Page 82 of Wilde Hearts

“Ensley, I need you to listen to me.”

I looked up from where I was attempting to reshoe a stubborn horse. “I’m listening the best I can, Grady.”

“In my bedroom, I have a brown leather journal.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve written down some private information in there that I don’t want anyone to see, if anything happens to me.”

I nodded. “Got it.”

“Ensley! I really need you to listen!”

Stopping what I was doing, I straightened. “Grady, I heard you. You’re just telling me where your journal is. Anyway, isn’t that something Colt should do? Hide your dirty little secrets and fantasies from your parents?”

He rolled his eyes. “I wanted to tell you.”

“That you have a journal…”

“Yes.”

“I got it. Brown journal, in your bedroom. Get it before your mother does.”

“I keep it in my desk.”

Confused, I slowly shook my head. “Grady, why are you telling me this? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, of course. But I have some personal stuff in there about…girls. Sex. Things like that. If I ever get in an accident, you cannot let my mother find it.”

I started to laugh. “You write about your sexual encounters in your journal? That’s so cute!”

Rolling his eyes once again, he said, “Ensley, there was a particular night that I really don’t want anyone to know about.”

“The threesome night?”

His mouth fell open. “How did you know about that?”

“Um, because you called me to come pick you up and take you home. Don’t you remember?”

“No!”

I winked. “Just be glad you called me and not Colt.”

I drew in a sharp breath when I realized the book in that drawer was Grady’s journal, the one he’d told me about. I’d completely forgotten all about it.

Hands still shaking, I picked it up and opened it, noting the first entry date was from Grady’s freshman year. I skimmed through it until I got to a date a couple of months before his death.

My eyes are bothering me. They have been for a few months, but I kept telling myself it’s nothing. Now I’m starting to worry it’s something. I can’t be a pilot if my eyes are messed up.

Flipping forward a few pages, I was three weeks out from his death. I took several steps back and sank down onto the bed.

I told Gina I was still having issues with my eyes. It’s getting harder to see at night, which isn’t good. And yesterday, while we were flying, I had a hard time seeing from my peripheral vision. Gina’s insisting I go see an eye doctor. I probably do need to get an eye exam, especially since this seemed to come on pretty quick. I need to be able to see to fly! She also wants me to tell my parents. I think my eyes are stressed and that’s all.

When I turned the page, the date jumped a week.

I’m going to an eye specialist in Granby today. I haven’t said anything to anyone else. No sense in worrying my parents, Colt, or Ensley. Gina’s worried enough for everyone. HA!

My father jumped down my throat again today about the family business. I’m going to have to man up and tell him about my plans, and he isn’t going to be happy. He has Colt to take over the business, and I know he’ll do a great job. I did tell Mom about the flying lessons and about Gina. I couldn’t gauge her reaction. She seemed happy that I was doing something I’ve always loved. She told me that when I was little, I used to talk about being a pilot. I do think she’s worried about the age difference between Gina and me. She’ll get over it! Once I get my eyes figured out, I’m going to tell my parents about my plans for the future. Being a farrier isn’t one of them. And Gina is the love of my life. No matter what, she comes first.