Page 17 of Heart & Hope

Nowthatcould be a very dangerous thought...

I chuckle at my lame joke and urge Magnet into a flat-out gallop. Something about the chance of not seeing her before she heads back to town has my gut in knots. The gelding obliges, ears flat back as we sail over the dirt road that winds through the laneway.

When we reach the paddock before the barn, I slow him to a trot. Something Huddo taught me a long time ago—the last leg home should always be controlled. Bolting horses is not something you want to build into your riding repertoire.

The dirt-covered Mercedes is still there. I all but fly out of the saddle and lead the gelding to the wash down bay, before making quick work of his rinse off and returning the tack to the barn.As I let Magnet loose in his paddock, Ruby walks from the front door with Ma.

I jog over, halter still in hand. “All done?”

Ruby takes me in from head to toe and smiles. “For the minute. There’s some more prep work, and we need to confirm some things before anyone gets to relax. Oh, and I need you to help me with something.”

“Thank you for coming all the way out again, Ruby,” Ma says, giving her a tight hug before walking back to the house.

Ruby’s gaze snags on my hat. “Stellar hat, Reedsy.”

I dip it before tugging it off and plopping it on her head. It falls forward as she lifts her chin, trying to peer out from underneath, her hands still tight around the handles of her tote. I lift it up for her as she huffs a soft laugh. “Think it’s a little big.”

“It looks good on you. You should come for a ride with me one day before you head back to the city. If you want, that is...” I run my hand across the back of my neck. I have no idea what her plans are, really. Or how long she is staying here for. “What did you need?”

“Oh. Was there anything you think your mom would like for her party that she wouldn’t have told me about?” she asks, handing the hat back.

I let it hang between my fingers.

“Fireworks.” I nod and pull the best serious face I can muster.

“Really, fireworks? She doesn’t seem like an explosive sky kind of gal.” Ruby is grinning at me now.

I laugh and shove the hat on my head. “Yeah, that one may have been my childhood dream ever since these birthday parties of Ma’s have been a thing. Which is my whole life, come to think of it.”

“Okay, well, if you think of anything, text me, okay?”

“Will do.”

She starts for her car. “Oh, and Reedsy. I’ll be back next week, maybe we could go for a ride then?”

The grin that stretches my face won’t quit. I will be counting down the seconds to that little bit of Ruby and Reed R & R.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Chapter Five

RUBY

Louisa is like the mother I never had. Except I have a mother—a shitty one. A thousand percent sure I’m going to hell for that thought. But I swear, this is the first time in my life that I have ever had companionship with an older woman that I enjoy. The first time I have wanted to share my thoughts and life with a family member. Period.

Not counting Addy, that is.

Reed appears at my side. He smells divine. Not that I am letting myself take notice. He’s a first-class goof. And despite his constant presence when I’m here at the ranch, I like having him around, which has surprised me more than anything else.

It has been a long, long time since a guy has been able to claim that title: Non-Annoying Male Presence. It’s a start, I guess, to my new, more relaxed semi-vacation.

“Done already?” I glance at him.

He leans on the counter and glimpses the wine in my hands. His eyes wander from the bottles to my face and back. And I wonder what is going through that gorgeous head of his.

“Yup. What’s next, Captain?”

I chuckle and point to the stack of boxes bulging with strings of warm white fairy lights. “I want those gorgeous old trees all lit up, Reedsy.”

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