13. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Grayson
I t’s been two weeks since I met Dr. River Thompson, and fuck, I don’t know what to do with myself.
I’m the type that’s a hopeless romantic, but also won’t date someone unless there’s a potential future. It’s why Stacy was the only long-term relationship I’ve had as an adult.
Life is too short to waste their time or mine.
As thoughts of my former relationship flit through my mind, my temper rises. Tate had been dead set on driving a wedge between me and Stacy. To him, I’d spent too much time fawning over her and not enough practicing or being at his beck and call for the family farm. He said I wasn’t focused when Stacy came to watch me at the ranch. The fact that I built my house with the thought of children in mind was a setup for a letdown.
In the end, Stacy left me. She was too scared every time I rode. I was too stubborn and not a good enough listener when it came to her needs. I couldn’t put her first between work, my animals, riding, and building the house. A house that she wanted to be white, not black.
Maybe Tate had been right, but to me, he’d been the one there planting that shit in Stacy’s mind. And from what I hear, he’s been bitching about me and River, too. I can’t let him ruin this one for me.
River is the first person to see me for who I am, separate from my brother, and appreciate me. She makes me feel good and like I want to be better. That woman makes me even consider mending whatever this bullshit is with Tate occasionally.
I’ve barely seen her for more than five minutes since Monday, when I went in for my repeat X-ray. Supposedly, I’m healing up okay, but it’s not as fast as I want—a product of wearing the splint sporadically but not religiously.
Tonight is one of the few Fridays of the season without events—no showcases, classes, or competitions. The place will be dark and quiet for a few short hours.
For me, that means a much-needed night off. There’s nothing in this world I would trade for everything I do at Boulder. Not the lessons, or helping the ranch hands, or the pickup riding, or attempting to conquer every bull they put me on. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t exhausted. My days still begin and end with my own rescues, and I still work as a tech three to four times a week, traveling to different farms, ranches, and houses when needed.
Tonight should be a night of freedom for me and the woman who has me in this chokehold. The hold so tight I can only breathe in her presence when her skin finally meets mine.
Pulling up her drive, her house sits dark.
I’d expected her to be here. She confessed she doesn’t hang out with many people anymore, and after a long work week, she’s often too exhausted to do much.
Pulling up her contact information on my phone, I don’t hesitate to call her. Maybe I am being a bit stalkerish, but I just want to see her.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me. Uh, Gray.”
“Oh, hey!” Her voice rises several octaves, the sound of utensils hitting pots and pans clanging in my ear. “Sorry. What’s up?”
“Uh, I’m at your house. Are you home?”
“Oh… No, I’m not.”
I try not to let jealousy course through me. She doesn’t have to tell me what she’s doing twenty-four-seven or who she’s with. I’ve never been that guy. But the pull to become him is strong when I think about River.
No one else should get her laughter or her smile, or the way she sighs when she finds her happy place. Contentment that washes over her when she’s talking about surgeries or cows.
“Oh, Okay. Uh…”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a day. Long surgeries this afternoon. I forgot to tell you I was going to cook for Gran before I came over.”
As if lightning strikes my spine, I immediately sit up straighter. “Do you want some help?”
She goes quiet, her breathing the only noise from the other end for long, treacherous moments. “I think I would.”
It’s seconds before River sends me the address, and I’m backing out of her drive, flying down the road like a bat out of hell.
Her grandmother’s house is less than ten minutes from hers, a convenience she once mentioned to me since she was the only member of her family who stayed to look after her. Well, the only one who came back after they all abandoned Cole County.
My boots clap against the wooden steps up to the front door. The planks bowing beneath my weight, the higher I climb. Bouncing to test the last one, it’s clear there are only a few more trips left before the thing caves, and one of them ends up hurt. A quick fix I can do tomorrow after tending to the ranch.
Knocking lightly, shuffling feet sound behind the door. An elderly woman with dark gray hair and vibrant green eyes greets me. Her complexion is similar to River’s, but their features are startlingly different. I would never guess they were related if I didn’t know better.
“Oh. You’re a handsome one. Rugged.”
A flush creeps up my neck. Leave it to my girlfriend’s grandmother to make me blush. “Hi, ma’am. Grayson Garrison.”
Stretching out my hand, she takes it, giving me one firm shake. Handing her the bouquet I picked up for River, she waves me off. “You didn’t bring those for me, so don’t pretend you did. My granddaughter might like those, but I prefer chocolates.”
I can only laugh as she leads us into the house, straight to the kitchen, where River is working between various pots and pans.
The house is cozy, decorated in hunter green and cream. A place that I would consider homey, unlike mine and River’s houses. Every wall displays pictures of the family: smiling and toothless children, adventures, nights at the rodeo, and Christmas day. It’s impossible to take each one in, but it’s easy to spot River with her being the only girl.
“Ginger, your beau is here. You didn’t tell me he came with all these muscles.”
“Gran!” River warns, spinning around to face us. “Gray, I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Just let me know if muscles aren’t your thing. I’ll ditch them in a heartbeat.”
River shakes her head, wiping her hands on a dishcloth before making her way to me. There’s no hesitation as her arms wrap around my neck, her mouth pressing to mine. The kiss is brief as our bodies rock together. “I missed you this week.” Her words barely above a whisper.
“I missed you, too, baby. But why don’t we focus on the cooking for now?”
“Don’t stop on my account,” River’s grandmother snorts, returning to crocheting what looks like a miniature sweater.
“Gran,” River groans, dropping her forehead to my chest. “Please behave tonight.”
“Hmm, you must be talking to your other grandmother. Oh wait, I’m it. I think I’ll continue making the boy blush. How is he going to watch you give birth if he can’t handle compliments?”
“Adelle Edna Thompson! Please, for the love of all that is holy, stop.”
Her grandmother only waves her off, continuing with her business while River takes several deep breaths through her nose.
“Boss, don’t worry about it. I’ve watched hundreds of cows give birth. I won’t pass out.”
I can only hope the joke lands as River just stares at me before bursting into tear-inducing laughter. “Okay, well, let’s move on from the birthing talk and cook before I burn everything.”
And my heart instantly settles. Not only did I just meet the most important person to the woman I am head over heels for, but it went well.
It’s an hour before we’ve finished cooking the two different meals River prepared. The two of us moved through the kitchen like a well-oiled unit. I’ve never cooked with anyone before. With Stacy, it was always me cooking for her because I thought it would make her feel special. Looking back, I’m not sure if it did or not.
“Gran pasta or roast?”
“Which one gets me a view of your beau’s bum again?”
“Gran!” River groans. “Please stop objectifying, Gray. His ego is big enough.”
River tucks her lips into her mouth, stifling her laughter.
Perfect white teeth sink into her bottom lip when I pull her into me. The brush of my lips over the shell of her ear sending a shiver through her body. “Boss, you’re going to pay for that tonight. Just wait until I get you home.”
“Home?”
Her eyes search mine. It’s clear I meant my house. The place seemingly cozier with her there.
“Yeah. My house. You know, with the horses and cows?”
“Okay.”
Her smile is sheepish, slipping out of my hold to prep our plates with generous slices of roast, carrots, potatoes, and broccoli.
Carrying our plates into the dining room, her grandmother is already there waiting for us, a large glass of whiskey or bourbon in front of her.
“What? I’m old, not dead,” she huffs, taking a gulp.
And all at once, I can’t wait for a lifetime of nights like this.