Page 54 of New in Town

It is a beautiful, cloudless day. The sun sparkling off the river before them.The perfect day, he thinks happily, taking a sip of coffee and looking over at Maddie.

“It doesn’t really go away completely in public like that. I’m just able to manage it, make it duller. Wrangler’s is usually worse than other places. That was the first time I was able to distract myself from it enough to stay there.”

He sits in a rocking chair and pulls her down onto his lap. She reaches up and runs her hand along his jaw. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Is there anything I could have done to help?”

“You did help, sweetheart. It’s better in the long run to approach and not flee when the panic starts to spike. I’m not always successful at riding it out, though. It gets worse the next time I have to go back out in public then. But apparently,” he pauses to press a kiss to her forehead, “being able to focus onyouis the key to distracting from the panic.”

She nuzzles against him, his heart stuttering in response. “How long have you been dealing with this?”

“Since I was a kid. I didn’t understand what it was then. I just always knew I had to get outside to be able to breathe. At school I’d ask to leave class for the bathroom and then sneak out to this little courtyard we had. I’d hide under a tree until I felt okay enough to go back in. It got worse at first when I learned that my little episodes were called panic attacks. Once I knew what anxiety was, I became more focused on it.”

He pauses and motions around them. “It doesn’t happen out here. Since graduating and being on the ranch full time, it’s become fewer and farther between.”

“That’s why everyone in town acts like they never see you?”

He laughs, “Yeah, I don’t spend much time in town.”

“Why did you agree to do it for me then?”

“I just had this feeling; I knew I wanted to see you again. And you looked so sad and worried about how everyone was treating you. My first urge was to burn the whole town to the ground, but—agreeing to the arrangement you wanted seemed like a better option.”

She bites her lip, worry on her face. Reaching out, he unhooks her lip. Grey hates seeing that look on her face and the crease in her brow. He can tell she is getting lost in her thoughts.

“Tell me,” he urges.

“I just... I’m thinking back on our dates, and I’m worried I was missing everything that was actually happening for you. I’m imagining how awful it must have felt to sit in Norma’s. Oh my gosh! And to go to the carnival and the rodeo!”

He tightens his grip on her and shakes his head. “Everything meant time with you, and I enjoyed each date. I wouldn’t do any of it differently if I had the chance, Maddie. Not a thing.”

She lifts her chin to look at his face, searching his expression. Apparently, she’s satisfied by what she sees because he can feel her relax in his arms. She takes his face in her hands and pulls him into a deep, soulful kiss.Definitely the perfect day, he thinks.

25

GREY

The week passes quickly in a haze of late nights tangled up with Maddie and crisp early mornings at the ranch. He’s got his girl, even if it’s tenuous. And he’s taken over all the team lead duties, even if it’s not official yet. Grey didn’t think he would ever be in this place in life, and the idea is thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time.

He adjusts his Stetson and takes in the scene before him. The dirt trail winds along the grassy mountain side, nothing but wide-open field and sky before him. He glances over his shoulder to find Pippa trailing him and Bullet, nipping at the heels of the cattle they’re moving.

She’s grown quickly over the last two months, her fierce confidence growing along with her. Cooper, Wyatt, and Riley are with him today. It’s an odd feeling, to have his own crew behind him instead of tagging along with Brett and Floyd. Riley catches his eye and tips his hat to Grey.Odd, but right, he decides.

With the wedding about two weeks away, he knows Brett will be approaching him about making the position official. A part of him knows he must agree to it for Brett and Floyd’s sake. But he’s starting to feel good about it too, mostly.

* * *

When he reaches her door, he can swear he smells something garlicky and enticing in the air. And is that Tom Perry he hears? He checks his watch; this is the time they’d set to go out to dinner.

Before he can question things further, the door swings open and Maddie stands before him. Her hair is swept up in a knot atop her head, a floral orange scrunchie holding it in place. From her bare feet to the white tank top, no bra to be found, he has a feeling she isn’t walking out this door with him right now.

“I was hoping you’d be okay with a slight change of plans,” she says breathlessly. “I lost track of time and I’m not quite ready.”

Grey tilts his head at her. Whatever change of plan involves her like this, comfortable and intimate, he can get on board. “You look gorgeous,” he replies.

With a dismissing flit of her hand, she steps to the side leaving the entrance to her home open to him. Brushing a stray strand of hair from her face and pressing a kiss to her lips, he steps across the threshold.

He follows her upstairs expectantly, quickly understanding that the change of plans means staying in. She guides him under the newly hung, ambient string lights and past the table with glowing taper candles. His shoulders relax realizing he won’t have to be in a loud, crowded restaurant tonight.

“Sit.” She points to the couch. “Want a drink?”

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