Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“Should I add roping to your list of talents, Sir?” I teased him as he entered.
“Nah. I think Cedar was tired out after his jaunt. He walked to me.” Callum gave me an infuriating smirk.
“Oh, yeah? Cedar? He just walked to you.” I shook my head smiling.
“He did. Such a good horse,” he replied, chuckling. “Maybe he needed the morning off. Stretch his legs.”
“You’ve got jokes, Daddy.”
“Always, spitfire.”
“What’s the damage to the barn?”
“I’m happy to report it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Contractors provided an estimate and repairs will be underway by early tomorrow morning. We should have everything fixed within a few days. Luckily the structure is solid overall. We’ve moved the remaining horses out. Easy-peasy.”
“With you at the helm it sure feels like it. Thank you for taking care of it.”
“You don’t have to thank me, beautiful. These are the sort of things that I’ve been working on. I just didn’t know that there was hidden damage there. There’s a plan to do a more detailed inspection of the other barns. Nothing for you to worry about. I’ve got it.”
“If you’re doing all the heavy lifting, what do you need me for?”
“Watch your mouth, spitfire. There was entirely too much sass in your question. We’re running things together. Not apart.”
Cedar nickered and Glimmer responded. I didn’t know if horses could be friends but she sure seemed to be telling him that he was silly for running off. The thought brought an even bigger smile to my face. What had started out as a disastrous morning faded into a minor inconvenience. Callum fed Cedar while I looked on.
“Right. I know. Sometimes my brat falls back into old patterns.”
“I’ll do my best to interrupt that loop,” he said.
I knew he meant it. “So, Daddy….” I brought up the aforementioned plans. “You mentioned that we’re doing something this afternoon. Is that still on or do we have to change it?”
“Things wrapped up nice and early, so we’re set. Go take a quick shower. I’d love to see you wear that pretty blue dress with the flowers on it.”
He finished with Cedar and strutted to me. I licked my lips as he reached for me and took my hands in his. “Fancy plans!” I giggled. “Are you taking me somewhere?”
“Mmmhmm. Not ballgown-fancy, but away from work.”
“Sounds lovely.”
He hugged me close to him, rubbing my back as he spoke. “I hope so. I’m really proud of you for listening. Things could have gone off the rails this morning, but having you trust me meant the world, baby.”
“A few weeks ago I would have probably headed straight for that barn, if I’m being honest. I didn’t trust you the way I do now.”
I glanced over at the horses who seemed to be listening to us. Like they had also been plotting and hoping that I’d drop my overworking tendencies and lean on someone else.
They were happy and cared for. We were their chosen people.
“I know you didn’t, Quinn. I’ll keep showing up. Keep proving that I’m here for the right reasons. Go on. I have one more thing to do and then I’ll meet you inside.”
“Yes, Daddy. Thank you.” I squeezed his hand before saying goodbye to our horses and heading to the house.
Chapter Six
Callum
Driving out to the cemetery, I wondered if Quinn caught on to the plan before I’d shared it. She looked breathtakingly beautiful in her cornflower-blue dress, dotted with white flowers. Her hair was loose down her back, wavy and free. She had the window rolled down, singing along with some country song on the radio about the Georgia rain. Her voice was sweet, melodic even without knowing all the lyrics.
I hopped out of my truck and walked around to her side, opening the door and holding out my hands. Quinn braced herself and got down.
“Oh, Callum.” She didn’t have to say anything else but I wondered what she was thinking.
“I wish we weren’t visiting them here,” I said quietly. “But I think they’d be happy that we’re together.”
“It’s such a lovely afternoon. I wish we weren’t at the cemetery either, but you’re right. They need to know.”
I chuckled, not telling her that I’d been visiting a few times a week. Nana’s plan had gone off without a hitch. Well, mostly. Drawing me back to Brighton Creek, even under sad circumstances led me to Quinn, to her side. A place I should have already been years ago.
Nana was finally with Tuts. The love of her life, her rock even when he wasn’t always the steadiest man. She’d loved him fiercely and he’d promised he’d lasso her the moon if she wanted it. Nana was more practical than emotional, but they lived a life full of love. One that I only hoped to emulate with my girl.
I led her to the spot where Tuts was buried, and now Nana. The stone was finished. Geraldine Rosalee Parrish was beautifully engraved below her husband’s name. Quinn dropped to her knees in the dirt, tracing the letters.