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“Trap and I figured the town could use us since we had experience in the big city. It’s a good job.”
I blinked, at a loss for words.What in the hell is going on here? How can being gay be their job?
“So….” I drawled. “You’re here from the big city to offer your… expertise, and then you’ll leave for the next small town?”
I glanced down at the wine. Maybe it was laced, because none of this conversation was making any sense.
“No, we’re here in Grandger to stay.”
“And these people, in this small Texas town, don’t mind your ‘job’?” What that job entailed was intriguing. I mean, a job being a gay man… why weren’t more flocking to this haven?
Shade’s brows dipped. “No. Do you?”
“Me?” I squeaked, pointing at my chest. “What? No. I’m one hundred percent good with it. It’s your life choice. I’m very supportive of the community.”
Shade and Grayson slowly turned to face each other, their confusion clear on their faces.
Same, fellas. Same.
Before I could ask more questions about this, what I could only assume was some kind of influencer-type job, movement outside drew my gaze out the window. Walking side by side, Anne and Gracie were on their way to the house. A smile I hadn’t seen on Gracie’s face in far too long bunched her cheeks. My own smile grew, loving that she was happy.
Though the moment she saw me watching, her smile fell, and the annoyed look I’d been graced with lately was firmly back in place.
Taking another gulp of wine, I placed my back to the window, hoping she didn’t see how much her annoyance with me hurt. Their voices filtered down a back hall, followed by footsteps. Anne appeared first, then Gracie carrying the kitten in the same blanket Shade had it wrapped in earlier.
Anne’s eyes narrowed on my glass. “You started without me?” she chided. Grabbing the wine bottle from the counter, she gave the liquid a shake, inspecting the contents before tipping the bottle back. After polishing off the remaining wine, she wiped a hand across her lips. “The kitten is healthy. He’s a little skinny but healthy. You plan to keep him at the farm?”
Shade shrugged.
“A man of only so many words.” Anne laughed. “I’m sure if Trap has his say, you’ll be keeping him. Give it a few weeks before you allow him out there on his own. He’s still too small yet.”
“He?” I questioned, taking a step closer to Gracie.
“Yep. What do you want to name him?” Anne asked, gaze jerking between me and Gracie.
I looked to Shade, who again shrugged. Anne was right; he was a man of only so many words. Though he’d talked to me earlier in the truck, even though it was strained.
“Midnight,” Gracie said, bringing the black ball of fur to her face and giving it a little nuzzle. “Or Misery.”
I blanched.How depressing.
As if he could sense I was about to start World War III by telling Gracie to choose a different name, Shade spoke up, stopping me.
“We should go.” He pushed off the counter and came to stand beside me. I tipped my face up to his in confusion. “We need to run by the general store to get supplies for the cat. Then I’ll drop you two off before heading to the farm for a bit.”
“Hey, I also wanted to let you know Grace here is invited back whenever she wants.” Anne shot her a conspiring wink. “She offered to help muck out stalls and do chores for an hour or more of riding the horses.”
My mouth popped open.
My daughterofferedto do chores.
I held back the urge to reach out and feel her forehead to see if she had a temperature. That was the only explanation. Or she was going slightly insane like me.
Neither was ideal.
“I can bring her by tomorrow on my way to work,” Shade offered.
“Really?” Gracie exclaimed, that light and happiness I’d caught a glimpse of earlier back in full force.
