Page 93 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

“No, she didn’t. Maybe Liv’s with her, Delilah’s been looking for her all morning,” I lie, and James’s face pales. I clap him on the shoulder and turn back for the center of the cabin, chuckling to myself at how fun that was.

I’m searching for Delilah when Reid scares the ever-loving shit out of me.

“You and I need to have a little chat,” he says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, leading me to sit by the fireplace.

“Where’s—” I try to ask, but Reid answers like a mind reader.

“Greyson drove the Irish twins to town. More like Greyson needed to run to town and the twins stowed-away, leaving him no choice but to bring them. Don’t ask me what they’re up to. I have no fuckin’ clue. But you’re lucky because Delilah started asking questions about why you keep running off, and Greyson may have saved your ass,” he says, eyebrow raised pointedly.

It should only be James and Liv left in the cabin, and they’re otherwise occupied, so I tell Reid the truth. He’s already helped me so much and I’ve come trust him

I’m going to need someone “on the inside” to cover for me anyway.

“I know you’ll tell me to piss off for getting all up in your feelings, but before I tell you, I want you to know I had no intention of stealing attention away from you and Izzy’s special day.” I raise my hands offering peace.

“Yea, piss off. What’s going on?” he asks, crossing his leg, ankle over knee.

“Delilah and I are eloping in the morning.” Reid’s eyes widen comically.

“But she doesn’t know yet…” I hedge.

“Explain,” he commands simply, face like stone.

“Hear me out. I’ve dreamed of marrying Delilah since I was a little kid. She’s always been it for me. My parents had the fairytale marriage, and even with my dad’s Alzheimer’s, my mom’s love hasn’t wavered an inch. When Quincy married Sam, I was so happy for them, but I spent the ceremony imagining it was me and Delilah at the altar. I did the same thing yesterday during your ceremony—sorry man, no offense.”

“No offense taken.” He waves his hand for me to continue.

“I’ve waited too long for Delilah to be mine, and yesterday, watching you marry Izzy…I can’t wait another day to tie myself to her forever.”

“That’s great, man. How the fuck are you going to pull that off, though? Is that why you’ve been sketchy as fuck with your phone all morning?” Reid asks.

“Yea. My friend CJ’s planning everything behind the scenes—he’s psyched to use his ‘gay superpowers’—his words, not mine.” I chuckle.

“What do you need from me?” he asks, and I’m blown away by how easily and genuinely he offers his help.

“I need you to keep this between us, and Izzy.” Reid raises that eyebrow again, pulled taut by the scarring on his face, making him look menacing even though he’s a teddy bear.

“I know, I know. It’s a huge ask. I just need you to cover for me until tonight. As soon as we leave, you can tell everyone else for all I care.”

He considers this, stroking his beard, clearly displeased I’m asking him to keep secrets from his family.

“Fine. But I ain’t lying for you. I’ll keep my mouth shut, because that’s not out of the ordinary. I’ll casually suggest to my mom that she occupy the women today—facials or some shit—then you can get your affairs in order without Delilah noticing you acting weird as fuck.”

“Thanks, Reid. I owe you one.”

“Two.”

“What?” I ask.

“You owe me two favors. At any time, no questions asked,” he barters.

I take that deal in a heartbeat, shaking his hand firmly.

“Now, tell me how your farrier training’s going,” he says.

I relax into the couch, glad to have a momentary distraction from orchestrating the most important moment of my life.

“It’s going great. I’m over halfway done with the program. I’ll get my certificate around the time Delilah graduates from college.”