33. Chapter 33
Aura
There’s still no reply to my texts when I glance at my phone, and Quint doesn’t answer any of my multiple calls. I even tried Shayla several times, but no one is replying. Alarm bells are screaming in my head, but this time they could be real, and not just my brain going rogue.
Surprisingly, the hat pulled low over my forehead combined with the scrubby clothes and no makeup seems to do the trick. I pass through the airport like a shadow. Just one of many travelers waiting in lines and settling into economy seats.
The only time it gets a little dicey is when the security agent makes me take my hat off to check my ID. She studies my face, double checks the passport, eyes widening slightly. I give her my best pleading look, and finally she nods, telling me I can put the hat back on.
The plane is crowded and uncomfortable, but I pop in some earbuds, slip a mask over my face and listen to an audiobook for the three-hour flight.
There’s a good chance I’ll never be able to recount a single detail about the true crime story, but it provides some level of distraction.
Enough to tone down the racing thoughts about what could be going wrong with Quint or his family, anyway.
I’m on the phone again, calling Quint as soon as the plane’s wheels hit the tarmac, but there’s still no answer.
Balsam Grove is quieter when we pass through than it has been lately.
All the paps know Sav and I have been in Hollywood and filming was on pause for the weekend, so there are only a couple still hanging around the gates of the ranch as we’re driving through.
I duck down as we approach, because I can only imagine what kind of story they’d make up about me if they saw me looking like this.
Even when I’m stressed about Quint, I can’t turn off those thoughts.
I toss a “Thank you” over my shoulder at the driver as I exit the car. The ranch house seems the most logical place to start, so I take off toward it at a run. Quint is close to his family. If something is going on with one of them, they’ll be together. Of that, I’m sure.
I’m out of breath by the time I fly through the unlocked front door. “Quint!” I call out, but the place seems to be empty. Disappointed, I turn to leave.
“Aura?” Shayla appears from the kitchen. She sounds surprised, and I don’t think I can blame her for that, given what I must look like after my frantic journey.
“Shayla, where’s Quint?”
“He’s at the breeding barn. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but how is Quint? What’s wrong?”
She stands there looking confused, so I take a couple steps toward her. “Please, tell me what’s going on with Quint?”
Something seems to register for her at that. “One of mares had a bad foaling. Chipper. We called Quint because she’s important to him. The vet had to perform an emergency C-section. She’s doing okay and her foal is too, but Quint’s down at the barn with them.”
Chipper, right. He told me about her. How important she is to him.
The tension in my shoulders finally eases and the worry begins to dissipate.
He’s okay, his family is okay, the ranch is okay.
But this horse is important to him. He still needs me.
He needs me to be there for him like he’s been there for me since I got here.
He kept my secrets, taught me to ride, and helped me get through my panic attacks.
He’s been there for me at every turn, so I need to show up for him too.
“Thank you.”
“Of course. And Aura, I’m sorry I gave you hard time the first month or so you were here.
” Shayla fidgets, looking somehow both abashed and resolute.
“I was just worried about my brother. He fell for you so fast, and it set off alarm bells. The most important thing in the world to him is this ranch, the horses. I didn’t see any way that the two of you could make it work with your very different lives.
But I never disliked you. In fact, I was a huge fan of Paisley Creek. ”
A tired smile twitches my lips.
“But I can see now I was wrong. Yes, you’re a celebrity and your life is in LA, but you came back early for him. That shows me how much you care. So, if you two think you can make it work, I believe you. Do you think you can forgive me for being a bit of a bitch?”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to forgive.
I get it. You were looking out for your brother.
I can appreciate that. Plus, I think we’ve had some time to get over it.
But you missed something—Quint’s family is the most important thing to him.
And I know he’s felt a little distant from you lately, and it bothers him.
So, maybe we can both get out of our own heads and let him in? ”
One side of her mouth twists up in a wry smile. “I can do it if you can.”
“Deal.” I hold out a hand for a shake, and she wraps her fingers around it, grinning at me.
“Now go look after that boy. He’s going to have a tough time looking after the other girl in his life for the next few days.”
“Will do.”
A pleasant warmth fills the anxious hollow in my stomach at the sight that greets me in the barn.
Quint’s big frame is slumped in a camp chair outside Chipper’s stall door. His dress shirt and tuxedo pants have seen better days, and his head is tilted back, resting against the wall. Small snores are coming from his slightly open mouth.
I peer through the stall door to see the mare standing there, eyes closed, head drooping. Her belly is all wrapped up and significantly smaller than the last time I saw her, which means…
A tiny snort comes from the other side of the mare and then a long-legged baby appears from behind her mom. It’s wild to see the little horse steady on her hooves, snuffling around, at less than a day old.
“Aura?” Caleb walks up beside me, speaking in a low tone as if he doesn’t want to wake his brother.
It’s not so flattering how surprised everyone is to see me. “Hey, Caleb. How’s everyone doing?”
“The horses are doing okay. That fool over there won’t leave the barn though. Won’t even go change out of that penguin suit.”
“Who are you calling a fool?” Quint’s voice is rough from sleep, and I turn to see him blinking at me like he’s not sure he’s actually awake. I don’t think he quite believes I’m real.
“You heard me,” Caleb calls to him. “I told you we’d take shifts.”
He ignores his brother, focusing on me. “Hey, Hollywood. Didn’t expect to see you back here until later today.”
“I was worried.” I step over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, needing the solid reassurance that he’s here and he’s okay. “You should have left me a note. Texted me.”
“I did leave a note. I’d have texted too, but my phone died.”
“Of course it did, you never remember to charge it.” My eyebrows draw together as the first part of his answer registers. “You left a note? Where? I searched my whole house for one.”
He looks sheepish. “Only paper I could find was a takeout menu so I wrote in the margins. I left it on your nightstand because I thought you’d see it that way.”
I had wondered why there was a Chinese menu on my nightstand, but it didn’t occur to me to look for a note on it.
“In hindsight, it wasn’t my best idea,” he says. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. You tried. I just wasn’t paying enough attention. I glance back into the stall. Caleb is in there...”
I glance into the stall, looking from the mare to her foal and back. Caleb is in there with them now, giving them a thorough check. “How’s everyone doing?”
“Well, baby is doing amazing. We were a little worried they might not bond well after that ordeal, but they took to each other as soon as we brought the baby in. Chipper’s a tough gal and a good mom. She’ll pull through. I’ll make sure of it.”
There’s a gentle swoosh, followed by the click of a latch sliding into place as Caleb exits the stall.
“How about you two take next shift? But I’m sending Shayla down in two hours, and you’re both going to take a nap. No arguments.” Caleb glares down at his brother, then turns to me, his voice softening. “You make sure he does.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, saluting him.
Quint waits until his brother’s footsteps have receded down the hall.
“So, he gets a sir, huh? Any chance I might get one of those?”
I swing a leg over his, straddling his lap and leaning down to get up in his face. “Not a chance. And I know that’s not what you want, anyway. But you’re welcome to call me ‘mistress.’”
It’s not the right time, it’s not the right place, but I need to feel his lips on mine, so I give in, planting the softest of kisses on his lips before pulling away and straightening up. It’ll have to do for now.
“Now, are you going to introduce me to the new arrival?”
He finally smiles, and my world feels right again. He’s going to be okay, and I’m going to do my best to make sure we’re okay. Whatever I have to do. I’m willing to work for it.
Quint groans, digging his fingers in the back of his next as he stands up. “I’m going to pay for that little nap.”
“Well, maybe you should have listened to your siblings and taken a break?”
The foal looks up at us with huge brown eyes as we step inside the stall, then walks straight over, nuzzling at my belly. No fear, just curiosity.
Quint slides the door closed behind us. “You’re on their side now? Great. Guess that means I’m never winning an argument again.”
I laugh. “What’s funny is you thought you’d be winning any arguments with me, ever.” I run a hand over the foal’s back as she snuffles at my hoodie. Her coat is soft and fluffy like cotton candy.
“True. All you have to do is look at me with those gorgeous eyes and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
His sleeves are rolled up to reveal tanned forearms thick with wiry muscle.
And even though I’ve been running on nothing but caffeine, adrenaline, and anxiety for the past several hours, something twinges low in my belly at the sight of them.
Especially with the way he’s handling the foal.
Strong but gentle, which is just so him. Everything I love about him.
“Does she have a name?”
“Nope. Haven’t really had time to think of one for her. Any thoughts?”
I lean back against the wall, thinking of the events that led us to this moment. The sass, the riding lessons, the sex, the faking it that was never really faking it. But really, it all comes down to the TV show. My last chance that turned out to be the start of something new.
“You should call her Chance.”
He smiles. “Sounds good, but I think you mean you should call her that. She is yours, after all.”
My mind is already muddled from travel and stress of the day, so I turn to him slowly, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, I told you how things work around here. We all got our own baby to name, raise, and train. And since you named her, she’s yours.”
I look down at the not-so-little baby, something protective unfurling from the shadows inside me. “I can’t. What happens when I have to go back to LA? Or somewhere else for a shoot?”
“I’ll take care of her for you, but I’ll always know you’ve got a reason to come back.”
I didn’t know it was possible for words to melt my heart, but you learn new things every day.
My arms wrap around his waist, head tilting up for another kiss. This one is consuming. His hand drifts up to grip the back of my head and I clutch at his back like I’m afraid of losing him.
The only thing that makes me pull away is the realization that I still haven’t told him the one thing I’ve been meaning to say since I hopped on that plane.
“I love you, Quint. You don’t need to give me a horse to make sure I come back. I’ll always come back to you.”