Page 2 of Unspoken Hearts
She shrugs, taking a sip of his tea to finish it off. “It’ll be faster.”
Dad puts his hands on her shoulders. “And that’s why I love you.” He pecks her on the lips.
Cole pulls a disgusted face, and my eyes roll at his immaturity.
“Come on then, before Aspen wakes.” Mum takes Dad’s hand, leading us all towards the back door.
Grayson frowns. “Where’s Holden?”
“He’s with the sheep. They need to move to the east pasture and the bummers need feeding. Calico is with him.”
“Ah, fair,” Grayson breathes out before crouching to pull on his dirty boots. “That man and his highland cow.”
Cole snickers, running a tattooed hand through his dark hair. “Calico is cute, though. You have to admit it.”
Grayson’s cobalt eyes flicker up, nodding in agreement. “For a cow, yes. She follows that man everywhere like his own daughter does.”
“Aspen and Calico together is the best thing I’ve seen,” Cole says, pulling open the back door.
Fresh morning air hits my face as I slip on my worn boots and follow them outside in the crisp, mountainous breeze. The view of the Blue Mountains is unbeatable. Ashwood Creek divides our land between the steep, rocky mountains covered in lush green trees and shrubs. The sunrise turns it a gentle teal colour, dousing the scenery in light golden rays and muted tones. All around us are green pastures full of animals and wildflowers, with the lingering smell of rain, meadows and hay.
I step out of the grey and white weatherboard house. Multiple pairs of boots crunch loudly against the gravel path. I nod to Dad before headingdown to the paddocks with Cole. He doesn’t stop talking the entire walk about some girl he met at the pub last night with his mates. I’m only half listening to him, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
Does he take a breath between his sentences?
I’ve never been much of a morning person, but growing up on the ranch has forced me into this lifestyle, as much as my body tries to reject it.
“—then she left without getting my number,” Cole grumbles in a deflated tone, his boot kicking at loose stones.
“Probably because you talked her ear off,” I supply gently, but I know it ticks him off.
Cole gives me a sideways glare as we reach the wooden gate of the paddock. Hand stopping on the metal lock, his silver eyes stare into mine, unblinking. His tongue pokes the inside of my cheek as he pushes open the gate. “I know how to talk with girls. Unlike you, grumpy ass.”
“I’d talk to girls if I was interested,” I retort.
It’s the excuse I always go with, at least.
My brother snorts loudly before walking towards the small steel shed in the back corner of the paddock where we keep the horse feed. Whiskey and Cinnamon trot after us, already anticipating breakfast. I scratch their noses while Cole opens the lock.
“Right, I get it,” he drawls out. “There’s only one girlyouhave eyes for.” I hear the amusement colouring his tone.
I glower at him, and his grin widens, making my teeth grind together uncomfortably.
“I don’t have a thing for Macie,” I utter, wanting him to get off my back about it, even though it’s true. And to make matters worse, Macie is Grayson’s best friend, which means she’s off-limits.
Cole’s dark brows flick up, deepening his playful expression. “I never mentionedher name, Reid.”
Grunting, I push him out of the way to grab a bag of chaff, wanting to hide the way my face is heating all over.
How’d he figure it out?
Cole barks a laugh, and I knock his shoulder with mine, resentfully, and make my way over to the trough.
“Come on. Just admit that you like her,” he taunts over my shoulder. My jaw clenches.
“I’m not admitting anything besides you being a pain in my ass.” My tone is so low that it sounds like thunder rumbling from my chest. “Because youare.”
My brother continues laughing, making me even more infuriated.
