AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m impressed.”
She had mentioned it a few weeks ago, and when Brooklyn overheard, he reminded her he had several horses that needed grooming and she could come over anytime she wanted. Of course, I elbowed him in the ribs when she wasn’t looking and told him to shut the fuck up.
I love my brother, but he’s also as loose as they come. I definitely think he hides his feelings for his ex-wife Eden, but he won’t admit it. He told me she’s having a long-distance relationship with some guy from out of town. As long as Brooklyn doesn’t see it, then it’s not happening.
My brother Beau is married to his console and as for Gabe, well, who the fuck knows? Who would put up with that temper of his to begin with. Having said that, he can be charming with a woman when he wants to be. Nevertheless, he was out of line asking Hartley if we were screwing. It seems he picks and chooses when he’s a gentleman or an ogre.
No one knows that Gabe was the wildest out of all us boys. The amount of times I dragged him out of Moose’s over the years, got roped into fights and saved him from screwing anything that moved when he was drunk and disorderly. I’m sure he has a short memory where all of that is concerned.
It still hurts me deeply that we’re not really friends anymore. I don’t know how to bury the hatchet and move on. He incessantly argues with me about the smallest things and I always take the bait.
I might even suggest he try to get some action of his own. It might make his temperament a little more bearable for the rest of us.
“You’re impressed I smell like a horse?”
I sniff her. “You smell pretty good to me.”
She laughs. “I did shower and change, but I kinda like the daisy dukes I had on earlier.”
“I don’t like the idea of you wearing those with Gaitley around. Despite his silence, he still has eyes in his head.”
She laughs. “Ooh, getting a little jealous, are we?”
I nip her ass as I turn and fold the back tray up and secure the canopy.
“Damn straight. You’re new in town, and half the population of Stoney Creek knew about you merely hours after your arrival. Aunt May wants to adopt you. My mom adores you. Even Uncle Jack was asking if I had any inclination to date my lawyer.”
Her blue eyes meet mine. “And what about you, Gray?”
I pull her hips, my lips hovering above hers. “I think you know.”
She looks into my eyes. “These past few weeks, they’ve been amazing.”
“They have. I’m just bummed I can’t take you anywhere in public. Hence why I wanted to show you my piece of paradise tonight, if you’d like?”
She smiles. “I’d like it very much.”
“Good.”
“Just gonna grab my cell and we’ll get going before the sun sets.”
A few minutes later, we’re driving onto the West side of the property, along the fence line until we get to a metal gate. I hop out to unlatch it and push it open, returning to the truck and drive through.
“Wow, Gray. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Hartley whispers.
I grin. “We’re deep in tree country now, sweetheart.”
“The smell, it’s like after it rains and everything is fresh again.”
I love how she notices the little things. “It’s the oak trees. They’ve grown on the property for over a century. Long before my great-grandfather bought the land. Bulls used to run along the far east side until my parents grew barley and grain for the distillery. We used to have corn, but we need so much of it, we get it delivered locally by the truckload.”
“That’s amazing,” she says.
“There’s something special about it, that’s for sure.”
“It’s so quiet here too.”
“I know. Away from everyone, hence the reason I jumped at the chance when Mom and Dad wanted me to have it. I’ve always loved trees, riding horses through here, the landscape and the creek running past,” I go on. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced when I’m down here.”
