Page 78 of Heart & Hope

“Oh yeah, I thought about that.”

“You did?”

“R & R Ranch. Fits the purpose and the founders.”

Heat rises through my neck and face as he turns back to me. If he’s talking about me?—

“Rawlins & Rawlins,” he says with a smile that doesn’t meet his eyes.

My mouth opens, and I huff a breath before biting my lip. For a second, I thought R & R stood for Reed and Ruby. Butthat’s not it... and the pang of that stifling thought sends my gut into knots. Reminding me I’m a passerby. Transient help. No matter how much going back to the city feels like something that shouldn’t be an option anymore.

“I love it. It’s like you said, fits the purpose. Very on-brand.”

But even I can hear the disappointment in every syllable. Reed doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he walks the perimeter of the plateau, looking around and muttering to himself. He’s good at this. Taking care of people. Thinking of all the details. This life is going to suit him. Much better than the one Harry had pegged for him.

Mira nickers and nudges my shoulder with her muzzle. I turn back and rub her cheek, dropping my forehead to her long face. “You have no idea how lucky you are, sweet girl.”

As if on cue, Magnet sighs, shifting to rest one back foot, a hoof tipped up. Like an old married couple. I snort a laugh into Mira’s soft fur and close my eyes. Letting myself imagine, for a handful of seconds, staying here with Reed. Making these rides a regular thing. Building my life here.

“You two need a room?”

Shit.

I snap my head from Mira’s face and meet the green eyes lit up with cheek that are homed in on me. “I think Mira’s already taken.” I nod to Magnet.

“Oh, these two? Just good friends.” Reed winks.

“With benefits?”

“No, that’s you and me, Rubes.” Laughing, he gathers the reins and swings up into the saddle. Magnet is on right away. Ears forward and all four hooves back square on the ground. I am up in the saddle a heartbeat later. This will make an incredible camping spot.

And for the first time in my life, I am envious of people I’ve never met.

I stare at my phone in disbelief. I have no idea how this woman got my number. But the photo of Reed and her and her friend in Great Falls is anything but innocent. And she’s Mary-Sue’s fucking waitress. More importantly, this is evidence to my lies.

Fear snakes through my body and sinks like a stone in my gut.

“Rubes? Where you at?” Reed’s voice calls up the stairs. I can’t get my grip around the phone to loosen. The only thing I can do is force air into my lungs, one shallow, useless breath at a time.

“Baby?”

He’s standing in the doorway. Crossing the floor, he’s on his knees in front of me, his eyes level with mine. “Rubes? What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong?

Right now, I can’t decide if I’m upset about losing the inn’s account or about the two women sitting on Reed’s lap in this sordid, questionable photo. With nothing to say, I turn the phone around. His eyes drop to it straight away. His face falls.

“Beautiful, that was ages ago. Before I met you.”

I know that.

“That’s not the problem.” I point to Starr, Mary-Sue’s waitress. “Sheis the problem.”

It takes him a moment, but his mouth gapes when he realizes who she is.

“Ah, fuck. I’m sorry, Rubes. I don’t even remember them taking a photo. Someone else must have.”

“I haven’t replied yet. I’m not accustomed to being blackmailed. And I’m guessing that if I don’t pay up, she is going to talk to Mary-Sue.”

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