Page 4 of Rescued Hearts

“Gets the job done.” Actually, the Black Heart served many purposes for the people who lived on it. The ranch was different things to different people.

His little sister Willow lived for her horses and ran the house like a drill sergeant, whipping all of the Malones into shape whether they liked it or not. Even Gray found himself doing small tasks just to keep her from nagging at him. Just this morning, he had placed his dirty coffee mug into the dishwasher so Willow didn’t have to do it.

His oldest brother Carson founded the Black Heart Security company, and the office was always busy with phone calls and new contracts with clients. The therapy program for vets was Oaks’s brainchild. And Colt…well, he bounced between all of these things but hadn’t yet found a place to land. He would in time, Gray knew, and was happier than Gray had ever seen his brother.

The youngest of the Malone siblings, Denver and Theo, were still deep in the trenches, off fighting wars and protecting those who couldn’t defend themselves. Noble things, but Gray couldn’thelp but wonder when they’d return to Wyoming with their own ghosts to shoulder.

Crew didn’t speak, and Gray didn’t need him to. They stood at the rail, side by side, watching the horses dozing, their glossy hides gleaming in the sun.

“I came here on my own,” Crew said at last. “No one forced me. Just couldn’t ignore it anymore.”

“I get it.” He looked away at the sprawling fields and mountains in the distance. “Takes guts, man.”

He huffed a quiet laugh. “Took hitting rock bottom.”

Gray nodded. He knew that place. Too damn well.

For long minutes, they stood there, letting the silence do what words couldn’t. Gray wasn’t a man for talking about his own problems, and he wasn’t about to pressure another guy to spill his guts to him. But this? This he could do. Stand in the quiet and let someone else’s pain settle between them, to let them know they weren’t alone.

Eventually, he pushed off the railing. “C’mon. I’ll show you around.”

Crew nodded. “Lead the way.”

And just like that, it was another step forward. For both of them.

Chapter Two

When Honor rolled over and cracked open an eye, the whirlwind events of the past day settled on her. She had really done it—left the man she once believed she would marry and drove to her sister’s place in Willowbrook to open a new chapter.

The exciting life awaiting her left a tingle in her belly, butterflies she embraced wholeheartedly.

She woke without an alarm or a schedule. Without a gnawing weight pressing on her chest. The golden light streamed through the sheer curtains and fell across the warm oak hardwood floor. The lightweight cotton sheet felt good draped across her body, but it was nothing compared to the fresh mountain air trickling through her cracked bedroom window.

Only one word came to Honor’s mind at this moment—peace.

She could tell by the position of the sun that she’d slept longer than she intended. Throwing out her hearing, she listened for signs of her sister still being in the house. But all was silent.

Even the street was quiet compared to the one she’d lived on with Sully, which always seemed to be bustling with activity. Eager to explore her new surroundings and visit her sister, who would be at work in her bookstore, Honor threw off the sheet and rolled out of bed.

The guest room that Felicity had made into a comfy haven for Honor’s arrival looked like a bomb had detonated. When she arrived, they hauled in most of her belongings, leaving only the crates of jewelry supplies in her van. Finding places for thebags and boxes scattered around would take some time, but she wasn’t going to do it now.

A slip of pink notepaper lay on her nightstand.At the bookstore—Felicity.Her sister’s neat cursive caught Honor’s eye and filled her with a hint of jealousy. Felicity always got the awards in school for good handwriting, while Honor got the pat on the back and was told to keep trying.

But the sight of that note warmed her.

She padded to the bathroom and stared at her reflection in the old-fashioned oval mirror hanging above the pedestal sink, circa 1940s. The familiar messy tangle of her hair was nothing new. But that look on her face was.

She looked…relaxed.

Quickly, she piled her hair on top of her head to shower. Afterward, she let the mass tumble down her shoulders, fluffing the loose waves with her fingers. Then she slathered her skin in organic goat milk lotion in the most delicious lemon cake fragrance imaginable and added a smear of lip gloss.

In the bedroom, she unzipped the first bag she saw and pulled the dress off the top. One of her favorites because of how the loose cotton spattered with tiny flowers both flattered her figure and was completely comfortable for summer days just like this.

In the kitchen, she eyed the coffeemaker. She needed caffeine—desperately. But she grabbed her phone and shot Felicity a text message.Coffee run. Your usual?

Her sister’s response was immediate.Yes, please! You’re a gem. And the shop girls will love you forever if you grab some for them too!

With the texted order on her phone, Honor set off for the front door. She knew from the few times she’d visited Felicity that the walk from the house to the main street of Willowbrookwas a short and pleasant one, so she left her van parked in the driveway and set off on foot.

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