Something brushed against my arm, and I jumped. My watery gaze flew to the horse, who spooked and shuffled back a few steps, a snort escaping her as she pinned her ears.
Shit, I’d forgotten where the hell I was, what I was even supposed to be doing. What a great fucking horseman I was. I needed to get out of here. What I was doing was dangerous on a good day, but in this state of mind, it was nothing more than a goddamn accident waiting to happen.
To my surprise, the filly took a step toward me. And then another. And another… Until she stood right before me. And then she nuzzled my stomach.
Could she possibly know I was pregnant?
Great, so apparently even the damn horse knew but I hadn’t. Just more proof that I had no business having a child. And then I was crying again, because you know, why not?
She rested her head against me, and slowly one of my hands found the side of her cheek. I ran a tentative hand across it, careful to go slow and not spook her. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but when she finally pulled away, I wasn’t crying anymore. The fear had left her gaze, a softness there I hadn’t expected to find.
“You’re a good girl, aren’t ya?” I kept my voice low, whisper-soft.
She didn’t answer, because of course she didn’t, but I’d take her calm as a sign we were making progress. I didn’t do much else with her aside from run my hands along her neck and back, getting her used to my touch, my presence. Despite doing a whole bunch of nothing, sweat dripped off of me in buckets. My hair felt like a mopon my head as I exited her stall. Gross. Pulling my trucker hat off for a moment, I tied my hair up into a bun before plopping my hat back on. I needed a shower. I felt emotionally and physically drained, but at least I hadn’t thrown up today. There was still time, though.
I latched her stall, intent to go back and shower and prepare myself mentally for Cash’s party later on, only to find Charlie making her way toward me.
“Hey!” She waved at me before shielding her eyes from the hot sun.
“Hey. Maverick said you got conned into decoration duty?”
She snorted. “Yeah, but honestly it beats goin’ to church with the boys.”
“Not religious?” I asked.
“It’s not that, really…” Charlie’s shoulders rose and fell. “Church just never really has been my scene. Too much gossip for my taste.”
“I get it.” Church hadn’t really been my thing either. But more so because Daddy and I moved around so much. Daddy hadn’t been too religious to begin with, though, so church hadn’t been much of a priority before.
Charlie smiled, but something in her gaze held a level of concern in the grey depths. Or maybe I was just projecting. “You okay?”
I frowned. “Yeah. Just hot and tired.”
“You sure?” Charlie’s brow rose.
So, I wasn’t projecting. Was I that easy to read or had Maverick said something?
“What did Maverick tell you?” I grumbled out, defeat ringing in my words.
“Nothing. You just have tear stains on your cheeks. And… I don’t know—” She rubbed at her tattooed arm. “You look sad.” The softness and sincerity of her words, the worry in her gaze written plainly on her pretty face, broke me. Shattered the walls of my composure, leaving nothing but rubble.
Then I was crying. No, not crying.Sobbing. Body-wracking, gut-wrenching sobs that made me cave in on myself. I was a fucking mess, but I couldn’t stop it.
“Oh my God, girl… what’s goin’ on?” Charlie’s warm hands gripped my shoulders, gently forcing me upright.
I looked at her through my tears, her silhouette blurred. “I’m…p-pregnant.”
Charlie rocked back at that, surprise shining in her gaze. “Really? Is it with that asshole ex of yours?”
Another sob tore from my chest, the pain of it shooting though me and bowing me inward. The only thing keeping me upright at this point was Charlie. I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded.
“Oh, Chey…” She pulled me into her, enveloping me in a hug. I held onto her for what felt like forever, riding the waves of my emotions, until my tears didn’t run like rivers, and my sobs didn’t feel like punches to the gut.
She pulled away as I wiped my cheeks. “So, I’m guessing you told Mav?”
I huffed. “Are you kiddin’? He knew before I did. I woke up this mornin’ to a box of pregnancy tests sittin’ on the counter.”
Charlie’s gaze widened before a soft, knowing smile settled on her lips. “Figures. Maverick is the most observant person I’ve ever met. He guessed when I was pregnant too.”
