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“That’s for me.” she says, as she walks away, winking at me warmly.

Grayson walks in the door, while we’re all inside, eating lunch. Laura’s over at Lisa’s, helping her with some work thing. The look on Grayson’s face says that he’s up to something. “Whatcha got there, bro?” Kurt asks, and then he takes a bite out of his sandwich.

He’s got his phone in his hand, looking at it, smiling. “My Laura, dang it if she ain’t the hardest woman to buy for, and I found something perfect for her for Christmas.”

Kurt rolls his eyes and speaks with a scoff. “You trying to get me in trouble, man? Christmas is still weeks away, and I haven’t got a clue what to get Lisa this year.”

“Sorry, man.” Grayson chuckles.

I walk over to Grayson, looking at his phone. “That what it looks like?”

“It’s exactly what it looks like.” He nods, impressed.

On his screen is a picture of a baby dwarf pony. “I’m gonna get her two of them. Brother and sister. She’ll love them. They’re just born now, but the owner says that they’ll be ready just in time for Christmas.”

“What are we talking about here?” Kurt asks, irritated.

“Ponies. Little ones.” Grayson explains. “Laura’s always talking about getting more animals in the stable here. Kids’ll love ‘em when they come around for horse riding lessons. It’ll help make the little ones less anxious around the bigger horses.”

“I think that’s a great idea, Grayson.” I say. “She’ll love it.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Great.” Kurt mutters. “How am I going to top that?”

Grayson gives him a look. “Since when is it a competition?”

“Oh, believe me, it is.” I agree. “My brother-in-law, Ron, and I, one of us was always in shit for upstaging the other.”

Kurt looks at Grayson. “He’s right, you know. Last year, you got Laura that portrait of Grant? I still haven’t heard the last of that one.”

“So, get Lisa a portrait of Quentin.” Grayson shrugs.

“Dude, pay attention.” Kurt informs. “I got her that for her birthday.”

Another shrug. “I don’t see the problem.”

“Kurt,” I say. “Take Lisa on a trip. A cruise. Something romantic. I did that for Becky one year for Christmas, and man, I’m telling you, she didn’t complain about any of the gifts I got her for a whole year.”

“Man, we don’t have that kind of time.” Kurt whines. “And what about Quentin? Laura can’t watch him for that long.”

Grayson looks over at his brother. “Dude, if y’all really want to whisk her away, we can worry about the kid.”

Kurt, mulling it over, bobs his head. “Fair enough, man.”

Blane, who is sitting next to Kurt, points at Farley, one of the other ranch hands. “Alright, next order of business. Who wants to talk about the hickey in this room?”

My eyes widen. God, I’ll fucking die if anyone knows, and I’ll die more if Becky finds out I squealed. And in this case, I’ll have no choice but to tell the truth, because, what am I going to do? Lie? Then word will go around town that I had some tryst with a harlet or something. All eyes are on Blane, but he’s not giving anything away.

“Who’s got a hickey, partner?” Kurt asks, looking at Blane. Instead of tucking my hand under my neck like I’m about to do instinctively, I catch myself, and make it look like I’m trying to inspect Blane. Kurt does the same, and then he looks at Farley, and just as my heart starts to beat a bit faster, my phone rings, saving me from further humiliation.

…and I leave the room before anyone sees it.

Chapter 4

Becky - A Week Ago

FeverishlymakingsurethatI look presentable, I get myself ready to meet up with my potential new clients. They’re filthy rich from what I hear, and both crunched for time, so that’s where I come in. Sara calls me, right when I’m heading out the door. “Not a good time. What’s up?” I ask, out of breath.

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