Page 138 of Catch
“Do you have a lot of rescues?”
I glance around and count thirty stalls, fifteen on each side. And this is one of three stables on the ranch.
“Only a handful right now. The rest of the horses are raised and bred for sale. Most of them for racing, some for work and recreation for other ranches. But I’d like to expand and bring in more rescues, maybe offer riding lessons too.”
I hear the click of boots and turn to see Gifford walking up to us. Harry and Cate are down at the other end of the stable, talking to one of the ranch hands.
“Whiskey takin’ to you?” Gifford asks me.
Whiskey leans into my hand as I pet his neck, his hair velvety soft.
“So far, so good.”
“Jett, Bandit has a shoe that needs fixin’. Can you give Quinten a hand?”
“On it.” Jett turns to me. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Don’t worry,” Gifford states. “I’ll get Ethan settled in.”
Jett stalks off, but I’m no longer nervous about the horses. Not when I sense that my boyfriend’s grandfather is about to give me the third degree.
“When Jett was a little boy, you could never get him out of this place,” Gifford comments. “Still can’t.”
“He loves the ranch more than anything.”
“He does,” Giff replies and nods at me. “And he loves you.”
I meet Giff’s unwavering gaze.
“I love him too, Giff.”
He moves closer to Whiskey, stroking his flank.
“It broke our hearts losing Amy. For Jett to lose his mama. Did he tell you?”
“Yes, he did. All of it.”
Gifford sighs.
“For a while, it looked like we might lose him too. But with time, therapy, and most of all, love, we made it through. Jett’s strong, but he’s not invulnerable. And a parent, or grandparent, never stops worrying about their child. When Jett came out to us, I won’t lie, I was more than concerned. Still am. Not about him being gay, I just don’t want to see him get hurt.” He pauses. “And after that business with his asshole ex?—”
“I know.”
“All I want is for Jett to be happy.”
“He is.”
“I can see that. In fact, I haven’t seen him laugh or smile so much in years.”
“We bring out the best in each other,” I proudly admit. “We’re different in a lot of ways, but we fit.”
Gifford nods.
“You take care of his heart, Ethan. It’s the most precious thing in the world to me. That’s all I ask.”
“I will.”
I offer my hand, along with my promise, and Gifford takes it, pulling me in for an unexpected hug.
