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But this wasn’t a date. Except, somehow it felt like it was when she smiled up at him and answered.
“Sure. That sounds like a lot of fun.”
* * *
Beth hadno business sitting down at the bakery with Grayson after hours. She teased open her cinnamon roll and tore off a bite. The sweet filling melted on her tongue. Okay, it wasn’t a terrible idea. Not at all. “This was an excellent idea.” She looked across the bakery’s café table at Grayson. They’d both scarfed down their sandwiches on the drive over, but there was always room for dessert.
“I think so too,” he answered, giving her a smile from across the table, something she couldn’t read on his face. “We earned this.” He took another bite.
Two weeks ago, Grayson and horseback riding hadn’t been remotely on her radar.
Now? They’d become an integral part of her daily life. She’d do well to remember this was a temporary life.
Then she’d go back to her simple life. The camp would be lonely once he moved out. “I don’t know how I stayed away from riding all these years.” Apparently, all it took was for one capable, handsome cowboy to believe in her, give her a challenge, and encourage her to boost her confidence.
“Having a wreck can shake the confidence. You were young. Sometimes that makes it easier to bounce—when you have the right support.”
She nodded. She’d fallen into the gap after her mom left. Now it was hard to imagine a day without Rex, Maverick, Remington, Lexi, and every other horse at that camp.
Or Tally. Maybe especially Tally.
“You’re really good with the horses and the kids.” His eyes held hers. “I wouldn’t have made it through camp this week without you.”
The compliment landed in her core, a glowing ball of light, filling her with the kinds of hopes and dreams she’d ignored since childhood. The ones that had included finding out she was more than just Dylan’s little sister. More than Bookworm Bethy.
“I don’t think you need me nearly as much as you thought.” She took another bite of cinnamon roll and let the glaze pour over her taste buds.
“I do need you.”
She stopped midbite. Met his eyes across the table.
She’d expected something mischievous, but instead, they held a vulnerability. This wasn’t garden-variety, playful flirting. In the moment, he was unguarded and tender.
A girl could ride off into the sunset in that look.
“Are you two about done?” Robin called from the counter. “I’ve got to go pick up the delivery van from the garage. If you can start boxing all the rolls on the rack, I’d appreciate it.”
Grayson nodded, his eyes pulling away from Beth’s, the cord finally snapped between them. “Yeah. Sure,” he said.
“Thanks. I’ve already locked the front door and turned the sign.”
She had? Beth hadn’t even noticed.
She ate her last bite, hoping Grayson couldn’t see her hand shaking.
“I’ve been doing some brand searches for Maverick.”
He tilted his head. “You have?”
She nodded. She hadn’t had much time to put into it, but she’d saved several websites she’d been gleaning through. “I haven’t found anything yet, but I’m going to keep looking.”
“It’s pretty curious, isn’t it?” He shook his head. “Someone put a lot of time into that horse. It just doesn’t make sense that he was at that camp, sold for hardly anything.”
“Maybe his owner passed away?”
“Could be. Maybe the family didn’t know what he’s worth or know anything about horses.” He stood and piled up their trash, threw it into the nearby can. “Would you ever race again?”
“Barrels?”
