Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
For them at least. My earlier melancholy followed us into the courtroom, hovering over me as I took a seat on a long bench with Faith and the girls. Fittingly, Colt and Maverick stood alone in front of the judge. They hadn’t wanted to pressure the girls into standing with them, but their choice to keep things simple was rather fitting, a symbol of them taking on the world together.
The judge was a stately woman with a long history of working with Colt on county business, and she said all the right things during the short but meaningful ceremony. I very consciously didn’t glance around to see if Grayson had made it to the ceremony. However, he was certainly on my mind as Colt and Maverick took their vows. How ironic that I’d met the man of my deepest dreams, yet couldn’t tell a soul, let alone hope for a moment like this.
After the ceremony, I shoved my jealousy and longing back down where they belonged and pasted on a wide smile as I greeted the happy couple.
“That was beautiful.”
“We did it.” Maverick’s expression was a mix of relief and awe.
“You did.” I slapped him on the back. “Now to party.”
The reception was out at the fairgrounds in one of the buildings available for event rentals. The Spartan space had been transformed by twinkling lights and glittery decorations, in keeping with the New Year’s Eve theme. I busied myself helping Colt’s relatives set out tables full of food and desserts. The familiarity of the host role was comforting, and I’d almost relaxed into a decent mood when I spied Grayson lurking against the back wall. The smarter thing would be to avoid him entirely, but I couldn’t resist marching over.
“I see you made it.”
“I did.” He kept his gaze on the tables full of happy guests and didn’t even turn in my direction.
“You clean up well.” Another super obvious statement, but it was true. He wore a dove-gray western dress shirt with pearl snap buttons and jeans so crisp they had to be new, along with shiny black cowboy boots. “Did you get some food?”
“Yep.”
“Good.” I was rapidly losing my ability to make small talk with him, and the frustration of needing to act like near strangers leeched into my voice.
“You’re mad at me.” He made it a statement, not a question.
“Not mad.” The lie was far easier than the truth.
“Adler.” Not surprising that Grayson saw right through me as always.
“Irritated maybe,” I allowed. “I can understand your reasons for not wanting any sort of public friendship, but I don’t have to like them.”
“Fair.” He shrugged, easy as if we were discussing the weather.
“I’m not always going to be a hand.” My voice was more pointed than a cocktail skewer. Maybe I was more than frustrated. I wanted him to look at me, really look and see all the potential we had. Reluctant as I was to move on from bunkhouse life, perhaps that was the only solution. “Maverick wants to meet soon to discuss next steps in the dude ranch plan. He’ll need more of my time on that project.”
“Appreciate the heads-up.” Grayson’s tone was maddeningly even, impossible to read. “It’s slow season, so likely we can cover your work, but I need to talk to Maverick about adding a few hands for spring and summer.”
Okay, now I truly was mad. “You missed the point entirely.”
“I heard you.” His expression was blank in keeping with his bland tone.
“And it makes no difference to you?” I kept my voice low to maintain the privacy of our conversation, but my hurt shone through the whisper.
“Still your supervisor tonight.” Grayson’s gaze had shifted to the dancefloor, where Colt was dancing with Faith. “Still hate gossip.”
“Well, I hate this.” I stamped my heel for emphasis, dangerously close to kicking him instead.
“There’s that anger,” he said mildly as he finally looked my way. His eyes were dark with sorrow and the lines around his mouth were deep canyons of regret. “And I’m sorry.”
“Not sorry enough.” I was in a petty mood, wanting him to hurt as much as I did. No way could I let him see my pain. Needing to get away, I brushed by him. “I better check the food table.”
“Adler…” He trailed off, apparently thinking better of whatever he’d been about to say. “Fine. I might as well get on home to the dogs anyhow.”
His voice was cryptic, but the message in his eyes was clear. He’d leave a light on for me. He wouldn’t dance with me, wouldn’t even spare me a friendly greeting, but he wouldn’t turn me away if I knocked on his door tonight. And I probably would. I wasn’t strong enough to stay away, but the inevitable sex wouldn’t be enough to stop the longing deep in my chest.