I peeked between my fingers, gauging his reaction. There was no humor in his voice, but something else. Something I didn’t really want to think about, because there was no way Grady Wilde was in awe of me.
“Well, she was wrong,” I mumbled. The strand of hair I’d tucked behind my ear earlier came loose, and I moved to put it back. Grady tracked the movement, his eyes lingering on the spot my fingers last touched.
“There she is! You got that list, sugar?” I jumped back as my dad and Bishop came into view with the vet and farrier in tow, their faces sticky with sweat from the Texas heat. They stoppedbeside us, looking between Grady and me with curiosity. “Who’s this?”
“Grady Wilde, sir. Pleased to meet you. Mr. Riley has told me a lot about Black Springs, and I gotta say… Y’all really do have one of the nicest places around.” Grady stuck out his hand, the same one I’d gripped moments ago, for my dad to shake.
“Ah, is your momma Marsha?” Grady nodded, smiling. “Thought so. Ya look just like her. She could bake a mean cherry cobbler.” He leaned toward me, dropping his voice to a stage whisper. “Don’t tellyourmomma though. She’d kill me.”
“Secrets’ safe with me,” I said, holding up my hands.
“And me,” Grady added. “But thank you, sir. Honestly, there isn’t anything my mom can’t make. She makes staying in shape hard.”
“Eh.” Dad shrugged. “That’s what we have ranch work for.”
“Ya ain’t wrong ‘bout that,” Mr. Harris, the vet, said, tapping his stomach. “Ever since I started slowin’ down ‘round the practice, I’ve been noticin’ my pants fittin’ a bit tighter. Told Missy she better be careful cookin’ like that, or else she’s gonna have to buy me a new wardrobe.”
“Or maybe your ass just needs to move around more,” Dad said, jabbing his elbow into the man’s side. “Probably do you some good.”
“I’m seventy-three for Christ’s sake. Don’t a man deserve some rest?”
Dad shook his head. “Naw. Speak for yourself, old man. I can rest when I’m dead.”
“Probably after, too, you crazy bastard,” Mr. Harris muttered. “Let’s get this shit goin’. I’m already sick of this damn heat.”
“You got the list, sugar?” Dad repeated, turning to me.
Grady stepped up. “I’ve got it right here, sir. Cleo was kind enough to bring it over.”
He handed it over to Mr. Riley and Mr. Harris, who studied it closely. They flipped through the pages just like Grady had, theirbrows raising slightly in surprise. “Damn, this is good,” the farrier murmured, side-eyeing my dad. “But I know your ass didn’t do it.”
Dad wrapped his arm around me, pulling me tight. “Naw. That’s all my girl right here. I’d lose my head if it weren’t for her.”
I couldn’t help but blush, but it wasn’t from Dad’s praise. I was used to that. No, this was because of the way Grady kept looking at me. Maybe I was reading too much into it, maybe it was my childhood crush coming back full force, or maybe I’d watched too many rom-coms lately, but I swore there was something more to it.
Two people who didn’t know one another didn’t stare the way he was, especially not how his gaze dropped to my mouth every time I spoke.
Dad gave me one last squeeze before letting me go. “You finished up in here?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve gotta finish the stalls. I started at the front and have been working my way back, so y’all are good to grab the first batch.”
“You need some help? Bishop can stay behind.”
I looked at the guy standing beside my dad. He’d been with us for a few years now and had given everything he had to the ranch. Dad always said he didn’t play favorites, but I knew Bishop was at the top of the list without question. He’d come to our Friday family dinners since Dad hired him, which was a huge honor. Those were for family only.
I shook my head. “No, I’ve got it. Y’all go ahead.”
“Alright, sugar. Whatever you say.” Dad kissed my temple before ushering the others outside.
Before heading out, Bishop bumped into my shoulder. “You couldn’t have lied to get me outta this damn heat?”
“You’re the one who wanted to be a cowboy,” I said,laughing and making sure Dad was out of earshot. “So, go do cowboy shit.”
I didn’t cuss much, especially not out loud, but Bishop was a horrible influence on me.
Bishop’s shoulders slumped before mumbling goodbye and heading out the way Dad went. It was only then I realized Grady was still standing near the entrance of the barn. I lifted my hand, instantly feeling stupid as I waved.
Get it together, Cleo.
