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“Not that that’s the only reason I’m inviting you. I’m just saying, my dad points would skyrocket, is all.”
“Well I’d be happy to help. Dad points can be hard to come by.”
“Shoot, don’t I know it. Plus, we’ve been in cahoots with Sharon—that’s Gray’s mom—to get him off the ranch and doin’ somethin’ fun for a change. Man never stops.”
“Ah, I see. So maybe Marge was in on it too, setting up our little excursion?”
He nudged me on the shoulder. “I knew you were a smart one.”
“Well I think that’s nice of you all. I know workaholics can be set in their ways.”
“Oh for sure. Gray already told me he’s not comin’ on Saturday, but I’ll figure a way to drag him there.”
“You’re a good friend.”
He took a deep breath, biding time while he thought of his next words. “Been like a brother to me my whole life. I don’t know where I’d be without him.”
I could tell it ran deeper than that, but didn’t want to push. I just smiled at the bond these men had.
Mason led me through the stables and I got a quick view of the horses, each one more adorable than the last.
I didn’t have time to admire them, though, because he seemed to be on a mission. We walked through the main pathway down the center of the building and into a separate section at the far end. It looked to be an addition to the stables, added on later, judging by the newer siding on the exterior.
We passed what looked like a tack room, and some storage. Then around a corner where a solid wood door stood closed.
Mason banged his fist against it three times.
“What?”
Gray.
“Don’t mind his cranky attitude. He hates bein’ chained to the desk all day.”
I smiled, unsure of what to say. I could have figured that, but I could also figure Gray’s cranky attitude came with the territory, no matter where he was.
Mason pushed the door open, waiting for Gray to look up from his desk. As soon as he did, I felt his eyes scan over my body, not missing the fact that my arm was still tucked into Mason’s. I could tell the moment he realized because his eyes turned dark with a simmering rage.
He cracked his neck to the side and tried to disguise it, but I knew a look of jealousy when I saw one. Or maybe it was possessiveness. Either way, it sent a tingle down my spine and I knew I’d have to examine that feeling later.
“Hi, Gray.” I smiled, refusing to be less than pleasant just because he wanted to have a pissing match.
“Hey.” When he looked me in the eyes, my knees almost buckled from the intensity. I might have bit my lip. Maybe even squeezed my thighs together. It was hard to recall.
Eventually he cleared his throat and his eyes fell on the box of cookies.
“What's this?”
“Oh, well, I wanted to come by and thank you for taking us out yesterday.” My voice was unusually quiet. Unsure. As someone who spent their entire life interacting with people—and doing it well—I found that confusing.
“I found her up at the house,” Mason said, a smirk on his face as he patted my hand. “Thought you’d want me to bring her by.”
“Yeah, well you can fuck off, now. I heard Walker was looking for you.”
Mason snickered, just barely. “Oh, is that right?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Thought Walk was up in the northwest pasture fixin’ the fence today.”
