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“She’s your goat?” I manage to say, though the bite I expect to hear is missing from my tone. My words go ignored by everyone, Gumby included as he wiggles his butt next to the women. Only Gertie seems to notice I spoke, and she’s not about to help me out. She just stares at me, blinking, as if silently announcing victory.
“I don’t care about a little mud, darlin’,” Grams says, pulling the woman in for a hug. They wrap their arms around each other tight and rock from side to side, as though they’ve known each other forever.
Because they have known each other forever.
Well, shit.
“Macy Knight?”
“Macy, you remember our oldest grandson, Ryder?”
She turns her whiskey brown gaze to me, messing up the already erratic rhythm of my heart as she gives Gumby some butt scratches that make him go stupid. “Wyatt never mentioned you’d moved back to Emerald Creek,” she says, a hint of a smile spreading across glossy lips.
I scrub a hand over the back of my neck, working out a kink. “Haven’t seen much of him since I’ve been back. We’ve both been a little preoccupied.”
“Really?” Grams asks, her light expression falling. “You two were best friends.”
“Are,” I correct her, reminding myself that I shouldn’t be stealing full body glances of my buddy’s little sister. “Just been busy.”
“Say, Macy,” Paps says to her, “Since you’re already here, would you have time to help me with an x-ray?”
Macy’s entire face brightens. “You got a portable x-ray? Really?”
“I could use another vet’s assistance, if you’re not too tired.”
Vet?
“Who needs an x-ray?”
“Buttercup. One of our miniature cows.”
“You have miniature cows?” Macy squeals in delight. At least Gertie spares us another ear-piercing scream and settles for an enthusiastic baaahhh this time.
“I’ll have to pay for the house call in oatmeal cookies, though. I hope that’s all right?”
Macy jumps up and down like an excitable child, completely unaware that her tits are bouncing with extra vigor. I’m having a helluva time pretending I don’t notice. “Deal!”
“Ryder, I was hoping I could ask you a favor,” Grams says, gently grabbing the back of my arm, pulling me from my inappropriate trance. I’m certain it’s also a subtle nudge to get us out of earshot of Paps.
I nod and follow Grams, already suspecting it’s too much to hope that she’ll hear me out about the goat. There’s nothing to be done now since Paps is leading Gertie to the goat pen with Macy beside him. I give it a day before the mischievous critter masters an escape.
Gertie, like so many others, is here to stay.
“What do you need?” I ask once we’ve rounded the barn, ignoring the irrational pull I feel toward Macy. Wyatt’s little sister simply caught me off guard. She might be a fucking knockout, but that doesn’t mean she’s free game. If I crossed that line… I shake the thought away, refusing to let it surface.
One of the three cats that followed Grams from the garden tries to climb my leg. I reach down and gather the fluffy orange mouse-killer into my arms. He gives one playful swat, catching the edge of my stubble-covered chin, before turning into a cradled, limp purr machine.
“I think you like the animals more than you’re willing to admit,” Grams says in a gentle accusation.
“Herby earns his keep. Don’t you Herby?” He rubs his head against my chest, purring louder.
“Gertie will too.”
Arguing with Grams is less advised than picking a fist fight with a porcupine. “What favor did you need?”
“I ordered some things for the—” Grams looks back over her shoulder, most likely for Paps, then leans in to whisper, “party.” She’s referring to the surprise eightieth birthday party we’re throwing for Paps this weekend. An expense I don’t dare dispute if I value my life. “Mind swinging into town and picking them up? Warren will have everything boxed up. Maybe you can store it all at your house until we need them.”
Another blood-curdling scream echoes across the ranch, causing me to instantly tense. One cup of afternoon coffee won’t do the job today. Guess I’ll sleep when I’m dead because I’m going to need an entire fucking pot just to handle our newest resident. “On one condition.”
