Page 14 of Announcing Love
“I haven’t asked because I didn’t want to pry, but we’re a couple, so… What exactly happened to your family?”
Artem didn’t look his way. He made loud kissing noises as he kissed the horse he had been babying for half an hour. “They all packed, leaving Sacha and me behind to care for Baba, and headed back home to help in the war. Our hometown is on the Ukrainian border and is still Russian occupied. When they got there, all our extended family was already gone. Then they were too.”
“I’m sorry.” Tip had known it would be traumatic and hated that he had asked. But Tip wanted all of Artem, and that meant even the ugly bits.
“Yeah. Me too. I mean, I get why they went, but then again, I don’t. Maybe it’s unfair to feel so bitter about it. I know they had family they wanted to help, but…” He shrugged again.
“But they had kids,” Tip finished for him.
Artem flashed him a sad smile. “Yeah.”
“Are you ready to head to the room so we can get cleaned up and find something to eat? Or do you want me to find out what it’ll take to get you on this horse?”
Artem’s sweet laughter had Tip smiling like they hadn’t been talking about death. “We should head to the room. It’s getting late and I’m starved.”
“I can’t have that.” He really couldn’t. Artem had a long night ahead of him.
After a few goodbyes, they were back on the road.
“Do you think you’ll buy the place?”
“I’m undecided.” He knew Artem wasn’t really interested. Artem merely made conversation, but Tip wasn’t used to having anyone to talk to like this. “It’s a beautiful piece of property and pretty much exactly what I want, but I’m not crazy about the people running the place. I don’t want to get so involved I’m stuck hiring new people. It’s important to me the place runs itself and the sellers feel pretty strongly about keeping everyone on after the sale. Not that they can do anything about it once I own the place. Still, I’m not the type to make promises I intend to break.”
“Everyone seemed nice enough.”
Tip hated disabusing Artem’s sweet nature and ability to see beauty in all things. “Yeah. They were pretty pissed off about you babying what I gather is a working horse of some kind. Apparently, that makes them lazy.”
Artem turned in his seat. “Are you fucking kidding me? She was so sweet. Goddamn it. I hate she got left with those people. How sad is that? Thinking that little bit of attention is all she’llever get. There’s no telling what they’ll do now that we’re gone to counterbalance the positive attention. They’ll make her think pets and kisses means punishment.”
He sounded so outraged and hurt. Artem had a beautiful soul. “Would it make you feel better if I buy her and have her sent to my place in New York?”
Artem didn’t answer.
Tip glanced his way.
Artem chewed his bottom lip, looking torn. “I can’t ask that of you. Everyone uses you and your money for everything. I don’t want to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered. You’re right about the punishment, I’m sure. I can call someone and have her out of there by tonight.”
“I’ll pay you back. Just let me know how much it is. If I have to make payments, I will. Damn. No doubt it costs a lot to keep a horse. Let me know how much that is too.”
Tip let him ramble. “Are you through?”
He practically felt Artem deflate. “Yes.”
Tip smiled at the defeat in Artem’s voice. It was adorable. “This is my decision. I don’t want to leave your horse there either. Onemore animal won’t hurt me.” And he’d have an excuse to lure Artem to New York next.
“My horse?”
Despite all his words and arguments, Tip heard the happiness in Artem’s voice. “Yes. Yours. Does she have a name?”
“Ginger.”
With his gaze locked on the road, Tip nodded. “I’ll let everyone know back home.”
“You’re a good person.”
Tip fought the urge to snort. He would let Artem think whatever he thought. “Get your phone out and find us a restaurant near the hotel.”
