Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
GEORGIA
“Are you sure he’s going to be okay?” Luke asks.
“He’ll be fine.” I wave off his concerns.
“He’s old and never ridden a horse before.”
“Hey, I heard that,” Grant quips.
“You look nervous,” Luke points out.
“How do I look nervous?” Grant asks.
I try to stifle my laugh, but it’s hard. “You don’t need to walk so awkwardly. You haven’t even been on the horse yet.”
“It’s only because I love you that I’m doing this,” he says.
I smile. It’s only been a week since we first said it to one another, but Grant tells me how much he loves me any chance he can get. Hearing him say it in front of Luke makes a blush creep up my cheeks. But he’s too focused on his phone.
“Who are you texting?” Grant asks.
“Mom.” Luke shrugs his shoulder. “She said I could come stay over Thanksgiving break.”
“That’s great,” Grant says. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”
“Yeah, I think so too.” Luke stuffs his phone into his pocket. “Now, stop stalling, Dad.”
“I still don’t know how I let you talk me into this,” he gripes.
“Because I told you it’d be fun,” Luke says. “And you can never say no to Georgia.”
I beam up at Grant, who is shaking his head.
“Yeah, yeah. If I fall off, I’m blaming you two.”
“You won’t fall off. Queenie is the best, and Luke is going to walk around with us. He can catch you in case you fall.”
“You just said I wouldn’t fall!” His voice echoes around the quiet barn.
For a Sunday, it’s empty. With school back in session, the ranch has a few slow weeks until the snow starts. Then all the winter sports enthusiasts come to town.
“It’s just a precaution,” I say. “Don’t throw yourself off Queenie, and you won’t fall.”
“C’mon, Dad. Don’t be a chicken,” Luke goads him.
“Wow. Getting called out by my son.”
“I’ll kiss any boo-boos you might get.” I bat my lashes at him. “Now stop stalling and get up there.”
“Wow, what a tough crowd.” Grant swings one leg over Queenie and settles into the saddle. “How is this comfortable?”
“It’s better for me.” I smile up at him as I adjust the stirrups for him.
“You’ve also been doing this for years,” he says.
“Dad, you’ll do fine,” Luke cheers him on from behind me. “It’s fun once you get used to it.”
“Only for you, Cowgirl,” he whispers.
“Thank you. If I didn’t have to worry about fly balls, you know I’d be trying out baseball with you.”
“After this baby comes, I will hold you to that.”
I rub Queenie’s neck as Grant shifts once again to get comfortable.
“Tell me when you’re ready,” I say.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
“Luke, you can walk on the other side of him and I’ll make sure Queenie sets a good pace for you,” I instruct.
Queenie takes her time, moseying around the ring. Beams of sunlight cut through the open doors as a few of the ranch hands take the other horses out. It’s definitely not the slowest I’ve ever gone, but I’m taking it easy on Grant. I don’t want to scare him off of the thing I love most.
Well, the thing I love second most. Because he is number one now.
“Am I doing okay?” he asks.
“You’re doing great,” I encourage.
“Yeah, Dad. The best rider in the world,” Luke pipes up from the other side.
“Seriously, when did you get so sarcastic?” Grant asks.
“I think when I became a teenager,” he says.
“Does that mean you’ll grow out of it when you’re no longer a teenager?”
Luke snorts. “You’ve got a long time to go before that, Dad.”
“Goodie,” Grant jokes.
I love how much more open Luke has been lately, not only with Grant, but with me.
Luke has been out here to ride several times now, and as I always say, it’s the power of the horses. Without them, I’m not sure Luke would be feeling so settled in Pinecrest.
“Can I be done?” Grant asks.
“Sure. I won’t make you keep going if you don’t want to,” I say.
I lead Queenie back around to help Grant get down. He’s adjusting his pants, no doubt uncomfortable from the ride.
“I love you, Cowgirl, but I don’t know if horseback riding is for me.” Grant drops a quick peck on my mouth.
“That’s okay. I appreciate you trying.”
“You know what you should give him?” Luke asks.
I try to hide my smirk, but I know what he’s getting at. “What’s that?”
“One of the plastic cowboy hats you give the kids when they first ride.” He snickers.
“Seriously?” Grant rolls his eyes at him.
“I could even write number one cowboy on it for you,” Luke says.
I can’t help it. I burst out laughing. Luke doubles over next to me as Grant gives me a subtle finger.
“You two suck, you know that?”
“I’m sorry.” I wrap my arms around him. “You did great for a first-timer.”
“Which is why you should get a hat,” Luke says again, laughing.
“Who raised you?” Grant laughs. “No respect for your old man.”
“Sorry, Dad. You walked right into it. Now, can we eat? I’m starving.”
“Do you want to ride Queenie before or after?” I ask, shifting in Grant’s arms.
“After. Whatever Rex made smells amazing.”
“Okay. But don’t forget you said you were going to help us with the nursery this afternoon.”
“I know. I have to make sure you don’t pick out anything dumb.”
“As if we would,” Grant says.
I tend to Queenie and send her into the pasture while we eat so she can stretch her legs. Maybe since Luke is a more experienced rider now, he can do a few laps outside.
Luke grabs the picnic basket and spreads the blanket out under the trees. A cool breeze kicks up bright red and orange leaves. Fall has arrived in Pinecrest, and I love it. Everything is cast in a golden hue around the ranch.
Grant helps Luke unbox everything before helping me sit down next to him. I shift around, trying to get comfortable. The closer I get to my due date, the more and more uncomfortable I’ve been getting.
I’m not looking forward to these next few months.
But I’ll take whatever discomfort if it means I get days like this with these two. I absentmindedly rub my belly, dreaming of the days when this little one is here. When the four of us can do this as a family.
More and more, I’m planning our future.
Days spent at the ranch where I—and Luke—can teach this kid to ride.
Watching their dad play baseball and teaching him to play.
Pancakes at the Emporium.
I have so few good memories growing up—the best ones always with the girls—that I can’t wait to make new ones with this family of mine.
“You good, Georgia?”
Grant wraps his large, warm hand around mine, thumb rubbing over my rapidly beating pulse. The way his eyes lock onto mine still does funny things to my insides.
“How could I not be when I’m with my number one cowboy?”