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Chuckling, I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her into my chest. “I like that y’all are close. Hopefully, someday, I can have that with her, too.”
Tripp comes sprinting on Mallory’s horse and frowns. “Jesus Christ. He’s gonna need a bath.”
I smirk. “Hope you brought your rain boots.”
“Fuck you. This is supposed to be your shift, not mine.”
“He got loose on your watch,” I remind him.
“Whatever.” He finally darts his gaze to Laney. “You must be Ayden’s secret lady friend Wilder won’t shut up about. I’m Tripp.”
“Nice to meet you,” Laney replies.
“You got this handled now?” I ask.
“Yeah, yeah.” He digs his heel and leads Miss Swift toward Disco. Tripp manages to wrap a rope around his neck and bring him closer as he rides out of the pasture.
“He can bring him back on his own?” Laney asks.
“As long as Disco doesn’t fight it, he’ll be fine. I should lock that gate, though.”
We hop back on the four-wheeler and drive to the open fence. Once it’s secure, I ask Laney if she’s tired.
“Yeah, I think I should probably go back to my hotel room. It’s been a long day.”
She flew in this morning and spent the afternoon with me, so I don’t blame her, but I selfishly want to spend more time with her.
“I’ll drop you off at your car. You’ll come back tomorrow?”
“Sure, but I have to leave before lunch to make my flight.”
I hate that she can’t stay longer, but I understand she has our daughter and a job to get back to.
And Howie’s funeral.
I bring us to my truck and then drive her back. We make small talk, and when we’re in the parking lot, neither of us moves to get out.
“Thank you for comin’ to find me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again,” I admit.
She doesn’t meet my eyes. “Truthfully, I wasn’t sure I would either. I was scared you wouldn’t want to.”
Leaning over, I tilt up her chin until our gazes collide. “I’m sorry I ever made you believe that, but now that you’re back in my life, I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure something out so I can come down to visit, and when it’s feasible, I’ll fly you two up here. Okay?”
She bites down on her bottom lip, nodding.
“Meet me for breakfast? I’ll be here at nine.”
My break isn’t until eleven thirty, but I’ll get one of the guys to cover for me.
“That works.”
I brush my mouth against her cheek, silently wishing she’d turn an inch so I could taste her lips, but when she doesn’t move, I lean back. “Night, Laney. Drive safe.”
“G’night, Ayden.”
She jumps out and walks to her rental car. The scent of her coconut shampoo lingers in the air, and I inhale deeply at the familiarity. Once she’s inside and buckled, she gives me a little wave, and I almost instinctively honk my horn three times but then stop myself. I take that as my cue to drive off before I do something stupid.
ChapterFour
