Page 25 of Promise You Forever

“Even if he brought another woman around? It wouldn’t bother you?”

“He and I were never serious. It was a summer fling years ago. He can do what he wants.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. I would seriously consider jumping from the balcony if he brought a woman into my home. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone else. I’ll take that secret to my grave.

She tucks a strand of periwinkle hair behind her ear and gives me the kind of look that says she sees right through my bullshit. At least she’s kind enough not to call me out on it. Instead, she changes the subject to Sam’s plans to run for city council in the next election cycle. I’ll take a conversation about small town politics over my grumpy ranch manager any day.

I don’t know what possessed me to walk down to the stable after returning home instead of just going inside to check in with Patrick and figure out a date for me to start working remotely. Now I find myself assaulted by scents that bring back memories of a time I’ve tried so hard to block out. Several of the horses poke their heads out of the stalls to look at me, but I know exactly who I want to check on first.

Sky, a beautiful blue roan mare with eyelashes I’d kill for, looks over her shoulder at me as I open the door to her stall. Her eyes move up and down me in recognition before she turns awayand continues to eat from the bucket of feed. My hand runs up her flank as I coo at her calmly.

“Hey girl,” I say as I stand at her shoulder. “Do you remember me?”

She snorts, her ears flicking. I take that as an annoyed yes.

“Long time, no see, huh?” I straighten a few strands of her mane. “You look gorgeous, a little bigger than the last time I saw you.”

“That’s because she’s pregnant.” Colt’s voice comes from behind me, startling me a bit.

I turn, clutching my chest. “You scared me.”

“Sorry.” The impish grin on his face tells me otherwise. “How are you?”

“I’m okay.” I walk out of the stall and close it behind me. As soon as it’s secured, he wraps me in a tight, brotherly hug.

“I’ve wanted to check on you for a few days but wasn’t sure if I should intrude. I know you have so much going on I didn’t want to bother you.”

“It wouldn’t have been a bother. I would have welcomed a distraction to be honest.”

“Yeah.” He scratches his jaw and looks down toward the arena. “I’m glad you’re back, I think it’ll be good for you.” His eyes move back to mine. “We missed you around here. Are you going to stay long?”

“For the foreseeable future. Luckily, I can work remotely while I get everything figured out here.”

“I hear Paul is ready to go to Denver?”

My stomach turns at the thought. “That’s what he told me.”

“Are you ready for that?”

“I’ll never be ready for that.”

He gives me a sad smile. “Let me know if you need anything, okay? I’m always down for a beer or dinner after work.”

“I will. Have you seen Luke?”

“He was working on the snowmobiles in the barn earlier, getting them ready for the winter.”

“Thanks.” I pat his bicep as I pass by him. “I’ll see you around.”

The overcast sky above threatens rain, a gloomy contrast to the beautiful yellow Aspen and red maple leaves still clinging stubbornly to the trees around the ranch. I have to wrap my arms around myself to ward off the chill from the wind as I cross the gravel drive between the stable and barn. The door creaks as I open it, but music fills the air as metal clanks against metal.

I don’t see Luke near the snowmobiles but catch a glimpse of his legs sticking out from under one of the tractors. Several tools litter the ground beside his hips. He hasn’t noticed me yet, so I give myself a moment to really look at him, something I’ve tried to avoid since coming back.

His shirt has ridden up a bit, allowing a sliver of his abs to peek out. Each time he moves, his muscles ripple in a manner that’s familiar in the most bittersweet way. I know what the line of coarse, dark hair that begins near his belly button and moves down beneath his waistband leads to, and for a second, I miss it viscerally. The longing for his touch nearly buckles my knees, but I steel myself against it.

I don’t miss him.

I just miss the familiarity of his touch. The comfort that comes from human connection. I refuse to let myself fall again.

“How was Gramps today?” I ask.

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