Page 15 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
My mind scrambles as I try to think of the best excuse because I can’t tell her the truth. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
Ah, that should do it.
Technically I’m not lying—I am outside where there is fresh air—but I don’t dare tell her that I was getting it outside Zane’s cabin. She already warned me to stay away from him upon his request, but I just had to be stubborn. Now I’ve gotten the rejection and warning directly from him. Question is, will I actually listen and keep my distance?
“Are you okay?” she insists.
“Yes, I was just taking everything in. It’s been so long since I enjoyed such fresh air,” I assure her.
This time I’m not lying. My music career takes me all over the world, but it’s usually to major, highly populated cities, so this is a welcome change and my lungs are thanking me for it.
“I’m glad, but you can have more of that fresh air later. Right now it’s dinner time—everyone is already here.”
“And by everyone you mean?”
“Well, not everyone. Zane won’t join us—he never does. You know Ryder doesn’t live here anymore, and Beck will be away for a while, so tonight it’s just Dad, Jace, Daisy, and me. Your own personal welcome wagon,” she explains cheerfully.
“That’s not so bad,” I relent.
“Great, let’s go. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone again. They’ll be so happy, especially Daisy. She is...” Ella rambles on, but my thoughts are still stuck on Zane—that is, until her words hit.
I stop in my tracks, and so does she since we’re holding hands. “What?” she questions.
“Did you tell anyone the real reason why I’m here?” I whisper, not that there’s anyone around us to hear me.
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Don’t tell them,” I request.
“Why?”
“Just trust me. Don’t,” I assert.
Her gaze softens. “Okay, I won’t. You have my word.”
“Thank you,” I smile at her.
“Of course.”
I don’t want to burden the Morgans with my issues, especially when they’re already kind enough to offer me sanctuary. All they need to know is that I’m here for vacation for the next three months—the rest is up to me to deal with.
Ella guides me to the back door through the kitchen since we’re closest to it compared to the front door. The interior of the house is exquisite, looks recently renovated since the colors are different from what I remember. There are ramps in and out of each room and a lot more art on the walls, which screams Ella and her interior design skills.
There are voices coming from the formal dining room, and they all halt when we walk in.
“Hey, family, look who’s here?” Ella announces, even though their attention is already on me.
My eyes first land on Daisy. Last I saw her, she was still in diapers, so to see her walking, talking, and just being her own individual hits me hard as it shows how much time has passed.
“Daisy, don’t be shy. Come say hello,” Ella invites.
She shakes her head and hides behind her father, who is in a... wheelchair? Jace uses a wheelchair now? Since when? I turn to Ella questioningly.
“Oh, that? He decided that he was too bougie for walking and needed assistance,” she grins.
Jace glares at her and flips her off. I’m sure there’s more to the story, but if they can joke about it, then it’s not so bad, right?
Jace then turns to me with a friendly smile. “Don’t mind her. It’s nice to see you again, Ava.”
