Page 77 of Gotta Dig Deep
“I’m glad to know that.” His smile was somber, and Glenna frowned. “Medric is as close to family as I’ve got, other than Blackie and the boys, and you already know you’ve got their approval. Medric would fuckin’ love you for me. Would be so fuckin’ pleased.”
“I thought your mother was living?” As she realized there was much they didn’t know about the other yet, she asked this tentatively. “If it’s a tender topic, we don’t have to go there.”
“Nah, it isn’t a big deal. She never wanted me, then tuned me out as soon as I was old enough to take care of myself. When I left home for good, she gave me a little money, but only because the bartender guilted her into it. I hardly think about her. Only time I’ve talked to her since was after an issue with the same motherfuckers who fucked around out here.”
“You don’t miss her?”
“Hard to miss what you never had,” he stated matter-of-factly, his lips still curled slightly at the corners. “Now you, however? I’d miss you like I’d miss my arms and legs. You’re part of me, darlin’. Gonna always be this way between us.”
Shamu whined in the doorway, waiting until he caught their attention before he turned away. His nails clipped into the kitchen, and she heard him whine again.
“Sun’s up,” Horse murmured, leaning in to kiss her. “Shammy’s ready to hit the outside. He doesn’t like to hold his piss much, does he?”
“Nope. That’s what happens when Mom spoils you.” She laughed and returned the kiss with one of her own before pulling back. Threading her fingers through his beard, she scratched his jaw softly.Gah, he’s so handsome.“I better get rolling. There’re more chores now that we’ve got horses back on the place.”
“Still happy they’re here?” He cupped her cheek in one hand, callused thumb trailing across her bottom lip. “Still glad?”
“Fuck yeah,” she grunted the words, doing what she believed was a passable imitation of him. “Yes,” she continued in her normal voice as he laughed, burying his face against her neck. “I’m ecstatic that they’re home.”
“I’m fuckin’ glad, darlin’. Really glad, even if it’s more work.” He tightened his arms, then relaxed them, helping her sit on the side of the mattress. “You hit the shower, I’ll get coffee rollin’, let the mutant moo cow outside.”
“I’m gonna tell Gunny you’re calling him a cow. A mutant cow,” she teased as she made her way to the bathroom. “He’ll come back and explain to you how regal that dog really is.”
“Regal my ass,” Horse muttered, pausing for a moment to sit on his side of the mattress.
His side.She melted a little inside at the thought.
His side, her side, their routines that meshed so well, his mechanics corner. Everything pointed to what she wanted more than anything, but she was also a little terrified he’d balk when she laid out how she felt.
Lots of time for that.
With that thought, she turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature by rote.
An hour later, she was headed to the stables, Shamu at her side. The dog audibly grumbled when she took Golden out of his stall and tied him near the tack room.
Glancing around the stables as she brushed out the horse, she saw all the things Horse had done in preparation. How he’d managed without her knowing was a mystery. Even the deliveries of things had been done during her brief absences from the ranch. All so he could keep it a secret and surprise her.
Like I did with the bike and other stuff.She smiled, flicking an escaping strand of hair out of her face. She’d put it up into a messy bun this morning, planning on turning it into a tamed plait later, but now was later and the bun would be it for the day.
Mounted, she rode the horse out of the stables to find Shamu waiting by the ATVs, his ass stubbornly planted on the seat of the one she normally rode.
“Sorry, boy, it’s a horse ride today.” She rode past him, angling the horse towards the gate. Golden hadn’t lost any of his training, scooting close so she could lever the latch open, then swinging his body tight around the post so she could close it easily. “On the ATV I’d have had to do that from the ground,” she told the dog, now pacing the horse while giving them snarky side-eye. “Maybe you should learn to ride up here.” She patted the back of the saddle’s skirt, keeping a tight hold on the reins. “You can jump this high. I know that for a fact.”
Shamu turned to face her, his muzzle lifting in a disgusted snarl.
“Okay, suit yourself.” She pressed the horse’s sides with her calves, moving smoothly into a loping canter. “Could be riding, but noooooo.”
Shamu barked sharply, then danced out ahead of them, his attention already turned on the cattle. Golden’s focus was there, too, and Glenna grinned. She’d forgotten how much fun this could be when you had a partner in the work.
Later, she was walking Golden back to the stables, reins in hand as she and Shammy strode along side by side. Horse appeared out of the shed next door, wiping greasy fingers on a rag. He checked his hands before tucking the rag into a back pocket, reaching out stroke the horse’s withers.
“Good day?” His question came through smiling lips, and it was clear he already knew the answer.
“The best.” She paused, staring at him. “You’re a real good man, Graeme Nass.”
“Parts of me aren’t so nice,” he argued softly, fingers twitching the rag out again as he wiped his hands again. “But I’m glad you like me anyway.”
“Love you,” she corrected, grinning. Shamu barked from inside the stables, and she laughed. “Somebody’s ready for me to put up this horse.”
