Page 5 of Rancher's Heart

“You finally figured it out. I was wondering when you’d realize it.” She crossed her arms over her chest, which only pushed them up more, and I’m pretty sure my mouth fell open based on the way her expression morphed into a scowl. Ripping my eyes from her chest, I looked at her and tried to smile, but it felt creepy. “Anyway, I’m glad I got them back where they belonged. I’m gonna head back to my truck now.” She turned and waved.

“Wait, I can drive you.” I closed the gate and latched the chain.

“Thanks, that sounds a whole lot better than walking.” She climbed in the truck, and I drove out of my yard.

“You’re new around here.” It wasn’t a question, but I’d hoped it would be enough to start some type of conversation.

“I’ve been here almost a year but moved on to my ranch officially four months ago. Before that, I was living in town.” She didn’t volunteer any more information. “How’s your shoulder?” She remembered me. I looked over at her and smiled.

“It seems fine, aches a little in the cold, but I’ll survive.” I shrugged, not wanting her to know that mobility in that shoulder was still touch and go. It more than ached, but she didn’t need to worry about that.

“Massages will help. Your muscles are probably tight.” She nodded. “I have a small massage business on my days off if you think it would help. I live up at the old Hays place.” Slowing, I pulled to a stop in front of her truck that was pulled off at an approach.

“If you think it would help, I might just do that. Griff Harp.” I stuck out my hand, glad to finally know the woman whose face I was seeing in my dreams.

“Elle Greggory. It’s nice to meet you outside of work.” She pushed the door open and left it open as she walked to her vehicle. She opened the driver’s side door and rummaged through something before walking back. Elle popped her head in and held out a card. “That’s my number. If I don’t answer, I’m at work, sleeping or in the arena, but I’ll call back.”

“Thanks, and thanks for caring for my horses.”

“Any time, but you really should go see a doctor before I start working with you” She smiled, closed the passenger door and walked away. Mid stride she turned and looked over her shoulder, “Oh, and Griff, you owe me a bra.” Her laughter was like music, and I wanted her to climb back in the truck so I could keep talking to her, but she drove away.

Looking down at the card, I read the phone number. Thankfully, the number had a succession that I would easily beable to remember. My thoughts drifted back to the lacy red bra that was hanging on my fence, and I sped off to the main ranch. There was something about Elle that intrigued me. It was more than her stunning beauty. Her being a nurse and managing her own massage business showed that she clearly is a passionate and driven woman. Elle was a breath of fresh air, someone who didn’t shrink themselves around me, and she wasn’t trying to impress me. Women fell over their own feet to get to me, Ryder, and Linc these days, but this woman hadn’t even given me the slightest hint she cared that I had money, a massive ranch and one of the most successful horse training businesses in the state.

Bursting through the front door of the main house, I kicked my boots off before I ran into the kitchen. “Where do I buy a bra?” I stopped and stared at the table full of people before me.

Six sets of eyes looked at me as if I’d lost my head. Their eyes sparkled with laughter, and it was impossible to miss.

“Why do you need a bra?” My best friend, Ryder, asked. We’d worked closely together over the years and I wasn’t surprised he’d been the one to ask.

“Long story, but I owe someone a bra. And a nice one. But how do I know her size? Is it like a one-size-fits-all situation?”

“You’ve held enough tits in your hands, pal. I would think you would know it’s not one size fits all.” Nash laughed as he lifted his coffee mug and took a drink.

“Look online, Griff. Give me your phone.” Nora reached out her hand. Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I handed it to her and went to pour myself a cup of coffee. “To find the size, you’ll have to ask the owner of the original bra,” Nora smirked and side-eyed me.

“I have it. It’s hanging on my fence,” I quipped. Every head turned to look at me, mouths open, and as if each one had a thought bubble pop up above their heads, I could see the questions forming.

“Well then, as long as the tag is still on it, you’re good,” Nora replied as she handed my phone back to me.

“Thanks. I’ll be back in a bit.” Setting my cup down, I headed back to my place.

The red bra called to me a beacon of light in the darkness. Crossing my fingers, I hoped the tag was still on it. Picking it up, I looked at where Nora had said. “Yes,” I called as I jogged into the house, pulling out my phone to see the website she’d found.

“Holy shit,” I muttered to myself as I looked at the prices of these things. Would she want me to replace it with the same one? What about pink? What if I got her one that was my favorite color?

That’s exactly what I was going to do. Scrolling through, I found the laciest, sheer electric blue bra I could find. Choosing her size, I added it to my cart and filled in all the information.

Hitting submit order, I leaned back in my chair. “Well, Elle Greggory, I’ll see you in a few days.” Chuckling to myself, I suddenly felt like a villain in a movie that was trying to take over the world. Except I was trying to take over Elle’s every waking thought.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed Jake Gordon’s number. “Hello, Doctor Gordon’s office.” A woman’s voice sang over the line.

“Hi Mrs. Gordon, I was wondering if Jake has any time free today?” If it was a prerequisite for Elle to see me again, I'd do just about anything.

“Can you be here in an hour?” Jake’s mother ran his office, and she was always so sweet.

Glancing at my watch, I hesitated, but Elle’s words rang in my ear. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

I hated doctors’ offices; they all smelled like antiseptic and carpet cleaner, and the lineup of chairs made me slightly anxious because I hated small talk, and in a small town, everyone was eager to talk your ear off. There was nobody here, so one crisisaverted. “Hey Griff, come on back,” Jake said as he turned back to his office and I followed him. “So, what’s up today? Need me to stitch you upagain?”

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