Page 49 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

Any time he’s off work, but not at home or with me, I obsess whether he’s with other women, dating, and enjoying his summer like a man of his age should.

Noxious green poison of jealousy floods my veins, and to survive his absence, I go to the ranch, rage clean, or read an extremely smutty book.

Connor’s never been secretive, but he’s also an adult and doesn’t have to tell me where he is at all times. Sometimes he says he’s going to hang out with CJ, his sister, or his parents.

But sometimes he doesn’t mention where he’s going, and my gut sours with envy he’s sowing his oats.

Why do other women get his time and attention when I’m the one desperate for him?

“Delilah! Wait up!” Connor shouts from behind me. Damnit. Why did he have to follow me? I can’t be alone with him while he’s covered in glittering sweat and masculinity. Why does he have to smell better when he’s all sweaty and dirty?

Fucking pheromone bitches.

I quickly calculate where I’m at in my cycle, and I’d better be ovulating for how feral I am for this man. His hand grazes my lower back, and I nearly leap out of my skin at the contact.

“Woah, sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you heard me,” he says.

“Sorry. Lost in thought,” I lie. It’s not like I can be honest and say, I heard you, but I’m running away from you, so I don’t beg you to carry me over the threshold and put a baby in me.

We walk in stilted silence the rest of the way to the main house.

“Sam’s cabin’s really taking shape. You guys are doing great work.” I break the tension.

“Yea, it’s coming along. I hope Reid keeps letting me help. I want to be part of the build from start to finish.”

“Yea? I never knew you were interested in construction.” My interest piques.

“I didn’t either. But working for the highway’s getting old and I’m ready for a change. Watching you chasing your dreams inspired me. I’m proud of you, doll,” he says bashfully.

“Liv’s working with her dad, Iz found her place in the Andersen’s businesses, Quincy’s trying to find herself after losing Sam. Everyone’s moving on but me.”

His words send me into a panic. Moving on? Connor wants to move on…without me?

No.

I can’t let that happen. Not when things are so weird between us. How can I keep him here—with me? He’s happiest helping out on the ranch, and he gets along well with Reid.

I’ll be spending the rest of my life at the ranch in some way or another to stay close to my sister. The cabin construction will only take so long, so it wouldn’t make sense for Connor to make that his career, especially if it takes him away from me like the highway work does.

It hits me square in the face. What was Livy saying when she was teaching me about Maisey’s hooves? The need for a qualified farrier and how hard they are to find.

I’d been at the stables with Livy trying to take my mind off Connor. Unfortunately, it didn’t take my mind off it for a second.

Instead, a radio station blared in my head telling me how stupid I am and how he’ll never want me, all while learning how to check Maisey’s hooves.

But there’s a neon arrow pointing to one thing Livy said. Good farriers are expensive and hard to come by, and with Lucky Spurs Ranch expanding as rapidly as it is, Reid’s mentioned hiring one full-time.

Without a second thought, I blurt, “Reid’s looking to hire an on-staff farrier to tend to the horses.”

Connor takes the crushed water bottles from my hands and opens the door for me. I busy my hands rinsing out the pitcher and refilling it with ice water for the group.

“A farrier? Like, the horseshoe guy?” Connor asks.

“They maintain their hooves and fit them with horseshoes. Olivia said horses can go lame if their hooves aren’t properly cared for,” I say.

“Lame like…injured?”

“Painful joints, cracked hooves, even abscesses. It messes with the way they walk, affecting their whole body,” I explain the little I know.