Page 141 of Butter My Biscuit

Somehow, I meet Beckett’s eyes, and he points toward the opposite exit. And I know that means she left.

I check my pockets for my keys, then I remember I didn’t drive here like a dumb fuck. Beckett somehow convinced me to ride with him even though I always drive to events like this because something dramatic always happens. Notcancel a whole-ass weddingdramatic though. This is at the damn top. And now I don’t have a way out. Never again.

By some miracle, I make it through the horde and push open the double doors with both palms. Across the street, Charlie, one of the ranch hands, is watching the horse that Stephanie and I were to ride away on after the reception.

“Change of plans.” I jog over to him and start untying the slip knot that’s in the lead rope.

He stands, and looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind as I slide my foot into the stirrup, and pull myself into the Western saddle.

“Where are you goin’?” he asks as I move the reins and lead Tinkerbell onto the pavement.

“To find my woman,” I announce, clicking my mouth.

The rumors will write themselves. I don’t care anymore. The ones that involved me and her were true anyway.

Horseshoes clack, and I cut across the park that fills the town square, then break into a gallop across the grass. Tinkerbell loves to run, so I give her all the permission to open wide up, leaving dust in our wake. It’s as if she knows how desperate I am to find Grace right now.

The sun is setting over the horizon, and the cool March breeze blows against my cheeks. I’ll ride into the night if it means finding her because what I have to say can’t wait, not anymore.

I gently tug on the reins when I turn into Grace’s driveway. I hop out of the saddle, using the spare key she leaves under a plant, and walk into her house.

“Gracie?” I yell, walking down the hallway, pushing open her bedroom door at the end of the hall, and turning on the lights.

The place isempty. She’snothere.

I pull my phone from my pocket and call her. It goes straight to voice mail. And I try again. She turned it off so she could disappear.

“Fuck!” I run my fingers through my hair, needing to calm down.

But I know where she is. She’s at my house waiting for me. When we were younger and something dramatic would happen, she’d always meet me at my place. It was safe. She’s there now. I’d bet anything on it.

When I walk outside, Tinkerbell is standing where I left her, grazing on the small patch of grass in front of her house. Before I mount, Remi comes around the corner like a bat out of hell, and the Mustang swings into the driveway. The lights shine against the house as she steps out, leaving the door open.

“Want to take my pony?”

I move past her. “You’re the best sister ever! Timing isperfection.”

“I’m working on my good karma these days.”

I get in and have to immediately move the seat back. “Thank you. I owe you one.”

“Make it ten,” she says, grabbing the horn and mounting Tinkerbell in her dress. She’ll bring her back to the trailer.

“You fuckin’ got it.” I back out of the driveway, the engine of the car roaring to life as I gun it with the windows down and drive it like I stole it.

The sound of the deep engine bounces off the buildings as I fly through the downtown area. Then, I make a right and head down the country road that leads to the ranch with the mountains in the background. The car hugs every fast curve that I take, and when the tires hit gravel on my parents’ ranch, I spin out, but don’t stop. I rush to the ranch house on the property that I share with Colt.

Call me reckless, call it whatever you’d like, but that’s what she does to me. That woman has me in a choke hold, and she’s never going to let me go. I don’t want her to.

When I see Grace’s car in front of my house, I let out a sigh of relief. I know her. I know her better than she knows herself. I park, then climb the steps of the porch two at a time. I push open the door and walk down the hallway.

She’s standing in my bedroom, and I think I see a fucking smirk on her face right before I wrap one hand behind her head and pull her into a greedy kiss.

“You found me.” She moans, her hands in my hair, and she pulls me back onto the bed.

I fall on top of her, looking down into her golden-brown eyes. Flecks sparkling just for me.

“You’ve got goose bumps.” I kiss her shoulder, trailing my fingers down her sun-kissed skin, and glance at the locket around her neck that has a picture of us inside.

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