AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ma.” Grady distracted her from that line of talk by sliding the envelope her way. “Don’t forget your card.”
“Right. My card.” She pushed the flap back and pulled it out. As her eyes moved over the words Grady had written, they filled with tears. “Oh, son. Thank you.” She leaned over and kissed him.
After the cake, Ellen insisted Grady show Tinsley around.
“I’m not sure she’s interested, Ma.”
“Of course, I am. I want to see those horses.”
“Wonderful. Why don’t you two go for a ride? It’s a beautiful day. Take her down to the creek.”
Grady looked at Tinsley. “You up for a ride?”
“Sure. Though, I’ve never ridden a western saddle.”
“You’ll be fine. Come on.”
Grady saddled them both a horse.
“What are these? Quarter horses?”
“Yes, ma’am. Don’t worry. That’s Sally, and she’s sweet as pie.”
He led her around the outbuildings and down a trail into some tall pecan trees. It was cooler in the shade, and Tinsley loved it, even though her legs felt weird hanging in the low stirrups. Sally wasn’t nearly as big as Pharaoh.
After a bit, Grady reined up, and Tinsley stopped next to him. He extended his arm, leaning toward her. “See that?” he whispered. “It’s a fox. I’ve seen her around with some kits. Three of them.”
She pointed off about twenty feet. “There they are.”
“Yup. Whole family.”
They watched until the animals ran off, then Grady looked over at Tinsley, raising his reins slightly. “The creek’s that way. Race ya.” He heeled his horse in the sides and off he went.
Tinsley laughed and tore off after him. He held her off on the trail, but when they broke through to a clearing, she sailed past him, leaning over Sally’s neck.
They came to the creek, and both pulled up, the horses stopping quickly and blowing and snorting.
“I beat you!” Tinsley jabbed a finger toward him. “You cheated, too.”
“Me? No way.” He dismounted, and so did she. He took both the reins and tied the horses to a tree.
Tinsley sat on the ground and picked up a stick, snapped it in two and tossed it in the water. “It’s pretty here. Do you own this land?”
Grady sat beside her. “Yes, ma’am. From the house to another fifty yards beyond where we’re sitting. Eighty acres all together.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I was thinking of building right over there. It’s got the best view.”
She searched his eyes and could see the excitement in them when he talked about the land. “What you do for a living… it isn’t all bodyguard work, is it?”
“Nope.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“It can be.”
“Tell me about it.”
