“Great.”
Zach slapped his thigh. “Alright. Let’s get you set up.”
Zach was very serious about getting a joke off at least every other minute, but he was a shockingly good teacher. He patiently walked Lily-Grace through each step of getting DJ Clip Clop ready for the trail, while Lilah helped Fetu get set up on a horse named Bert. Jesse posted up by the door, well out of the way, but every time she looked in his direction he had a little smile for her. Finally they were ready to go, seven horses and their riders. And two dogs.
She fell in line behind Zach and Evie, with the rest of the gang behind her, and Sam bringing up the rear. She waved goodbye to Jesse and decided to focus on what her horse was doing instead of watching him disappear as they rounded the side of the barn and headed for the trailhead.
She realized pretty quickly why Zach liked to head out this early. The cool morning air on her face and sky brightening over the mountains was something she couldn’t describe. Good company welcoming her already, like she was family. Sam’s demands for a sing-along rendition of “Can We Talk” as they crossed a small stream. Lily-Grace couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this free. She took a deep breath as the sun finally came into view, and all she could think of was Jesse.
All the things he’d said about his family, how alienated he felt, even though he was close with his brothers. She understood why now. He’d spent his whole life missing moments like this. She absolutely understood his fear, but couldn’t believe this was a property he owned and he’d never gotten to experience it this way. She hated that they weren’t experiencing this moment together now.
Dane’s dumb ass entered her mind too, but in a way that made her realize how much of Charming she’d missed in the years that she’d been gone. How much time she’d wasted with him. Of course she came home for holidays, but even that ended when she made enough money to fly her father wherever he wanted to go. Her good memories of this hometown of hers involved Jenny, and her dad, and sometimes those thoughts were still clouded by the memories of all the people who had bullied her. She had to admit to herself, she’d never seen this side of Charming and she’d never experienced it with the Pleasants. Or Fetu.
They stopped at another wider stream and let the horses rest, when Sam turned to her.
“I’m gonna stay out of Jesse’s business,” he said.
“No it’s fine. Get all in his business,” she replied, laughing a bit.
“Nah. I was gonna say I’m glad you could come, because the way Miss Leona’s been talking about your dad, you might be family sooner than we thought.”
“Oh, I believe that. He is really into your grandmother. Like really into her.” She didn’t want to blow up his spot, just in case he hadn’t dropped the L-word to Mrs. Lovell’s face, but she’d never seen her father so in love. She was surprised that he hadn’t gone horse shopping yet.
“I’ll get in your business for a second,” Evie said. Lily-Grace glanced up at Clip Clop before she looked back at Evie, who was rubbing her stomach in a very particular way.
“Go for it. I’m an open book until I’m not.”
“See, I like you.” Evie laughed before she grew serious. “Obviously this thing with you and Jesse is new, and it’s clear that he really likes you, just from the fact that he actually set foot in the barn.”
“Hey, he came in the barn with me,” Fetu teased.
“He really likes you too, Doc. I’m sure.”
“Thank God. He’s so hot.”
“As I was saying. I just—” Evie was definitely about to cry.
“I think what she means to say is thank you,” Zach cut in. “You’ve brought Jesse out of his shell a lot. In a way none of us could. And you too, Fetu. You sexy man, you. It’s nice to see Jesse happy and making new friends.”
“I was ready to kickbox him in the throat after what happened with my father, but I’m seeing a change too. A huge change from when we were kids. I’m sad he didn’t come with us,” Lily-Grace said.
“That’s right,” Sam said. “I keep forgetting you guys did elementary and middle school together. Jesse’s basically still the same height he was then so at least there’s that. But yeah. He’sreallyhappy.”
“So you’re saying I have to marry him?” she joked. Kinda.
Zach’s expression dropped suddenly. He dropped Steve’s reins and marched right for her. She stood her ground just in case shit was about to get weird. She’d punch Zach Pleasant in the throat if she had to. Both his large palms dropped down to her shoulders. “If we could bind you to this family through means of marriage and make use of that financial genius of yours, I would propose to you on Jesse’s behalf.”
“Babe, stop!” Evie yelled. “Leave the woman alone.”
“I’m trying to help you too, baby. Lily-Grace and that app of hers are the reason I was able to keep not-at-all-creepy tabs on you during college.” Zach turned back to Lily-Grace. “We got a big acquisition coming up. Just think about it.”
“Ooof, wife and business partner all at once. Let me think it over.” She winked at Zach, which seemed to be all he needed to return to his horse. “And if that doesn’t work out, as your maybe step-aunt? I think I can still slip you guys a few tips here and there. But it looks like you and Jesse have things well in hand.”
“Yes, but your mind, I can’t walk away from that time of financial brilliance.”
DJ Clip Clop chose that moment to give her a little head butt in the shoulder, as though he agreed.
They stayed at the stream a little longer, then headed back to the ranch. Lily-Grace knew the experience would stick with her for a long time. She just hoped she and Jesse could do more things like that together.
