Page 73 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy
She nodded. “I saw the mark on his wrist. Those of us mated with his brothers notice things like that. I guessed it was you the first time I saw him staring at you with longing. That made me look.”
“He didn’t tell me for a while, and I know why. He doesn’t want to push me.”
“That sounds like Sel.”
I pulled my sleeves down, suddenly shy. “He showed me the mark a few days ago. Said he’d wait. Said he didn’t want anything from me but to be near. I believe him.”
Gracie’s voice went soft. “Of course you do. Because it’s true.”
“I’ve never trusted a man this way before. That kind of damage lingers.”
Gracie reached across the table, wrapping her hand around mine.
“But Sel…” I looked up. “He arranged for Hail to spend time with Max, to make sure he felt safe and has someone to talk to. MaxlikesHail. He even asked if he could help him make pottery sometime. Hail plans to open a rodeo here soon, and Max is helping him organize that.”
“That’s huge.”
I nodded. “Sel doesn’t just care about me. HeseesMax, and that means everything.”
Gracie’s eyes shimmered. “It sounds like you’re thinking there could be more between you two than just friendship.”
“I think there could be. I’m scared, but I’m starting to hope again. I believe I might be ready to try.”
She gave my hand a squeeze. “Then do it. Let it be slow if you need it to be. Sel isn’t going anywhere. He’s as reliable as sunrise.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest.
“Trust takes time,” she said. “But you’re doing it. You’re choosing yourself. And now you’re choosing joy. That’s brave as hell.”
“I didn’t think I could ever be this close to someone again. But he’s different. And this town is a safe little world tucked away from everything that hurt.”
“That’s what it was for me too,” she said. She’d shared more about her parents, and I couldn’t imagine how horrible that must’ve been for her. But she was here now, happy with Tark.
“I thought about making a basket,” I said.
Gracie’s eyes lit up. “Youshould. I won’t push, but I think it’d mean something.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of public gesture.”
“You don’t have to put your name on it.”
I blinked. “Really?”
“Remember? Baskets can be anonymous. Makes it fun.”
“That’s clever.”
She winked. “I have my moments.”
We both laughed, and something inside me relaxed further.
Gracie stood and stretched. “It’s been amazing talking with you. I like you, Holly. I hope you stick around.”
I hoped I could too.
As I stood, she pulled me into a hug—tight, warm, no-nonsense.
“Welcome to the family, Holly,” she said by my ear.
