AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Grayson rubbed his fingers against his temple. Why did Beth have to live in Deep Haven? And wasn’t that just the stupidest thing he’d ever wondered?
Because Beth was the kind of girl who played for keeps. He needed to make sure she stayed squarely in the friend zone. No matter what that crazy coconut, summery smell did to him or how much her smile lit him on fire.
Whoa.
He shook away the thoughts and turned back to the lineup of horses. “Eli may sign up to join us for the rest of the summer.”
She rubbed her hand down Lexi’s roan shoulder. “I kinda don’t blame him.” She wore her camp T-shirt and had her hair down around her shoulders. The sunshine had splashed more freckles across her nose. “What’s not to love?”
Man, she was pretty. The kind of beauty that was so natural it radiated from the inside out. Not just the green of her eyes but the way they lit up with excitement. Not just the ashy light-brown of her hair but the effortless way she wore it.
She never even looked like she had makeup on. He liked her exactly like that. Her lips were the perfect shade of rosy pink…
“Grayson?”
He blinked and shifted his glance. Okay, he’d been staring at her. So much for friend zone. All she had to do was show up and he practically lost his mind.
The arena gate closest to the main drive rattled. Saved by the kids.
The crew piled into the arena, their chatter not even fazing the horses, most of which still stood with a hind foot cocked and their ears drooped.
“We went on the ropes course this morning.” The announcement was made by Sarah, a curly-haired blonde who he’d learned loved to draw horses.
“Jackson was afraid,” Chloe announced.
“Was not,” the dark-haired boy protested.
Grayson held up his hands. “Nothing’s ever wrong with a little healthy fear. Are we ready to ride today?”
Beth stepped up beside him. “Everyone, walk to your assigned horse and wait to be cleared to mount.”
The kids nodded and dispersed. Eli was already standing next to Lexi. Sarah, Chloe, Jackson, Ava, Mason, Ruby, and Aiden all found their horses.
He and Beth worked in tandem, giving the kids a leg up or leading them to the mounting block, as needed.
They rode out through the pine, spruce, and maples. He could hear Beth pointing out the wildflowers. The sunlight sparkled off Mink Lake, and he let the rhythmic sound of hooves against the packed trail soothe his soul.
A bald eagle soared above the lake. “Look at that!” He pointed.
Eli rode behind him. “Oh, cool!”
The response made Grayson laugh. Maybe he already had the best job in the world.
The trail turned away from the lake, and they rode deeper into the woods, the air fragrant with pine and earth mixed with leather and horse sweat.
His radio clicked, and he moved Maverick to the side of the trail, turned in the saddle. He could see Beth at the back of the line, several of the kids out of position.
“Wait here,” he said to Eli.
The trail was too narrow right there for him to ride through.
“She’s got a loose cinch,” Beth called. She nodded toward Chloe’s saddle.
“Serves her right. I hope she falls off.” Jackson pinched his lips into a deep frown. Poor kid. It was never fun to be the one being poked at.
Grayson dropped to the ground and led Mav back toward Eli. He wasn’t positive the horse would ground tie, but he also didn’t think the horse would go far.
He hoped.
