when I was a kid did I forget to turn off the water?

Well, not many. But Mason and Cade sure did.

Especially Cade. He was the wildest of us three brothers.

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