Chapter 27 #2
“World is full of hurt, Colt.” I moved so I could hold his gaze. We both knew that all too well, and I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.
“True. I can’t protect you from all hurt.” Colt’s nose wrinkled like the admission had a bitter taste. “But I can warn Jude not to add to it.”
“I won’t.” Jude nodded his head with almost comical sincerity. “I want Carson happy.”
“See to it.” Colt gave another wave of his tongs.
“Okay, Sheriff Scary.” Adler came bustling out with a large empty platter. “What’s the status on the meat?”
“I’m not being mean.” Colt made an indignant noise. “Much.”
“We’re good.” I tried to beam that message directly to Colt’s overprotective soul.
“Excellent.” Adler grinned. The conversation moved on to brisket and bratwursts.
More family arrived shortly, and the afternoon drifted into evening with way too much food, but it was more fun than I’d expected.
Turned out, I kind of liked showing off Jude.
For his part, Jude got more comfortable as the dinner wore on.
I waited until he was in a long conversation about horse lineage with Grayson before going to help my mom and aunts put away the food.
However, partway to the kitchen area, Maverick snagged my arm, tugging me into the dining room instead.
“I’ve got something for you.” Maverick handed me a thick white envelope full of papers.
“What’s this?” The envelope had a weight to it I wasn’t sure I liked. My back stiffened, and my neck prickled.
“Ownership papers.” Maverick tapped the envelope. “For Linus.”
I handed the envelope right back. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” Maverick’s eyes were sincere enough, but I stayed tense as he continued, “You’ve worked a lot of off-the-clock hours with Linus, and you’ve invested your own money in his recovery.
Seems only fair that you get to keep him.
Plus, you’re a cowboy now. Grayson says every cowboy needs his own horse. ”
“He may not ride again.” If Grayson and Maverick were thinking Linus could be a workhorse, they were liable to be disappointed.
“That matter to you?” Maverick tilted his head, gaze more speculative.
“Hell no.” I stamped my heel into the rug for emphasis. Another thought crept in. Maybe Linus was a negative on the ranch balance sheet. Didn’t want his place in jeopardy. “I can pay his board.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Maverick held the envelope out again. “Keep his stall mucked and talk to Kat about his feed needs. I assume you’ve got vet care covered.”
“Reckon so,” I drawled as Jude strode into the dining room. “Mav wants to give me Linus.”
“Good idea.” Jude gave a broad smile. Too broad.
“Did you know about this?” I demanded, shifting my attention from Maverick to Jude.
“Nope.” Jude held up his hands. “But Maverick’s got the right idea. You’ve put the hours in. And he’s bonded to you. He’s your horse whether or not you have paperwork.”
“Yeah.” Afraid my eyes might start leaking, I gave a tight-lipped nod.
Maverick frowned. “If you don’t want the responsibility—”
“I want.” I snatched the envelope back. “Thank you.”
“The change in Linus truly is remarkable.” Maverick drew me into a fast hug before releasing me. “He’s like a whole different horse.”
“Same horse,” I corrected. Same me, but I didn’t need to add that part.
“Oh.” Maverick would make a lousy poker player. His eyes moved like he was playing a game of connect the dots before he swallowed hard. “Of course. He’s the same horse. You’ve given him a chance to show us who he really is.”
“Just needed a chance.” My voice came out too thick to continue. I hoped Maverick knew how grateful I was to him and Colt for my own chance. I’d found a home here. Found myself here. Found a way to stop hiding and start living.
“Yeah.” Maverick pulled me into another hug, and we smacked each other on the back like that might cover up our liquid eyes. “You’ll always have a place here, Carson.”
“Thanks.” Breathing deeply, I stepped back.
“You going to go tell Linus?” Maverick’s voice was playful, but his more serious expression said he knew how badly I wanted an excuse to go steady myself.
“Might as well.” I looked past him toward the back door.
“Go on.” Maverick shooed Jude and me away, and mercifully, no other relatives stopped us.
“You need a minute?” Jude asked once we were out on the deck. “We don’t have to go to the barn. We can sit out here or head over to my place.”
“Wanna tell Linus.” My neck heated something awful. “Silly. But I do.”
“It’s not silly.” Jude grabbed my hand and led the way to the horse barn. I made my way to Linus’s stall. In direct contrast to his first weeks at the ranch, he came right over and nudged my hand.
“Reckon you’re mine now.” My voice came out rougher than a hay bale. “You’re safe here.”
“You are too.” Jude gathered me into a tight hug from behind. “Maverick’s right. You’ll always have a home here. And with me.”
“With you?” I was going to make him say the words. I leaned into his embrace, letting my head fall back on his shoulder.
“With me.” Jude kissed the side of my head. “I love you.”
“No might?” I teased.
“No might.” Jude tilted forward for an awkward kiss on my mouth. Emotion swirled between us, a desert windstorm bringing the future I’d never seen coming. I moved so I could kiss him for real. Jude cupped my face in his hands. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” I put my all into the kiss.
I’d use every bit of determination I’d brought to my military career to make this thing between us permanent.
Secure. A future stretching out like the Colorado landscape Jude and I so loved.
Like any path worth traveling, it wouldn’t be easy.
We both had work to do. Making the rank I had in mind would take time, but the payoff would be more than worth it.