Page 24 of Bravo

“No,” I admit. “It’s not.”

“There is nothing that can bring you peace quite like God’s word.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“No?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure what I believe.”

“A lot of people aren’t,” he replies and pulls the truck to a stop in front of my cabin. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m around.”

“Thanks. I’m okay though.” I open the door and climb out. Bradyn does, too, meeting me in front of the truck. “You don’t have to walk me up.”

“I know, it’s habit.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Thanks for letting me tag along tonight. I had fun.”

“It was fun,” I reply, grateful that for once I can speak the whole truth. “Maybe you can tag along the next time they’re showing a movie your sister is horrified I’ve never seen before.”

He laughs. “I’d like that.” He turns to head back toward his truck but pauses at the door. “Good night, Sammy.”

A smile spreads over my face. “Good night, Bradyn.”

CHAPTER 8

BRADYN

I’d seriously hoped Sammy would be up and at the barn first thing this morning just like she was yesterday. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened, and I ended up spending the morning cleaning horse stalls while I mentally went over every second of last night.

It really was a great night.

The best I’d had in a while.

Seeing Sammy outside of the ranch meant I got to see a woman who smiled often and laughed at Lani’s jokes. Even a few of mine. Though she’s still guarded, I’d gotten to see more of her personality by the time I’d dropped her off.

And by the time I got home, I’d come to the conclusion that I desperately want to know more about Sammy Lewis. Maybe take her to dinner one day, just the two of us.

I dump the final wheelbarrow and head back into the barn to remove my gloves and take a drink from my bottle of water. Bravo is stretched out just inside the breezeway, his belly up in the air, body in a crescent shape as he snores happily.

Oh, to be a dog.

“Hey, I thought I might find you here.” Elliot steps into the barn. He spent a good portion of yesterday ordering food for theanimals. Then, because the delivery trucks were down, he and Riley did a run first thing this morning to pick it up.

“Just trying to kill some time before dinner. How’s it going?”

“Not bad. We got all the bags unloaded. We’re about to head over to the church for service.”

“Service? What time is it?” I check my watch, shocked to see that it’s nearly ten in the morning. “I completely lost track of time. Sorry.” I set my gloves aside and retrieve my phone and water bottle from the shelf near the tack room.

“No worries. Want us to wait for you?”

“Nah, that’s all right. I’ll get cleaned up and sneak in the back.”

“Sounds good. See you there.”

“Hier,Bravo,” I call out. Bravo jumps up and follows me into the UTV. As we make the drive up to my house, my attention is stolen from the road momentarily as Sammy crests the hill on the back of Midnight. She sits high on the horse’s back, a baseball cap pulled low over her face.

She sits like she was made for the saddle, and seeing it only cements the budding feelings I’m carting around for her. I just wish I knew how long she planned to stay so I’d know exactly what I’m getting myself into.

Eventual heartbreak? Or something more permanent?

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