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Noah’s eyes widen with a grin. “TheLaney?”
“Shut up. It’s just Laney.”
My brain squeals at the thought of Ayden talking about me.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, holding out my hand but then realizing how stupid I look when her hands are full.
“Likewise!” She comes closer anyway and shakes it. “Sorry, I’m sweatin’ like a sinner in church. I didn’t know Ayden was bringing a visitor.”
“I surprised him. He didn’t know,” I clarify.
“Oh, how sweet.”
“I’m gonna show her ’round and give her theunfilteredtour of the ranch. Think you can cover for me for a bit?” Ayden asks.
“Yeah, sure. But you owe me!”
“Add it to my tab,” Ayden taunts.
It’s then I realize their relationship isn’t a romantic one. It’s more of a sibling one. Relief washes over me even though I have no reason to feel an ounce of hope. It’s clear he’ll never return to Texas. He’s found a family here.
Ayden takes my hand and leads us down the walkway, talking about a few of his favorite horses and the inside of the tack room. Then we walk into a back room makeshift office, but I can hardly focus with his strong hand enveloping mine.
“It’s not much, but it’s where I make the boardin’ schedules and speak to clients. I also keep track of expenses and payments.”
“It has more personality than your entire house,” I tease. “At least there’s pictures on the walls.”
Most are newspaper clippings and horse photos.
“To be fair, I’m here more than at home.” He shrugs.
Next, we walk out to the pasture. “Is that a goat?”
“That one’s Shelly Belly. Careful, she’s an old, sassy one.”
I step back. “They just roam free?”
“Kinda, but she’s an escape artist. The rules don’t apply to her,” he explains with a shrug.
“What do they do?”
“Graze mostly. Eat up the brush and wild vegetation. It helps control the shrubs. We move them from pasture to pasture.”
When we walk the fence line, one of the horses approaches. “This is Mayberry. She’s a show horse with a strict schedule of eatin’, exercisin’, and jumpin’. Noah works with her every day.”
She nuzzles her nose against his hand.
“I’m surprised she’s allowed to be out here,” I say, remembering what little knowledge I have. The risk of injury is higher when they’re frolicking in a pasture.
“Yeah, it’s why she’s out here alone and only for a short time after trainin’.”
“I bet you’ve learned a lot workin’ here,” I say as we walk back toward the barn.
He chuckles. “More than I could’ve ever wanted to know. Now it feels like second nature.”
“Ayden.” I stop, hoping he’ll do the same. When he faces me, I inhale. “I’m really proud of you. I know I was angry and heartbroken when you left, but it looks like you’ve made a good life for yourself. I’m happy you got the fresh start you wanted.”
He closes the gap between us. “I’m sorry I had to start over without you. Not a day goes by that I haven’t thought about you. Wonderin’ how you were doing. If you were happy and safe. If a man was treatin’ you right. My biggest regret in life was havin’ to walk away from you.”
