Page 82 of Hold Me Before You Go

“If you’d like,” Valerie offered, “we’d would love to tell you that story, but it has some dark parts.”

“I’m used to darkness,” I replied, wanting to laugh.

Harmony and Valerie shared another look, and then they shared their story.

By the end of it, I had fallen even more in love with Grayson, and I didn’t think that was possible. Shortly after the story was finished and our tears were dried, the men flooded the house. Grayson came straight to me and remained beside me as the rest of the Hallow Ranch cowboys introduced themselves, including an older gentleman named Jigs, who was Beau’s father. Then, there were the children; Denver’s teenage son, Caleb, who was the spitting image of his father, and NJ, Valerie and Denver’sbaby girl. She was named after both of their mothers: Nancy Jane.

The day turned into evening, and the Langston brothers ended up cooking dinner for everyone, working in tandem in the beautiful green kitchen. The farmhouse was crowded that evening, filled with stories, light bickering between the cowboys, and even laughter. Toward the end of the night, I moved out onto the front porch for some air, the winter cold hitting my cheeks the second I stepped outside.

Grayson and Hayes were in a deep conversation with Mason about something, and I took the opportunity to step away. After the last few days, I just needed some quiet, some time to try and wrap my head around all of this.

I wrapped the coat around myself and let out a long breath, watching it drift out into the night as I shivered.

“It’s too cold out here for you.”

I jumped, yelping slightly, and turned to find Mags leaning against the corner of the house, in the shadows. “I could say the same for you,” I told him.

He said nothing, looking back into the night as, in the distance, the howl of a wolf echoed through the winter air.

How long had he been out here?

Why wasn’t he inside with everyone, with his family?

“Thank you,” I blurted, holding my breath.

When he finally looked at me again, he asked, “For what?”

“For saving my life,” I whispered.

The tortured cowboy moved then, his boots carrying him across the porch, not stopping until he was directly in front of me. He stared down at me, his eyes hidden by the shadow of his hat, the light of the house behind him. “Don’t thank me,” he rumbled.

“I owe you my life,” I croaked.

He hooked his finger under my chin as it wobbled, his face serious. “Keep saving Grayson’s life, and we’ll be square.”

“But—”

Mags dropped his hand and moved by me, walking down the steps. “Don’t lose that light of yours, Carrie. That’s what keeps him alive.”

Before I could even get another word out, he was gone, walking into the night. A second later, I heard the door open and felt a familiar body behind me, his heat enveloping me as he wrapped an arm around my front. “What are you doing out here?” Grayson asked, his deep voice skating over my cold skin.

“Talking to Mags,” I whispered, still staring into the darkness.

Grayson was quiet for a moment, touching my cold cheek. “I owe him.”

So did I.

Mags had saved Grayson’s life and mine, and yet? He was still alone in this world. His words echoed in my mind.

Don’t lose that light of yours, Carrie. That’s what keeps him alive.

Who was keeping Mags alive?

Chapter Twenty

Grayson

Two days later. Red Snake Offices. Denver, CO.

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