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We start walking back past the fenced pens toward the barn. “Okay, I’ll do that. Which reminds me, we need to get our phones from the saddles.”
After we collect them, we go our separate ways—her toward the homestead and me back to my cabin. Thoughts of Delilah invade my mind—her beautiful blonde hair, wet and stuck all over her face. I laugh at the memory. Her soft touch and skin I want to trace my fingers across so much, and her bright blue eyes that pierce me right through the chest.
Everything about her is breathtaking, and I want to spend more time with her. She’s right, I’ll be leaving. And where will that leave us? I’m not sure I can walk away from her, though. That sounds so crazy. Maybe it’s the fact we have some understanding of each other about our deceased loves. Although this Eli guy—I wish I could’ve read between the lines a year ago when I first met Delilah.
Could I have helped her out of the situation she was in? Probably not—not in the state I was in after losing Anna-Beth. I could hardly handle the girls or my own turmoil at the time. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that we’ve been brought together now to possibly help each other, and not for any other reason, at a time when we’re both finally ready to give and receive it.
It’s crazy how the world works. I walk past the small barn where I know she’ll be working in a little while. My chest surges with excitement at the thought of seeing her again. Will she want me to come and talk to her? I’d be interested in seeing how she does what she does with the horses. It amazed me seeing her work with Butter and Claire. I need to make a few phone calls and start a program or something for special needs kids in Formula One. They all have different passions, and I’d love to show support for them. Something needs to change.
My phone sounds off with a message. I take a look and can’t help my grin.
Delilah:Thanks for a fun morning. It was something I desperately needed but didn’t realize it.
Delilah has had it rough by the sounds of it, and if Eli were still alive, she probably wouldn’t be here—back in her home—with her family. It sounds like he took her freedom from her, and that breaks my heart. Now, it seems like she’s trying to find her feet again, and I’m all for helping her do that.
I type a quick reply.
Sebastian:It’s my pleasure. I enjoy spending time with you. It’s been a while since I took care of me and being here at the ranch and meeting you has made a world of difference.
Delilah:I know what you mean. It’s been Olive and me for the last six months, and before that, I didn’t do anything for myself. I hardly left the house.
Sebastian:Why didn’t you go out? Didn’t you have friends or a job?
Delilah:No and no. Eli made sure of that. Plus, I hated leaving the house in case I ran into someone, and I sometimes had visible bruises. I couldn’t do the judgment. I’ve never told anyone what I’ve told you about Eli. Like I said, he wasn’t a great guy.
Sebastian:I’m sorry you went through all of that. If I could take some of that pain away from you, I would, gladly. No one should feel as you did. I’m glad you’re comfortable talking with me. I’m all ears and ready to listen. Anytime.
Delilah:Thanks. Now I need to figure out a way to get these wet jeans off.
Sebastian:If you need help, give me a call. LOL!
Delilah:I’m sure I can manage.
She puts a winking emoji at the end of her message, and I laugh. I trudge up the few steps and unlock my cabin. It’s so weird to be alone and in an empty home. The girls are a big piece of my days now, and I’m usually having a shower when I know they’re asleep at night.
Stripping down and after having to wriggle my way out of my jeans, I step into the steaming-hot water. Knowing Delilah is doing the same shoots want through me. What if I could see her doing that at the end of the day? What if I could see her perfect body every day?
I mentally slap myself.
Time to get my head out of the clouds.
I’ll be leaving soon.
TYING MY HAIR IN Amessy bun, I make my way out of my room and go to head down to the kitchen and get some lunch before going to the horses. My feet stop in front of the library door. The desire to clear this room out is overpowering, but my heart isn’t ready for it. After hearing how Dad looks at this room, it frightens me to open the door again. His theory isn’t wrong, but I want Olive to love spending time with me in this room as much as I loved spending time in there with Mom.
Turning away, I continue downstairs and along the hall to the kitchen, where Sybil, Odette, and Devon are sitting at the table with a plate full of sandwiches in the middle of them.
“Hey, Dee,” Odette greets me in her higher-than-normal people voice.
“Hey, Odette. What’s for lunch?” I ask.
“Sandwiches. Do you want one? We’ve made heaps,” Sybil answers. I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator and take a seat with them while snatching up half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I take a bite and groan. “I haven’t had one of these in such a long time. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. And this tastes so good.”
“We have it all the time,” Odette offers as she picks up another half.
“That sounds yummy. What have you guys been up to today?”
