Page 10 of Hello Handsome
But now that I was looking at myself, really looking... I didn’t recognize myself asAggie. I saw a mom and an employee. I didn’t seeme.
Determined to get some of my flair back, I went to the hallway bathroom the kids and I shared and dug through the drawers. Surely, Isabella had left some of her makeup behind on one of her visits.
After a little digging, I found a used eye shadow pallet with various neutral shades.
I felt a little nervous as I took out the little sponge and dabbed some shimmery brown powder on my upper lids.
Looking at myself in the mirror and seeing that shimmer, a twinge of confidence lightened my chest. It was like giving myself some of the care I’d shown to my kids over the years, and it only took a couple minutes.
Maybe going out with Gray wasn’t just about seeing if this friendship could be more—it could also be about reclaiming a life that was just for me.
If my mom was alive to see me, she’d probably make some dismissive comment about my looks or my size. I loved her to death, but she could be my harshest critic. She especially liked to judge me for being friends with Grayson. Like other people in town, she couldn’t accept that a man and a woman could just be friends.
And despite her passing several years ago, I could still hear her judgmental voice in my head.
Older men are always looking for young tail.
Don’t get your hopes up.
Why would a man like that go for a single mom? He’s already got kids to care for.
I shook my head to clear the thoughts, wishing I could grow out of wanting my mother’s approval.
When I walked out of the house, the warm morning air brushed over my skin, and I focused on that feeling to dissolve my worries. I loved summertime. A little sunshine could always change my mood.
I got into my car and drove out of town, taking it slow on the dirt roads. Every big rock under the treads sent a jolt through the car. Despite my turtlesque speed, dust lifted behind me in the rearview mirror. Eventually, I made it to the turnoff with a big metal sign that said Madigan Ranch.
Turning down the driveway revealed a cute white farmhouse surrounded by wild sunflowers. The same kind that lined the ditches this time of year. I smiled at the sight, hoping it was a good sign of things to come.
When I reached the house, I saw Gray farther down the drive, waving at me from beside the big red barn. He had on a T-shirt and jeans like usual, and when he lifted his arm up like that, I could see a sliver of his strong abdomen.
He didn’t have six-pack abs, not at his age, but he was solid and strong without a beer belly like most older men around here.
I grinned at him through the windshield as I pulled up and parked beside the barn, then got out of the car.
“Hi, Aggie,” he said warmly enough to match the sunshine.
I loved the way he said my name—especially since he was the only one to call me by that nickname. It felt special and private, just for us.
“Thanks for having me out,” I said, rubbing my hand nervously over my arm. I could see two horses wearing saddles inside the corral, and my stepdad’s words echoed through my mind.
You’re not going riding. You’re too fat for a horse to carry you.
Sissy can ride because she won’t break its back.
I angrily shoved down the words of that bitter man and followed Gray as he led me to the corral. He opened the metal gate for us, and then the ground underfoot changed from gravel to a softer, dry mix of mud and manure. My feet sank in with every step, and I was glad to have on boots.
“This is my horse, Blister,” Gray said, gesturing at a gorgeous white-speckled horse. As I drew closer, I could see the flecks were a mix of gray and cinnamon colors.
“He’sgorgeous,” I gushed. “Why give such a pretty horse an ugly name?” I patted the animal’s meaty shoulder. It cast its big, dark eyes at me then looked ahead again.
Gray patted the horse’s cheek and said, “’Cause I worked so long to break him that I got blisters. Seemed fair after what he put me through.” There was a small, playful smile on his lips that had my stomach flipping.
The chestnut horse on the other side of Blister let out a snort like it wasn’t getting enough attention, so I said, “What’s this one’s name? Hemorrhoid?”
Gray’s chuckle floated through the air, making me smile too. “This one is Acres,” he said.
I smiled. “Much better.”
