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Her heart soared with every stride.
Two hours later, she turned Rex loose in his paddock. “The dust and sweat on my body have their own layers of dust and sweat.” She still wasn’t sure her feet had touched the ground.
Grayson looked across the gate at her. Smiled, something satisfied and thoughtful. “It’s a good look. Once you got those jitters out, you were fine. I knew you would be.”
There went those butterflies again. Twice he’d told her that—he believed in her. A girl could get used to a cowboy looking at her like that. And she’d be lying if she didn’t admit that Grayson, standing there in those Wranglers and boots, eyes on her, didn’t make her feel all warm inside. She checked her watch. One hour to make it to the church service. It’d be tight. “I’ll see you at church?”
“Umm…” He rubbed his hand across his neck. “Sure. I mean, yes.”
There went more of those flutters in her stomach again.Rein it in.He’d be leaving. And she wasn’t. This was all business.
Oh boy. The horses weren’t the most dangerous part of the job.
six
The after-church potluckcame with oversized pans of homemade macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, casseroles, and a heart-stopping number of other high-calorie treats.
But Grandma hadn’t given him a choice when she’d thrust the basket of croissants at him and ushered him toward the food table.
He’d planned on a low-key Sunday after his early ride with Beth. Family brunch so he could head back to Trinity to check in on Tally.
The little mare had heart and some serious trust issues—and she probably needed a chiropractor too. Her body and behavior told a story. The white marks over her shoulders, scars and scabs on her legs. Someone had ridden her hard, and she wasn’t so sure she wanted to be close to anyone anymore.
It had only caused her pain.
Oh, he got that.
He rubbed the tightness in his chest. He hadn’t been hurt by others, but he knew the excruciating kind of pain that came from getting close. Trusting everything could be okay.
Even today’s sermon on James couldn’t convince Grayson to consider it pure joy to face trials. Nope. He had plenty of perseverance, thank you very much.
Still, the words challenged him.
Pastor Dan’s words rattled around in Grayson’s head.
Genuine faith perseveres in trials. Roots itself in steadfastness.
Maybe his faith was less firm than he’d hoped.
He wove through the fellowship hall, delivered the croissants like a Pony Express rider, and kept moving until he found a quiet spot at the far wall. He leaned against it and closed his eyes.
That was probably a mistake, because all he could see was Beth’s face during their ride. The bright sparks in her eyes and smile on her lips when she’d finally brought Rex down to a walk and she rode beside Grayson and Maverick, cooling the horses out.
She may have been away from riding for a very long time, but anyone watching could tell how much she loved it. The eagerness, the smile that never faded. The satisfied sigh when she finally slid to the ground.
Quiet Beth had a fire inside her—and he didn’t even think she knew it.
He’d searched for her during church but had only caught a glimpse of her on the other side of the sanctuary during the service.
“Are you going to get in line for food or hold up the wall?” Dylan’s voice intruded into Grayson’s thoughts.
He opened his eyes. Dylan, Marie, and Eli stood in front of him. Marie’s pale blonde hair had been cut short. Super short. She’d lost a bit of weight, but her blue eyes still landed on him with a bright smile that creased the corners.
“Probably the wall,” Grayson answered.
Marie shook her head, still smiling. “Hey, you. It’s been a long time.” She handed a glass dish of potato salad to Dylan and wrapped her arms around Grayson.
So many hugs in this town.
