Page 23 of Rancher's Heart

“We try to get out once a month, but we usually end up at one of our houses weekly.” Nora shrugged. “And now we can add Griff’s place to the rotation.”

“Oh my god, you’re the woman he had to buy the bra for,” Fallon basically yelled as she slapped the table, and her grin made me laugh. People turned to see what all the commotion was about, and I could feel myself turning twelve shades of red.

“Guilty.” I nodded.

“But that was only like a week ago.” She leaned back in her chair and her. Dark eyes bore into me. Shit, I hadn’t plannedon him telling anyone about that. Music filtered through the bar and I needed to come up with something fast.

“Well, I was on my way home from the hospital after a shift. and his horses were loose,” I explained the story, and they all burst into ruckus laughter. Fallon explained how Griff had looked when he went flying into Nora’s house that day, desperate to figure out how to replace my bra.

“Up to that point, we’d been keeping things pretty casual. He kind of broke through the walls I had erected, keeping him out until the day he showed up with an electric blue, see-through lace bra.” I couldn’t help but start laughing along with the women. Their mouths dropped open, and I relaxed back into the chair.

“You know, I’m not surprised he picked out something amazing. Have you seen the way that man dresses? He always looks fantastic, even when he’s just working with his horses.” Kristin said as she leaned her elbow on the table, resting her head in the palm of her hand.

“Well, I’m glad to know he did good.” Nora reached for her glass of water, and I assumed she was driving tonight. The conversation turned from me, and I was more than happy to have a break in the inquisition.

Reaching for my purse, I grabbed the phone.

Me: So, we’re dating, and we’ve been seeing one another on and off for a year. Apparently, you keep secrets very well. And after the trouble at the Hays place, you decided it was time for us to live together.

I watched the phone as the chat bubbles popped up almost instantly. They were on the screen and off, then back and gone. This went on for a bit, and then his words popped up.

Griff: Well then, I guess if we’ve been together for a year, I can take you to bed tonight.

Me: No, Griff, that’s the story I told the girls. I just wanted you to know.

Griff: Thanks for the heads up, but can I still take you to bed tonight?

Me: GRIFFIN FOCUS.

Griff: Always focused on you, Puddin’

Me: Excuse me? Puddin’?

Griff: Puddin’, ‘cause I just want to eat you.

Me: No, not happening. How’s Parker?

Griff: He’s great. He and Cooper have decided they’re best friends.

Me: Thanks, Griff.

Griff: Now about that bed situation.

Me: Goodbye.

Tossing my phone back into my purse, I turned my full attention to the other women at the table. It felt good to laugh with women who seemed like they just wanted genuine friendship. I also realized that as long as I was helping Griff, I would be around these women, and I already liked them.

“I need to hear how you and Kipp got together.” I turned to Nora who giggled and turned very red, even in the poorly lit bar.

“You can have the short version tonight. I started working for Kipp, and well things happened, well a lot of things, but when I was nineteen, I had a one-night stand with a cowboy after a rodeo. A fake ID, too much alcohol, the back of a stock trailer, and I ended up pregnant.” She took another drink and shook her head.

Thinking back to last night, I could see they were meant to be together, the way he looked at her with absolute adoration, he hung on every word she said. And Nora was so incredibly comfortable at his side. Love radiated off her. I’d seen people I thought should be together, but Kipp and Nora were true soulmates. “You seem so perfect for one another.” Nora beamed, and if I’d had any questions about how in love with her husband she would have squashed them with that look.

“We’ll tell you the rest when we meet at your place next week,” Fallon said. “Mine’s way too complicated to get into when I’ve had this much to drink.” She looked at the empty bottles in front of her and laughed.

Our evening wound down, and I was almost sorry it was over. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as we all walked out of the bar together, laughing. Fallon threaded her arm through mine as I helped her walk to Nora’s vehicle.

“I’m glad you’re with Griff. I like you.” Fallon said as she tripped and fell into the open door of the SUV.

---