Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
But then, there are other times—times when we barely speak, when the weight of this strange arrangement feels too heavy, and I wonder if I’m pretending too hard.
Joey’s still waiting for an answer, his eyes filled with the quiet patience that only years of ranch work can instill. I can’t tell him all of this, though. I can’t unravel the complicated knot inside me, not now.
So, I lie.
“It’s going great,” I say, forcing a smile. “Easy peasy.”
Joey raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it entirely, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he pats Buddy’s side gently and gives me a knowing look. “Well, you let me know if you ever need to talk, okay?”
I nod, grateful for his understanding but also more confused than ever about how to navigate this whole situation. As Joey leaves to continue his work, I stay with Buddy, my hands resting on his neck, silently wondering what "easy peasy" would actually feel like.
Everything with Buddy worked out, which was a huge relief. After a full exam from Dr. Mike, it turned out that Buddy had a small piece of wood lodged under his horseshoe. Once Dr. Mike removed it and adjusted the shoe, Buddy instantly perked up, regaining his usual energetic self. By the time I checked on him before heading inside for the day, he was galloping around the field like nothing had ever been wrong.
Cory had picked up my slack while I dealt with Buddy, for which I was thankful, but the rest of my day still felt endless. I noticed a section of the fencing that needed repairs on my way back to the house, which means that tomorrow morning will start early, just like today.
By the time I finally got inside, I was wiped out. A long, hot shower was exactly what I needed. The hot water washed away the grime, the tension, and the lingering stress of the day, rejuvenating me in the way only a shower after a hard day can. Now, freshly showered and in nothing but my bra and panties, I’ve cranked the music up and pulled out my blow dryer.
It’s been so long since I let loose like this—just me, my music, and some much-needed self-care. I sing loudly over the hum of the blow dryer, belting out every note of my favorite songs as I run the dryer over the last damp strands of my hair. The last time I had a moment like this was years ago when my dad had gone out of town for a few days.
I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and smile. "Not bad for almost thirty," I murmur, appreciating the toned lines of my body. I don’t need a fancy workout routine—my entire life is one long workout. Between the ranch work and all the lifting, hauling, and running around, my body has stayed in shape naturally, and I’m grateful for that.
As the song changes, one of my all-time favorite tracks comes on, and something inside me shifts. A wave of energy rushes through me, and suddenly, I’m dancing. My hips sway in time with the beat, my body shaking loose as I sing at the top of my lungs, spinning around the room. It feels so good to let go, to embrace this rare freedom and let the stress melt away. I haven’t felt this carefree in ages, and I don’t care if anyone can hear me. This moment is mine.
I’m mid-spin, laughing and twirling, when I smack right into something solid. Or, rather, someone.
Callum’s large hands are suddenly on my arms, steadying me before I fall, and I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. My heart races, not just from the shock of colliding with him but from the sudden awareness of how close he is. His hands are warm on my skin, firm but gentle, and the feel of his touch sends an unexpected jolt through me.
I stare up at him, wide-eyed, completely caught off guard by his presence. I have no idea how long he’s been standing there or how much of my ridiculous dancing he’s seen. The heat rises in my cheeks as I realize just how little I’m wearing.
My stomach flips, and for a moment, we just stand there, the music still playing in the background, but all I can focus on is him. His hands, his eyes, the way my body is reacting to him being so close.
I should step back. I should pull away. But I don’t. Instead, I stand there, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and something else I can’t quite name.
Callum’s eyes hold mine for a beat longer than usual, and something unspoken hangs in the air between us. It’s charged, heavy with an unfamiliar tension, and suddenly I’m hyper-aware of the fact that I’m standing half-naked in front of him.