Page 44 of Cowboy of Convenience
Grady parked his truck and climbed out, going around to help Evelyn out. She stood beside him, eyes bright as she looked around the property his family had owned for generations. "I didn't even know this place was out here."
"There's probably a lot around Moss Creek you don't know about." Grady slipped his hand in hers, taking full advantage of the ruse they were establishing as he led her into the barn. It was one of his favorite places to be growing up, even if running the ranch was never high on his list of future plans.
Funny how that worked out.
Larry came striding out of the tack room, smiling wide as his eyes landed on them. "I wondered where in the hell you were this morning." He came their way, continuing to smile. "I was starting to think you were finally takin’ a day off."
Grady shook his head. "Not me. There's no time for days off."
Larry slapped him on the arm, crinkled eyes focusing on Evelyn. "This one here wouldn't know a day off if it hit him with a stick."
Grady rested one palm on Evelyn's back. "Evelyn this is, Larry."
Larry offered one hand up, giving Evelyn's a gentle shake. "Nice to meet you. I've known Grady since before he was born."
"Larry and my parents have been friends since they were kids." The older man had been a fixture in his life. As a kid he called his father’s best friend Uncle Larry, fully believing they were actually related.
Evelyn smiled back, leaning toward the ranch hand. "Has Grady always been so bossy?"
Larry laughed, long and hard. "Used to be worse." He tapped Grady in the center of his chest. "The force mellowed him out a little."
Evelyn's brows lifted as she looked him over. "This is you mellow?"
Grady gave her a single nod. "You're welcome."
Evelyn laughed, the sound light and airy as it echoed through the barn. It was a sound the space hadn't heard in a long fucking time, and it sure as hell needed it.
"You bring her to work?" Larry looked Evelyn over, taking in her T-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. "Because if you did, I've got a few stalls that need mucked out." He gave Evelyn a wink like she didn't already know he was teasing her.
"Maybe next time.” Grady slid one hand into the back pocket of her jeans even though there was no reason to put on a show for Larry. He’d never introduced the man to a woman in his life, so her presence was enough for the man to draw conclusions. “Today I thought I'd take her for a ride. Show her around a little bit." He'd spent so long feeling resentful about the property that was now his responsibility, and it felt good to be proud of it. To want to show it off.
"I think that sounds like a great idea." Larry thumbed over one shoulder. "Might want to head on over to the east pasture. We've got a new addition out there."
Grady picked up his meaning right away. "Good idea." Everyone loved baby animals, and he couldn't imagine Evelyn was any exception. "I figured we'd take Lula Bell and Scout."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "You have a horse named Lula Bell?"
Larry tipped his head. "Sure do."
She beamed. "I love it."
"You'll love her. She's a sweetheart. Real easy-going." Larry shot her another wink. “I bet you two will be fast friends.”
Evelyn nodded, pressing her lips together as she shifted around on her feet, showing the first hint of nervousness. "Sounds good."
Grady and Larry spent the next few minutes getting the horses out and saddling them up. Evelyn watched quietly, taking it all in with a hesitant stare. When they were done he turned to her. "You ready?"
Evelyn took a deep breath, shoulders squaring. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Grady led her over to where the mare his mother used to ride stood, calmly waiting. He walked her through the basics of mounting and offered a little bit of a boost as she swung herself up and into the saddle, grinning from ear to ear when she was settled. "I did it."
Grady rested his hand on her thigh. "I knew you would."
He passed her the reins, giving Evelyn a quick rundown of how to handle them.
“I think I’ve got it.” Evelyn still looked a little hesitant, but her smile was gaining confidence with each passing second.
Grady checked everything over one final time, making sure she was as safe as possible. “I know you do, but honestly Lula Bell will just follow whatever Scout does, so you can just sit back and relax and enjoy the ride."
