Page 132 of Pretty Little Scars

Taking her hand in mine, I lead her out to the barn, and we work together to get Ellie saddled, and then I saddle my own horse and lead them outside.

On the way past the stall with the kittens, we can hear them meowing and playing, and Darby grins.

“I’m going to take them to the garden tomorrow,” she says as she gets up onto the saddle, looking as comfortable as can be.

And sexy asfuck.

“I try to get them out of the barn as much as possible, hold them and interact with them. They’ll be house cats, and I want them to be as well-adjusted as they can be.”

“Did you find a home for that little black one?” I ask as we ride side by side near the tree line.

“No.” She huffs out a breath and then turns to me. “I’m torn.”

“Okay, talk to me. Is the little guy okay?”

“He’s perfect, just on the small side. That’s not it. Okay, I’m going to ask, and you can say no. You can just tell me that I’m ridiculous, or?—”

“Duchess, just say what’s on your mind before I’m old and gray.”

“I want to keep him.” She winces, and all I can do is frown at her.

“So, keep him. What’s the problem?”

“I don’t have a place to put him. I don’t have ahome, Tucker.”

“The fuck you don’t.” Jesus Christ. “How many times do I need to tell you that you’re here, with me, and that you’ll be here, with me? Darby, you don’t simply live here because you work here anymore. I can’t imagine this ranch without you. You’re here because I want you here. Inourbed, taking care ofyourgardens, helping me withourhome. If you want a cat, keep the cat. What else do you want? Ellie’s claimed you, so you have a horse. Do you want chickens?”

She wrinkles her nose and then looks thoughtful. “You know, maybe I do. You already have sheep.”

“Yep.”

“What about goats?”

I recently sold off the last of my goats and hadn’t planned to replace them.

“Not a huge fan, but if you want goats, we’ll get a few.”

“Why don’t you like them?”

“It’s the eyes. I can’t get past them. And they can be aggressive. Don’t get the ones that pass out.”

“Theyfaint,” she says with a laugh. “And they’re kind of cute.”

I shake my head, enjoying the banter with her. “Pigs?”

“Too dirty,” she says, shaking her head. “Bison?”

“Bison?You want me to start raising bison, Duchess?”

She busts out laughing and shakes her head. “No, I just threw that out there. Hey, what about bees?”

“More witchy concoctions up your sleeve?”

“Honey isfood, you know. And it’s really good for you, especially when it’s made on your own property. It can help with seasonal allergies and illnesses, and?—”

“Yep, witchy concoctions.”

“I’m going to hurt you.”