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“She’ll try to run.”
My heart leaps into my throat. Though I’ve suspected as much, hearing Paps say it out loud makes it all the more real. “She has a life in Fort Collins, Paps. She can’t exactly stay.” Gumby whines, nudging me harshly with his nose. The words taste just as sour as they feel. I fish a treat from my pocket I was saving for Barney and offer it up as an apology. Gumby gobbles it down.
“The key is giving her enough space to figure it all out before you go after her.”
“Is that how it happened with you and Grams?” I ask, realizing I’ve never heard the story about how they met or ended up together. Weird. It never seemed important until now. Meeting Macy as a grown woman has completely changed my rigid perspective on so many things in life.
Paps parks the golf cart just outside the stable entrance. Hand propped over the top of the steering wheel, he turns to look at me, a twinkle in his eye. “In her defense, I did ask her to marry me on our second date.”
“But she married you anyway.”
“She tried to get on a train to Sacramento first.” He looks me square in the eye. “I didn’t let her get on the train.”
“How did you?—”
A loud, deep bark comes from inside the stable, effectively ending our conversation and moving our feet in a quick shuffle inside. Now I know where Barney’s been all day. Should’ve guessed. He’s been sweet on Molly since she arrived a couple months ago. The Great Pyrenees greets us at the entrance, trotting back and forth between us and Molly’s stall. “Should I call Macy?”
“And Dr. Garrison. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
CHAPTER 13
Macy
I’m running a few minutes late when I pull into my favorite diner, The Cow’s Moo, to meet Everleigh for dinner aka ice cream. I’m riding another orgasm high thanks to Ryder kidnapping me during Paps’ mid-afternoon nap. We didn’t even make it into the bedroom this time. I was at the kitchen sink washing my hands free of goat slobber when my leggings were stripped away.
A wave of euphoria ripples through me at the memory of his cock entering me from behind, filling me in that oddly perfect way I never thought was possible.
Sex with Ryder is just…good. And these past few days, I’ve been happy to take—and give—all I can get. In the bedroom, in the shower, in the back seat of my Jeep, in the barn, and anywhere we can find a little privacy.
Through my windshield, I glance at the giant black and white cow painted on the side of the single-story brick building and smile at a favorite staple from my childhood. The one the residents of Emerald Creek have lovingly dubbed Dorothy. A boy in a green shirt runs by the mural, stopping to beep the painted cow on the nose before hurrying inside the diner, followed by his mother.
My phone chimes again, no doubt a text from Everleigh wondering what’s holding me up.
I don’t even try to smother the wicked smile as I stuff my phone in my purse, resisting the urge to rush through the door. I’ve been craving my favorite tornado for ages. I’ve been so busy with school and clinicals and work that I’ve failed to make it home in a few years.
Walking through the door of The Cow’s Moo, I can’t seem to remember why I stayed away so long. There’s a tug of nostalgia that begs me never to leave. Or maybe that’s orgasm brain. Though I’m ready to get back to my life in Fort Collins—and hopefully start planning for my transition from clinic to the oncology program—I’m already mourning the loss of all the amazing orgasms.
Inside, the diner looks the same.
White and black checkers everywhere, red leather booths, chrome accents, and a ring of stools around the front counter. Framed black and white photos from the movie Twister dot the walls, making my heart ache.
“There you are!” Everleigh moves from behind the counter, untying an apron and stashing it in a bin. She mumbles something to the high school girl in a yellow The Cow’s Moo t-shirt then grabs my arm and drags me to the corner booth we used to frequent in our youth. “Did you get lost?”
“Not exactly.”
“Oh my god, you’re glowing.” Everleigh lets out a laugh, propping her chin in her hands as she stares at me.
“Your grandma’s not here today?” I ask, searching the pass-through window for Jean. I’m years overdue for one of her bear hugs.
“It’s good, isn’t it?” Before I can contemplate feigning innocence, she adds, “And don’t you dare try to deny it. I know good and laid when I see it. And you’re about ten levels above that.”
“It’s more than good.” I feel giddy in a way I haven’t felt in years. Sex with Ryder has been mind-blowing. The man knows his way around my body. He’s figured out every little thing that makes me tick and explode. I never knew I could enjoy sex this much. Who knew a selfless lover was a real-life thing?
“So you two are together, then?”
“What? No.”
“Oh, so it’s just sex?” Everleigh uses air quotes for the last words, her tone calling bullshit.
