Page 20 of Rancher's Heart

“What?”

“That man, I remember where I’ve seen him.”

“Care to share?”

“Troy’s shows, and competitions. I don’t know if he’s a stock contractor or a horse buyer, but he’s for sure in the horse world.” She leaned over the saddle and ran her hand along Persephone’s neck. We’d been riding hard, and the horses needed water.

“Follow me,” I said as I headed for the trees. Elle followed, and we rode in silence until we reached the stream that floweddown from the snow-capped mountains. The horses knew what to do, and we each got off their backs and let them enjoy their break.

Sitting, I leaned up against one of the trees, and Elle took a seat to my left. “Do you know Desmond Tucker?” I asked, suddenly a little more aware that maybe I’d let the wolf in my front door.

“No, I’ve never heard of him. Who is he?” The small furrow between her brows, and the fact that she hadn’t shifted her gaze or started fidgeting beside me. She was either the world’s best liar, or she really didn’t know who he was. My intuition was rarely wrong, but I’d never been so attracted to someone before.

“A businessman from Kentucky. He buys fledgling horse farms and rolls them into his portfolio of racehorse breeding, high dollar horses for show jumping, and cutting horses.”

“You think I’m involved with him because of Troy.” Her words were a statement, and I turned in time to see her nodding her head. “I’m just me, Griff. There’s nothing for me to hide from you. I wouldn’t break the trust we’re building.” She bumped my shoulder with hers, and I looked over at her and nodded.

“We should get back.” I stood and held my hand out for her to take. Pulling her up, she stumbled and crashed against my chest. Her palm flattened out over my heart, and the warmth spread through me like an inferno.

CHAPTER 13

ELLE

“Are you sure they won’t mind me showing up?” I asked as I got in Griff’s truck. “It sounds like it’s kind of a family night. I really don’t mind staying here.”

“Stop, it’s fine. Nobody will care that you’re there.” He closed the door and walked around to his side. “That’s not true. They’re going to care, but only because they’ll all be nosy wanting to know what’s going on.” He shook his head.

We should have made a plan or at least talked about the story of how we came to be living together, well, living in the same house. It took way less time than I thought to get to Nash and Fallon’s place.

“They’re all looking at us,” I whispered as I got out of the truck.

“Of course they are, you’re beautiful.”

“Shut up,” I grumbled, and he laughed as he took my hand.

“Hope you don’t mind one more,” Griff said as we walked up the stairs and took seats. “Everyone, this is Elle Greggory.” Griff went around the circle and introduced everyone. I’d seen almost everyone around town over the time I’d been here, but I’d never actually met anyone.

“Wait, are you Chanelle Greggory?” Fallon asked, and I flinched slightly when I heard my full name. I never introduced myself that way, and anyone who knew had to know from years ago. I hated that my mother named me Chanelle, so I dropped most of the name and went by Elle.

“Yeah, that’s me.” I nodded hoping this entire line of questioning would drop.

“You two know one another?” Griff asked, reaching for a beer from the cooler Ryder set in the middle of the circle.

“Elle’s only the best equine massage therapist in the state,” Fallon said as she leaned back against Nash, who’d set his guitar aside, and he wrapped his arm around her. “She worked on my horse a few times before I quit rodeoing.”

“She’s not a bad people's masseuse either,” Griff said as he leaned back and put his arm around the back of my chair.

“Wait, I remember you,” Linc said, pulling Kristin into his lap. “You’re the nurse that looked after Griff when he broke his shoulder.”

“One and the same,” I said, smiling as I looked over at Griff, who was now biting the corner of his lip. I think he wanted the subject to change more than I did.

“So, what’s the story?” Fallon asked, pulling Nash’s beer from his hand, before taking another drink.

“No story. Just met Elle outside of the hospital setting a few weeks ago when she brought the runaway horses back.” Griff looked at me as he slipped his finger under my bra strap. My cheeks instantly grew warm, and I looked at the cooler in front of us. I wanted to curl up into a ball and forget tonight was even happening. What made it worse was I was actually wearing the bra he’d bought me.

“So, where are you living, Elle?” Kristin asked as she cuddled into Linc.

“Well, as of yesterday, I’m living with Griff.” I smiled slightly and looked down at my hands. We should have come up with a story, I wasn’t prepared to be grilled by people I just met. Nora, Kristin, and Fallon exchanged quick glances and smiled.

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