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He shook his head and smoothed his hand over Maverick’s coat. “When that storm blew in and I knew they’d gone overboard, I pleaded with God to rescue them.” He shook his head again. “He didn’t.”
She had nothing.
He untied the lead rope. “That was the first time I realized I couldn’t trust God.”
The first?
“I ended up at the camp. I actually didn’t even want to come that first day, but you know—there’s something about the horses.” He lifted a shoulder. “It became easier to dive into work. Keep people at a distance.”
Because what better way to protect his heart than to never get close?
He led Maverick down to the paddock and released him. She watched while the gelding shook out the dust and trotted away to graze.
Grayson grabbed the saddle from the ground and walked past her into the barn. “Want to help flush a wound?”
He’d closed the door on their conversation.
“Sure.”
He stowed the saddle and she followed him into the emergency stall. Tally nickered to her, soft and deep.
“She likes you.”
“We talk a lot. Mostly, she listens to me lament about how ridiculous this plan was.”
“Which plan is that?” He put Tally’s halter on and handed the lead rope to Beth.
“The camp. Being the assistant director.” She palmed her face. “I was serious—I really should have stuck with kayak lessons and library sessions.”
Grayson unwound the self-adhesive bandage wrap. “You’re doing fine—more than fine.” He carefully lifted the Telfa pad from the wound. “It’s good for you to chase after your dreams.”
“There’s so much to do—more than I ever imagined.”
“But you wanted it for a reason, right?” He cleaned Tally’s wound and reapplied ointment.
Beth tore open a fresh bandage and handed it to him. “Sure. I always wanted to work in outdoor recreation somehow. I love being outdoors.”
“I can kind of see that. You always had a book in your hand, but you’d drag it right up into the tree with you.”
She laughed and held out the bandage wrap to him. “I think you and Dylan intentionally sought out bigger and bigger trees, thinking I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—climb them.” As she found the spot on Tally’s withers that she loved to have scratched, Beth could imagine Grayson and Dylan scurrying up the tree from her.
“Seems like you do a lot to help out—not only here, as a job, but the theater. The church. The library and the youth center. I don’t know how there’s enough of you to go around.”
I pleaded with God to rescue them.
Maybe he’d understand more than anyone else.
“I guess I was a little afraid of why my mom left us. Worried it had something to do with me—something I hadn’t done.”
“You can’t look at it that way.”
“It’s hard not to. When someone says they love you, then leaves?”
“Like Lyle?”
“Exactly.” She felt herself blush. “He chose a job over me. Just like my mom chose living her ‘best life.’ Which didn’t include kids or a husband.”
“They don’t deserve you,” he said, giving her a crooked smile. “Look at all you’re doing here, though.” He picked up the old bandages and wrappers.
