Page 45 of Broken Dreams
They run back to the barn, the two of us following again, Grady’s hand resting on the small of my back as we exit the coop area.
I fight back the shiver his touch causes and force myself to keep walking. “Do you think your family believes us?” I ask, wanting to remember that this is not a date. This is not the two of us spending time together as we’re embarking on this new and budding relationship.
This is an arrangement.
His hand drops. “I do. Like I said, we’re friends and it’s not hard to sell that I like you. You’re funny, beautiful, and smart. There’s no reason any guy wouldn’t like you.”
“Ah, you say that, but we remember why I entered into this agreement.”
He laughs. “That last one.”
“Was a doozy, I know.”
“Although the first guy had potential.”
He gives me a hip check and I shake my head. “Not a chance. I can’t even imagine bringing Phil back to Rose Canyon. My friends would eat him alive.”
“And you’re not worried about me with them?”
“Worried? Kind of. However, if you can handle your brothers and Brynn, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Plus, you’ll have me to protect you,” I say with a laugh.
“Oh, well, in that case, I’m definitely not worried now. You’re terrifying.”
“Clearly.”
I love that we are this way. We can be friends under this whole thing. He makes me laugh and I want to be around him. Also, there’s no pressure. I know that he doesn’t want a relationship and it gives me some time to get through the wedding and then focus on finding someone I want to build something with.
We stop in front of the fence where a large horse is kept. “This is Brutus,” he tells me. “Brutus, this is Addison.”
“Wow, he’s beautiful,” I note as he walks toward us. “Nice to meet you, Brutus.”
Brutus walks over, his head held high, and then he touches the palm of Grady’s hand. “When I first got here, he wouldn’t come near me. I spent a week just sitting on the top of this fence for hours as he pretended I wasn’t here.”
“Seems he likes you now.”
“He does. He likes Jett too. I make Jett come daily with me. Brutus will tolerate Rowan. He absolutely hates Asher, but Asher’s got issues with animals.” He laughs.
“What about your sister?”
“Brynn, forget it, she’s the living version of Snow White. No animal can resist her.”
“Why is that?”
“She has a pure heart. At least that’s what they say about animals. They can sense your character.”
Brutus turns his head to me, nodding, and then nudges my arm that’s resting on the top of the fence.
Grady smiles. “He likes you too.”
“Does that mean I’m pure of heart?”
“Or you smell like apples.”
I playfully slap his chest. “Ass.”
Elodie comes up behind us. “Tan I see da horsey?”
“Sure can. Come here.” Grady scoops her up, putting her feet on the railing as he stands behind her. “Now, put your hand out. Good.” He adjusts it so her palm is up. “Now let him come to you.”
