Page 63 of New in Town

They watch together as an owl soars overhead, its screeching call breaking the silence. This ranch and lifestyle is ingrained in Grey to his core. If she can’t accept this, she’ll never accept him. He knows she can see the honor and tradition in operating a cattle ranch. She just has to decide if she is willing to look past her father leaving her for this.

But this place is vital to Grey. He scrubs his hand along his jaw and turns to Brett. “I want to be team lead. Permanently.”

Brett smirks, “Bout time, man.”

Loosening a gruff laugh, he says, “Yeah, well. I’m already your point man. Might as well.”

“You know, if I wouldn’t have made it back from the Navy, you were next in line in my old man’s will.”

Grey can feel his jaw fall open in disbelief. The elder Hayes, somehow, had been more stoic than Brett. He would have never imagined the rancher held him in such regard.

“Actually,” Brett continues, “he used to call me and tell me whether I came back or not, he was thinking of putting you in charge.”

“He was just screwing with you, trying to get you to come home.”

“You know that’s not true. He was a straight shooter, and he was right. Give yourself more credit, Grey.”

“I’d hate to have your job,” Grey replies plainly.

Brett laughs. “I know. But team lead? You were born to run the operations out there,” he says, motioning his hand at the basin before them. “And I need my brother in the position to keep it in the family.”

“You’re so sentimental these days,” Grey jokes. He doesn’t need to tell Brett how much he appreciates the comment. How much he appreciates Brett bringing him into his family. Like a brother, Brett just knows.

“Anyway,that’s actually what I came to talk to you about, seeing as I’m off for a honeymoon in two days. So get back in there and drop the ruse with Maddie.” He gives Grey a reassuring pat before disappearing into the night once again.

Sitting outside a moment longer; the only sound he hears is the crunch of Brett’s boots fading into the distance and the chirp of frogs along the riverbank. His thoughts drift back to Maddie, hope still alive in his aching chest.

He steps back inside, ready to lay it all out on the line with her. Only, when he moves into the bedroom, he finds her fast asleep. She’s curled up on what’s become her side of the bed, looking serene.

After a fast shower himself, he slides into bed beside her. She rolls towards him in her sleep, as if by instinct, cuddling up against his side. He wraps his arms around her and nuzzles his face into hair. Holding her like this, the stress from today falls away.

“I don’t care that the deal is up tomorrow,” he whispers, dropping his head lower to trail kisses along her shoulder and up her neck. “You’re everything to me, Maddie. This won’t be out last night together.”

30

GREY

Morning came way too fast. Grey pulls Maddie closer as the first rays of light stream in. Maybe they could hide away in here all day before the wedding.

“Hi,” her sweet voice chirps. Turning to face him, she peers up through her lashes. his chest fills with warmth at the sight. She seems better today, his grain of hope growing.

Brushing her hair back over her shoulder, he smiles down at her. “Hi, sweetheart. Sleep well?”

“Very,” she murmurs, bringing her hand to his chest. She trails her fingers across him softly, leaving delicious chills in her wake.

“Maddie, I want to apologize for yesterday. I didn’t come, and I didn’t call. And I don’t want you to think I took that lightly.”

“Apologize?” she pulls back in surprise. “Grey, you had to stay and help! This was important, I don’t fault you.”

“You’re not mad? You seemed… distant yesterday.”

“Oh. No, I wasn’t mad. I was distant because—”

“Grey!” a loud voice booms from outside, followed by thundering knocks at his door.

“He can wait,” Grey says, turning back to Maddie. “You were saying?”

She sits up in the bed as Grey’s name is called again. “Isn’t that Brett?”

---