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“Sounds. . . eventful,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. I knew how much Gray hated working with cattle, and doing paperwork.
“Oh, the most glamorous of days.” His chuckle was deep and infectious, and I found myself laughing along with him.
“Okay, maybe not glamorous,” I conceded. “But there's something to be said for the simple things. The honest work.”
“Simple, maybe. Honest, definitely.” Gray paused, his fork midway to his mouth. “What about you? I can't imagine social media is all sunshine and rainbows.”
“Ah, the life of an influencer,” I mused, swirling the wine in my glass. “Well, today I taught a yoga class online—did some stretches that would make even a limber cowboy wince.”
“Is that a challenge?” His eyebrow quirked up, and I couldn't help but grin at the playful note in his voice. “And can I get a private lesson? I might need to watch and review your moves. Over and over.” He stroked my leg under the table.
“Maybe,” I teased.
“So what else?”
“I also spent some time planning new content, took a few photos for upcoming posts. It's not always easy, finding the right angles, the right light. But when it all comes together, it's pretty satisfying.”
“Sounds a little like ranching,” Gray said after a moment, his tone thoughtful. “Finding the right balance, making sure everything works together. Maybe we're not so different, you and I.”
“Maybe not,” I allowed, feeling a warmth spread through me at the thought. Our banter had taken on an easy rhythm, the initial animosity we'd felt toward each other now just a distant memory.
* * *
Dinner had just wrapped up, the plates scraped clean and the wine glasses left with nothing but remnants of a deep red swirl at the bottom. I was leaning back in my chair, the soft glow of the overhead light casting a warm ambiance over the kitchen. Gray's laughter still echoed in my ears, a sound that seemed to resonate with the soft hum of the refrigerator. The ease between us felt as comforting as the plush throw on the couch in the living room.
“Ya know,” Gray said, pushing his chair back with a scrape against the wooden floor, “I need to check on Bella Blue before turning in. Didn't get around to it earlier, what with the scuffle I had with Walker.” His jaw tensed for a moment at the memory, then relaxed. “She's close to foaling, and I want to make sure she's comfortable.”
“Is she okay?” My concern was immediate, thoughts of our dinner fading as I envisioned the beautiful mare he so often spoke of with an affectionate gleam in his eye.
“Yeah, she's a tough one. But it's better to be cautious, especially at this stage.” He stood, stretching out the muscles that clearly bunched under his flannel shirt.
“Can I come with you?” I blurted out, surprising myself with the eagerness in my voice. My days were usually filled with capturing the perfect image or holding poses that would have most people reaching for their backs in sympathy. Yet, as I looked into Gray's surprised blue eyes, I realized I wanted—no, needed—to be a part of this side of his life too. “I mean, if you don't mind. I'd love to see more of how you do things around here.” I added, trying to sound helpful rather than nosy.
Gray's gaze held mine for a heartbeat longer than necessary, and something unspoken passed between us. “I’d love that,” he finally said, a hint of a smile teasing the edge of his mouth. “Let me show you the ropes. Though, fair warning, it can get pretty messy.”
“Lead the way, cowboy,” I said, pushing aside any lingering hesitation. My heart thumped with a mix of excitement and nerves. This was Gray's world, raw and real, and I was about to step further into it.
We headed out the front door and walked over to the stables. Gray's stride was purposeful, a testament to the countless times he'd walked this path, yet his pace slowed just enough for me to keep up in my less-than-practical footwear.
“Never thought I'd see the day Eryn Blake would be trailing mud on her designer boots,” he teased, casting a sidelong glance that softened the edges of his usual gruff demeanor.
“I don’t mind getting a little dirty now and then.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.” He smirked.
We approached the stables, and the world seemed to hush in reverence to the sanctuary of wood and straw. Gray pushed open the heavy doors, and a soft golden glow spilled out, bathing us in its inviting warmth. The scent of hay and horses filled my senses, raw and earthy, grounding me in the here and now.
“Wow,” I whispered, stepping in, my voice barely above the gentle rustle of animals shifting in their stalls. The place was serene at night, a stark contrast to the constant buzz of my digital life. For a moment, I found myself envying Gray and his tangible connection to the land and these animals.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Gray's voice was low, carrying a note of pride that resonated in the quiet space.
“More than beautiful.” My gaze swept over the neat rows of stalls, each one housing a silent guardian with watchful eyes and twitching ears. “It's like stepping into another world.”
“Guess it is, at that,” he admitted, leading me further down the aisle between the stalls. His shoulders relaxed noticeably within this familiar environment, the burden of daily ranch life momentarily forgotten under the watchful gaze of his charges.
I trailed behind him, my earlier confidence now tempered by the realization of just how much this place meant to Gray. It wasn't just land or animals—it was a legacy, something enduring that he nurtured with calloused hands and a heart I was only just beginning to understand.
Stepping softly on the fresh straw, I followed Gray to the end of the stable where a separate enclosure held a presence that was both formidable and serene. Bella Blue's stall was an oversized sanctuary befitting the queen she clearly was, her coat gleaming even in the dim moonlight that filtered through the high windows.
