Page 3 of Unspoken Hearts
“You’re lucky Grayson hasn’t figured it out yet.”
I forcefully shove handfuls of mixture into the feeder as our horses wait patiently, munching away as soon as I’m done.
Grayson would hate me if I told him that I’ve liked Macie since high school, which is why I have made a conscious effort not to make my feelings noticeable. Clearly, I wasn’t as skilled as I thought if this menace could see it.
I run my hand through Whiskey’s deep chestnut mane, the brittle strands coarse and dusty as his tail swishes contentedly. Turning to my brother, I utter gruffly, “Grayson has nothing to realise because it’s not true. There’s nothing between Macie and I.” It technically isn’t a lie.
Cole splutters at that, his eyes rolling slowly. “Right. You expect me to believe that?”
“Yes,” I snip bitterly, already over this conversation and desperately wanting to be inside, away from everyone. I savour my time alone, Living with my family makes it’s near impossible to achieve.
Cole just shakes his head, dark strands falling down his forehead as he walks back towards the gate. I stalk after him, feeling the familiar pressure in my head aching. Closing the gate, I give my horse one last pat with a promise to take him out for a run later, before strolling beside Cole to the next paddock.
Luckily, he drops the whole Macie conversation, instead going on about his racing team and how they’re gearing up for the new season. I’m glad he has something he’s interested in, because growing up, Cole could barely sit still. He gave up on projects halfway through almost every time, except for his go-karts that turned into racing—his main focus. It’s the one thing besides video games that seems to steal his energy and attention.
I don’t doubt that he’ll move away soon since it’s a pain for him to travel from here across the country, but for the time being he’s happy here, and the rule is if you live on the ranch, you help out on the ranch.
Straightforward.
By the time we reach the main house, Cole has moved onto a new video game he and his mates are waiting to release later this week. I know nothing about it since I don’t think I’ve ever picked up a controller myself, but for his sake, I pretend to seem interested. His racing rig set up is definitely more fun than just using your thumbs, but I really don’t understand the hype.
I silently listen until we’re back inside the main house where it’s loud with everyone talking. I have to refrain from groaning.
“Uncle Reid!” Aspen’s bright brown eyes light up as she barrels towards us, still dressed in her pink pyjamas with her shoulder length tawny hair still tied into braids from yesterday. She smiles widely, making her cheeks pinch. I smile at the little gap in her teeth and splattering of golden freckles splashed across her button nose as she stops at our legs.
I crouch down and Cole does the same. Aspen opens her hands to show us a baby duck. It’s tiny with yellow fluff, and I feel my eyebrows tightening with concern.
“Uncle Gray found this!” Her words bubble out with uncontrollable excitement.
My eyes lift to Grayson, who is rubbing at his chin, caution colouring his deeper eyes.
“I think it’ll need some heat,” Cole murmurs beside me, assessing the duckling that strains to chirp. “That thing can barely stand on its own.”
Holden, our other brother, strides out from the hallway, carrying a cardboard box in one hand and a heat lamp in the other. He places the box down in front of his daughter on the timber floor. “Here, sweets. It’ll have to live in this for a while. It needs to stay warm to grow strong.”
Holden helps her get the duckling settled. It chirps and tries walking, but it’s definitely too weak.
“Where did you find it?” Dad asks, peering into the box as Mum rushes over with two small bowls—one with water and the other with seeds.
“Down by the spring. I tried looking for more, but I think it was left behind,” Grayson explains, puffing out his chest a little. “I couldn’t leave it there.”
“Good thing you found it when you did. It wouldn’t have survived the week otherwise.”
Stepping backwards, I pat Grayson on the shoulder before walking into the kitchen that smells of batter and syrup. My stomach rumbles loudly when I spot pancakes already piled up on a plate. Taking one off the top, I tear it in half and fold a piece in my mouth. Buttery goodness slides down my throat, and I give a small involuntary groan at its fluffiness. Grayson comes and snatches the next one.
“I’m not finished in there!” Mum calls out. Both of our heads snap up to her frowning face, wrinkles creasing around her tight lips. I quickly swallow the evidence. “You boys can’t wait two minutes for me to get a duck settled?”
Grayson and I exchange a look before chuckling at how ridiculous she sounds.
Mum pushes us out of the kitchen. “I’ll get it ready then, since you obviously can’t wait.”
“I’ll put the plates out,” I offer, reaching into the cabinet top.
“Fine. Thank you,” Mum says, but it hardly sounds appreciative. Then she turns her attention to my brother. “Gray, will you be home for dinner tonight?”
Grayson slides onto the wooden bench at the dining table as I set it, not helping me.
He shakes his head. “I’ll be at Macie’s. Axel is moving for uni tomorrow, so she wants to have something before he leaves. And Laynie is back from Sydney so I want to see both of them.”
