Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Squatting down next to Jacob, he tells him, “If we yell the word carrots really loud, the horses will come visit.” Jacob holds his arms up for Griffin to hold him. My heart is clenched from the trust he’s given. Griffin hands him the basket, then lifts him on top of his shoulders, securing him by holding his legs. Jacob accidentally bangs the basket against Griffin’s head. He winces but grins at me. “Okay, Champ, you ready?”
“Ready?”
Together, they yell, “Carrots,” several times. The depth of Griffin’s tone drowns out the pitch of Jacob’s voice, but they work as a team, and it’s adorable to see.
A black horse comes from a distance, galloping from behind a lighter, brown-colored horse. Both head in our direction. Griffin says, “The brown horse is named Sunrise.”
Jacob holds a carrot and calls, “Sunrise?”
Giving them space, I stand behind them next to his dad. Griffin says, “The other one is called Nightfall.” Sunrise makes it to the fence, where they step up.
I don’t have a lot of experience with horses despite the stable of ten at the Dover property, so I gnaw on the side of my cheek, a little anxious.
“He’s in good, capable hands,” Thomas says. “They won’t hurt him.”
The timbre of his voice is calming, and I find myself gravitating toward easily trusting him. “He is. Jacob’s taken right to him as well.”
“Does he like baseball?”
I laugh lightly, glancing at him. “It’s his favorite.”
“That works out well. How about you?”
“I manage operations for the Armadillos and the stadium.” I hate how I switched into business mode. I don’t have to sell anything, not even myself for Greene approval. I just need to tone it down and enjoy the day.
“By choice?”
“Not at first, but I wouldn’t trade it now. I’ve come to appreciate the sport more recently.”
“Is that how you and Griffin met? From that all-star fundraiser?”
Like his other son, I’m tripped up over how to answer this question. The honest response is not one I’m particularly looking to talk about.
“Hey, Dad?” Griffin nods for him to join them. “I was telling Jacob how you can neigh just like a horse.”
“Sure can.” As he neighs, messing around with them and causing my kid to lose it laughing, Griffin smiles at me.
He mouths, “You okay?”
“I’m okay,” I silently reply. Better than okay, actually. When I look at the large grassy pasture and the land ahead past the barn, it looks so much like our property, which isn’t a surprise, but the buildings and the vibe feel less manicured, less picture-perfect, and more lived-in. It makes me feel like I can be myself here. I’m not sure I can be when I’m with my family, only in my own home.
The rumble of an off-road utility vehicle draws my attention before I see it coming from a deeper part of the land. A woman with a wide-brimmed hat and a man with his own on his head sit inside the open-topped vehicle. A bobble of blond curls is barely seen in the back seat, and I don’t see the baby strapped to his chest until they park and get out.
I’m thinking this is his sister’s family. I remember her from her rodeo days and being awed that she was allowed to barrel race. I didn’t dare dream of being allowed to do something like that.
She’s tall, again, not surprising after meeting her brothers. The man is near Griffin’s height but not quite. A little terror of tousles waves her hands wildly in the air as she runs to Griffin. He kneels, and she asks, “Who’s that?”
“This is Jacob. Jacob, this is Daisy. She’s three like you.”
“I’m,” he says, holding up four fingers.
“Not quite, buddy,” I say, not letting him get away with even an exaggeration. No one likes liars. “Two weeks.”
His sister takes hold of the baby in her arms, and comes closer with a welcoming smile on her face. But suddenly gasps. “They’re twins.”
Oh no.
Everyone starts glancing between the two kids, and then his sister looks at me. “Are we sure these two aren’t related?” She laughs, as does her father and husband.
Griffin and I are in a standstill of panic over what to do, his eyes hitting mine. When we are at a loss for anything that would make sense other than the obvious truth, his dad says, “Best to air these things out before they stink up the house.”
The smiles fall from their faces as they look from Griffin to me twice before a young boy I didn’t notice joining in the fun, says, “What’d I miss?”
CHAPTER 30
Cricket
Griffin laughs, but there’s nothing real in it. I roll my eyes while shaking my head, but then that makes me laugh for some reason.
Turning to me, he starts to laugh for real. We’re two fools laughing like that, hoping it will throw them off the scent. Other than staring at us like we’ve lost our dang minds, his brother-in-law finally throws us a lifeline. “Hi, I’m Tagger Grange. This is my wife, Pri—Christine, Griffin’s sister.” He comes closer for a quick handshake.