Page 62 of Reins

“I don’t think you are.” Her lips purse as her shoulders relax.

“What? Crotchety?” I chuckle, reclaiming my spot next to her on the loveseat.

“Old,” she giggles.

My laughter surprises even me.

I catch a glimpse of her bright eyes and glowing cheeks as she joins me, making a ball of heat form in my chest.

I think I am enjoying this more than I should, but I don’t care anymore. It’s only temporary.

Yet for this moment, everything is perfect.

“I’ll be fine,” she lies to me. “I don’t need you to make a special trip.”

“It won’t take me long. There’s a gas station just a few miles down the road.” I drop the empty plastic ibuprofen bottle into the garbage and grab my coat off the rack.

After I slide my arms into the thick sleeves, I point at her with feigned intensity. “You just need to promise me that you’ll keep that pretty little ass firmly planted on the couch while I’m gone. Shouldn’t be more than an hour.”

Pink rushes up her throat into her cheeks as she fights a smile. “I promise.”

A rush of guilt floods through me while I tromp down the snowy stairs. I shouldn’t be joking with her so…inappropriately.

It’s too damn easy though. I mean, I was telling the truth.

She does have a nice ass. And my comment made her smile.

Shit. It’s turning into one of my favorite things.

My truck is still hitched to the horse trailer, so after checking on the animals I hop in the SUV Pete has loaned me to use for all of my running around.

I could go knock on his door to see if he has any of the pain killers.

But I also need a little break from her. I’m liking every brush of our arms, every giggle, every stray glance just a bit too much.

This is as good of a chance to catch a breather as any.

It’s not until I’m at the halfway point heading back that I notice I’m on a familiar path that takes me past the entrance to the Black Gulch.

Why am I doing this to myself? I already told Mom I’m waiting to talk to Mason.

It’s late. Everyone is probably gone.

Maybe now would be a good time?

Pulling into the wide spot on the road near the main gate, I dig out my cell.

“Hello? Just a second.” Her voice sounds…hesitant.

“Mom? I’m close. I was thinking about—”There’s a heavy thunk in the background. “I’m not sure tonight is a good idea, honey,” she says in a hushed tone.

I glance at the screen in confusion. Is this the same woman I spoke to just a few hours ago who was begging me to come by? “What? Why?”

“Honey—” She pauses and exhales heavily into the speaker. “—for some reason they think you might be behind a lot of the things happening here.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I grip the bridge of my nose and shake my head. “That’s ridiculous. I just got here a couple of weeks ago so I could investigate what’s going on. Pete pulled me in. For fuck’s sake, I’ve been in Texas.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing.