Chapter 20
“I need some more eggs. Any for you?” Jesse asked his grandmother. He had plans for some souffle omelets somewhat made-to-order. Miss Leona turned from what she was doing at the stove and looked over at the island. They were halfway through making breakfast, enough food to feed their family, their guests, and to get Jesse to at least one p.m.
“I am all set. Mind Goose when you go out there. She’s been snippy all week.”
“Got it.” Jesse headed out back to his grandmother’s garden and caught sight of the menacing hen in question. “I got no beef with you, Goose.” He made a shooing noise, then his phone vibrated in his back pocket just as he opened the coop. He stepped back, closing the gate, and checked his phone. He felt lighter as soon as he saw the text from Lily-Grace.
On our way back!
Her text came with a selfie of Lily-Grace with DJ Clip Clop. He couldn’t help but smile. She was glowing, genuine happiness written all over her face. Buying her something as extravagant as a horse didn’t seem like an over-the-top idea anyway. Just as he was about to respond, a text from Zach slid across the top of his screen.
Hey man, just a heads up. I think Lily-Grace is a little upset you didn’t come.
Jesse read the text twice, trying to process what Lily-Grace had just sent him and what his brother was telling him at the same moment. He let out a deep sigh, feeling like his chest was about to cave in. He had a feeling he’d fucked up, sending her off to be the seventh wheel with three couples, even if the thing between Lilah and Fetu was just an act. He was sure she was having a good time, but he knew enough how it felt to be the odd one out, not having a partner. Even if she had a blast, it wasn’t hard to imagine that she felt some way about having someone, and him choosing not to be there. Fuck.
He quickly responded to Lily-Grace’s text, letting her know he’d be waiting for her outside of his place. Then he switched to his text conversation with his brother.
Did she say anything?
Hi, it’s Evie. Zach’s driving.
She did mention she wished you’d been there,
but she had that look on her face
every time I looked back during our ride.
Us ladies know that look.
Thanks for letting me know.
Jesse quickly grabbed some eggs, free of injury from the demonic Goose, and then headed back inside.
“Gang’s on their way. I’m gonna go meet them.”
“Make sure Lily-Grace and the good doctor know my rules.”
“Don’t worry. They’ve been well instructed in post-trail-ride protocol and assigned a shower and a dressing room.”
“That’s excellent news.” She smiled at Jesse and turned back to the sauce she was making. Jesse took off his apron and turned for the door. He stepped over Clementine before another heavy thought occurred to him.
“Miss Leona?” Jesse said.
“Yes, baby. What can I do for you?”
“Is there a reason you stopped riding with Granddad? Or why you don’t ride now?”
She turned her burner down and turned to face him. “I don’t ride now because if I fell off a horse, my body would immediately turn into dust. I still got it, but I don’t got it like that.”
“Fair.” Jesse chuckled. If Zach was still jumping off horses when they were in their eighties, he’d stage an intervention.
“And as for your grandfather, I never stopped riding with him.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. At least once a week, we’d go out together. That was our favorite time together. We’d talk or just be silent together. It was those moments that reminded me why I fell in love with him. He’s the one who taught me to ride.”
“Right, okay.”
