Page 102 of The Runaway and the Rugged
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EMELIA
The past couple weeks had been amazing. From officially moving in all my things—which wasn’t very much—into Garth’s house, still helping around the ranch, and working weekends at The Lonely Barrel, things seemed to be falling into place for me. I even started to help Greta with scheduling trail rides and booking some of the cabins. Our relationship grew stronger the more time we spent together, even if Garth was starting to get annoyed with how often she was coming around now, slowly stealing away some of the time that Garth spent with me.
Apparently, he never learned to share when he was younger.
Then there was Grace, the girl who had stolen my heart long before her father had. She loved spending her evenings talking about everything and anything. She merely just enjoyed having someone to listen to her. Of course she had Garth who could listen just as well as I could, but it was evident she yearned for a woman, someone who would understand her.
A mother figure.
And without crossing any lines, I tried to be just that for her even if I had no idea what I was doing. I let her lead andwhenever something felt right, I just went with it. No matter how unequipped or unsure I was, my instincts never failed me.
And I doubted Grace would let me get away unscathed if I ever were to screw up. She was a force to be reckoned with and it wasn’t hard to see that she was all the Calhoun siblings blended into one.
“It’s okay, Winnie, I got it.” I smiled, lifting the bowl of mixed fruit from the table with a smile too big for anyone not to notice.
I was unbelievably happy.
Almost too happy that I felt like at any moment it would all come crashing down. But I swept my worries aside the best I could and carried on.
“You sure? You already carried damn near everything outside already.” She frowned, but all I could do was shrug.
I didn’t mind helping. Matter-of-fact, I preferred it rather than standing in one spot, not knowing what to do.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I nodded. “Besides, I’ll let Garth do the hard work of bringing everything in.”
Although he wasn’t here yet to defend himself, I knew without a doubt he’d do just about anything I asked him. If I told him to wash all the dishes with one hand he’d do it. Not because he was whipped, but because he knew the fierce award that awaited him for listening.
“And he’ll do it too, no questions asked.” She chuckled as the sound dwindled into a sigh. “Been a long time since I’ve seen him this happy.”
My heart stuttered, and not because I hadn’t noticed the change in him but because it was coming from his mom. The one who raised him and knew him best.
“You make him happy, Emelia. You made my boy smile again and restored his faith that goodness still does exist in people, and for that I’ll always be thankful for you.”
It was the best, most meaningful compliment I’d ever received in my life. The impact set off a flood of tears that cascaded down the apples of my cheeks.
I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted to.
“And he makes me happy, more than you’ll ever know. You raised an incredible man.”
It was clear she was fighting herself from crying but with the subtle swipe of her sleeve across her eyes, I knew she had cracked.
“He’s had his struggles, much like we all have, but it was time for him to let go and finally be happy. And I don’t think he could have picked a better woman.”
Walking outside, the picnic table was covered with bowls, plates, drink glasses, you name it. Anything you could have imagined was sitting on the table, waiting to be eaten. I suggested having a family dinner night, a special evening where we could all get together and I could express my gratitude for welcoming me into their family. Garth of course had told me there was no need, that they already knew how thankful I was, but I still felt like I needed to do something.
Garth had a late trail ride to guide, while Greta and Griffin were helping with chores. I was expecting all of them to show up within the next fifteen minutes or so, if they still remembered the plans, when suddenly the sharp screeching of tires pierced the sky, leaving me to wonder who it could be.
Garth? Maybe Griffin?
Tucked back behind the house, away from the road, I couldn’t see who it was. Shaking off the strange feeling lingering within me, I went back to setting the table, making itpresentable. My eyes every now and then scanned over in the direction of where Grace was, swinging in an old tire swing that hung from a large tree just off in the distance.
Everything was serene, things were still, but the atmosphere shifted the moment I heard my name.
“Emelia!” a familiar, angered voice shouted, and my body froze in place. I didn’t know if I was hearing correctly, or if I was simply dreaming, but when the eerily, well-known voice called out my name once more, I realized that my worst nightmare was unfolding right before my eyes.
Panic ensued, and instincts had kicked in. I ran toward Grace with an urgency that made her look at me like I was out of my mind, but then my name was thundered out again and this time, Grace had heard it too.
