Page 23 of Trussed In Hope
I patted his slick neck, grinning despite myself. “You ride like hell’s at your heels,” I mumbled. “But you’re steady. Strong.”
He flicked an ear back at me.
“Guess that makes youDiesel,” I decided, the name settling into my bones like it had always belonged.
I swung down, loosened the girth, and led Diesel back toward the barn. With his lead rope slack in my hand, the smell of sweat and leather rolling off him. He’d given me a hell of a first ride, and I couldn’t help but feel lighter for it.
Boot steps crunched on the gravel ahead, and I looked up to see Elijah making his way down the slope from the house. He had a steady, unhurried stride of a man who’d walked this land long enough for it to become part of him. His hat was shoved back on his head, and I could see the knowing grin already tugging at his mouth.
“Well,” he drawled, eyeing Diesel like he’d known all along I’d be hooked. “Looks like you found yourself a friend.”
“Yeah,” I said, patting the bay’s neck. “Strong, smart. Got some spirit in him, but he listens.”
Elijah tipped his chin at the rest of the pastures. “What do you think of the stock? Be honest. I bought ‘em quick when thatold farmer had to sell out, didn’t have the time to inventory. Figured you’d tell me if I made a mess of things.”
I snorted. “You didn’t do half bad. Cattle are in good shape. Goats too, though I’ll need to check hooves in a few weeks. Horses are solid—especially this one here. Could use a salt block for the cows, and I’ll want to go over the worming schedule to make sure nothing slips.”
Elijah nodded, expression softening with relief. “That’s good to hear. I kept wondering if I’d just bought myself a field full of headaches.”
“You did,” I shot back, grinning. “But they’re the headaches worth having.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Always were better at this kind of thing than the rest of us. I’ll leave the planning to you. Foreman’s gone another couple days, and until then, this place is yours to steer.”
I looked around at the barns, the pastures stretching out under the morning sun. My chest tightened—not in a bad way, but in that heavy, weight-settling way that reminded me of responsibility. “All right,” I said finally. “I’ll draw up a plan. Keep things running until he gets back.”
Elijah’s gaze slid from the horse back to me, steady but thoughtful. “You know, Hardison… seeing you out here, it feels right. Maybe this is where you were meant to land.”
I didn’t answer right away. Just rubbed Diesel’s neck, feeling the horse’s steady breath under my hand.MaybeI thought. Maybe this was a place I could breathe again.
Elijah leaned a shoulder against the barn door, watching me fuss with Diesel’s halter. “Speaking of things feeling right,” he said, voice low but pointed, “how are things going with Emberlynn?”
I shot him a look. “Is it that obvious?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Do cows shit bricks?”
I let out a dry laugh.
Before he could reply, the sound of boots crunching over the dirt pulled both our attention. I turned to see Emberlynn walking toward us, her hair catching the sun, a hesitant smile tugging at her mouth.
“There you are,” she said, slightly breathless, like she’d hurried. “I figured I’d find you with the animals.”
For a moment, the air shifted. Her eyes went straight to Diesel, then flicked back to me, curiosity written all over her face. She looked a little out of place in her city jacket, but not in a bad way. More like someone trying to step into a world she didn’t know yet—but wanted to.
Elijah’s grin widened as he tipped his hat to her. “Well now. I guess we talked you up.”
Her cheeks flushed pink, but she smiled. “How so? Was Hardison out here telling you how much he likes me?”
“Guilty,” he said, amusement clear in his voice. Then he glanced at me, eyes glinting with mischief. “Guess I’ll leave you two to it. This place runs better when I stay out of the way, anyway.”
And with that, he ambled off, leaving me standing there with a horse at my side and a woman who was supposed to be my perfect match watching me with sure eyes and waiting lips. I leaned over and kissed her sweetness, and she returned it while wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I missed you.” Emberlynn whispered against my lips. “When I heard you putting on your boots this morning, I knew exactly where you’d end up.”
Her words tugged something loose in my chest. I brushed a bit of hay from her cheek, thumb lingering a second too long. “A few days in and you’re already reading me that well, huh?”
She smiled, softly but certain. “Some men are puzzles. You’re more like a map—you leave tracks.”
That earned a low chuckle from me. “Tracks, huh? Most people just call it predictable.”
