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Megan and her husband Cole—last name Barrett—also involved in the Crisis Response Team.
Nope. It was one thing to spend time with his family, but only one week back in town and they were practically painting him into the town mural.
He adjusted his position in a plastic chair, gulped down his tea, and waved away the barbecue smoke that funneled under the backyard umbrella.
Country music filled the space, just loud enough to make Grayson want to climb inside the song and settle into a sunset horseback ride. Alone.
He should be working. Taking care of Tally, repairing broken rope halters, or picking manure out the paddocks.
He scanned the yard for Beth. They’d had a good week working together, despite him spilling his guts on Tuesday.
You must’ve broken more hearts than a country song.
The statement had rattled him. All he’d seen was Harper’s face. Heard the sound of her car tearing out of the drive. Saw her mom’s face.
Beth had left the barn that night by the time he’d ventured out of his apartment to feed the horses, and neither one had brought it up since.
He knew he hadn’t owed her an explanation, but still. Something had compelled him to share it, and maybe there was a little relief in not carrying the burden himself. He wanted her to understand. Harper’s death had turned him inside out. Changed him. And even if he hadn’t quite found solid ground with God, he wanted to be a better man.
Far better than the one he’d been.
And he wanted to believe Beth was right—that maybe, just like Tally, there was hope for him too.
“How’s life at the camp?” Dylan slid into the seat next to him.
“I’m wishing I was still there.” Grayson pushed his plate aside. The mounds of food were mostly untouched. “It’s quiet.”
“You’re a part of this, whether you like it or not.” He lifted his glass toward the chatter and laughter.
Grayson took a drink and watched Marie and Eli take turns on the croquet course that had been set up on the back lawn. “That’s a great kid you’ve got.”
“He’s amazing. He worries about Marie—too much.”
“I’ll bet.”
“We’ll be okay. Marie’s fighting hard and we caught it early.” He hoisted an oversized brownie and took a bite.
“Dad, come on!” Eli called. “I’m playing you next.”
“Duty calls,” Dylan said. He took another bite of brownie. “Wish me luck.” He headed down to the lawn and took the croquet mallet offered by Marie.
Laughter erupted from Vivien’s conversation circle, where Robin was making moony eyes at Sammy.
Beth stood up from one of the card tables set up on the lawn. Her hair was swept into a messy bun, and her big green eyes met his, creased with a smile.
He stifled the twist it caused in his gut.
She disappeared into the house with an empty tea pitcher to refill and returned moments later. Wove her way to a spot where Vivien, her husband Boone, Courtney, Robin, Sammy, and several others sat.
Grandma picked up a casserole dish from the table. “We’re going to start cleaning up. You all take your time.”
“We’ll need to get going soon too.” Megan Barrett stood and folded her chair, as well as the ones the Knights had vacated. They worked to clear out the remaining seats.
Someone turned up the music, and everyone remaining congregated near the dessert table in clusters of conversation.
“Having a good time?” Vivien Buckam nudged Grayson with an elbow.
“Vivie,” Grayson said. Vivien had always been a beautiful woman, but he’d be lying if he didn’t say she looked radiant now.
