Chapter 50
“Have you seen Connor?” Izzy jumps out of her skin at my question.
“Oh my god, you scared me! Why are you here?” she scrambles.
“What do you mean why am I here?” I chuckle. “I work here. Why are you being weird?”
Izzy looks over my shoulder and back over her shoulder like we’re being stalked.
“I’m not being weird. You’re being weird,” Izzy says.
With her hair grown out, we look like twins again. She kept it short for so many years, I can’t lie and say I didn’t miss looking the same.
“You do realize we’re basically the same person and I can tell when you’re being weird because you’re doing what I’d be doing if I was being weird,” I point out. “Now, have you seen Connor, or not?”
“Shit! I forgot, Reid asked me to run to Clark’s Hardware to pick up something he ordered.” She takes me by the shoulders and marches me towards the cars.
“Would you be a dear and go for me? I have…a call I can’t get out of. Yea. Forgot about that call I have.”
I eye my sister skeptically; there’s clearly something going on.
“I just got here, I wish you would’ve asked me before I left the apartment. I hate to double back.”
“Oh, but you will, won’t you? Text me when you’re on your way back, okay? And text me when you park.” Why’s she so antsy?
“Okay, sissy. Whatever you say.” I kiss her on the cheek and make my way back to town. Maybe I’ll stop by Bean & Brew for a hot chocolate and work on my business plan.
“Hey doll, what are you up to?” Connor rubs his sleepy eyes and kisses my cheek as he joins me at the kitchen island.
He looks divine in only low-slung athletic shorts, but bone-deep exhaustion cloaks his features. I’m so proud of him for how hard he’s working on his farrier apprenticeship and keeping up with his responsibilities at the ranch. But he’s working too hard.
“Just finished framing your farrier certificate and my diploma,” I say, bursting with pride, running my finger along the smooth wooden frames.
“I didn’t know they’d come yet. That’s fucking awesome, baby. Thank you.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide it from you. Mine came first but I wanted to wait for yours to come in the mail before I framed them together. Sorry for being sneaky.”
Connor gets the strangest look on his face. A mix between guilt and panic. “Nothing to apologize for. It’s not sneaky if it’s for a nice surprise, right? Can’t be mad if a person kept secrets to pull off a surprise. Right?” His rambling borders on frantic.
“You’re right. It was worth it to see you happy.” I smile at him, tipping my chin asking for a kiss. He visibly relaxes.
“What else is on tap today?” Connor asks.
“Well, I know it’s technically my day off, but I was thinking about coming to the ranch with you today.”
“Today? But it’s your day off.” He parrots back at me.
I laugh. “I know, but if you’re there and my sister’s there, I don’t want to sit around the apartment all day. Maybe I’ll visit Hope if Reid thinks she’s ready.”
I’ve fallen more in love with that paint horse every single day. Reid said she’s acclimated to the ranch and gave me the green light to integrate her into the equine assisted learning program I’m developing.
Connor scratches his hair feverishly, growing agitated.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” he blurts and darts out of the room.
Poor thing’s so tired he’s glitching like a robot.
I stand back to examine the wall space for where I should hang our achievements. My phone rings and I pause before answering it.
Unknown Number
I don’t usually answer unless it’s someone I know but I’ve been reaching out to so many contacts in the equine therapy world, I should answer it.
“This is Delilah.”
“Hey, it’s Greyson. I’m glad I caught you.” That’s weird. I swear I had his number programed into my phone.
“My babysitter’s sick, and Harper’s still on winter break. Is there any way you could come to the store and grab her for me? Y’all can spend the day at our place. She’s got crafts and shit she’s been dying to do,” he says, clearly stressed.
Connor comes into the room, fully dressed, and makes a beeline for the front door. Before I can stop him, he slides into his cowboy boots and coat and is out the door with a “love you” thrown over his shoulder. What in the world is going on with that man?
I don’t have anything going on anyway. “Sure, I can be there in fifteen, will that work?”
“Yes, you’re a life saver. See you soon.” And with that, Greyson hangs up.
Why would Greyson call me when Livy and James have been tag-teaming to helping him out? They must be busy today.
Harper’s a sweetheart, we’ll have a great day and maybe even sneak in some glitter. Greyson hates the stuff and forbids Harper from using it in the house.
I better get dressed so I don’t keep him waiting.
“Now that I have my equine assisted learning certification, do you think we can start getting serious about marketing and ordering signage?” I ask James.
“Absolutely, get with Mom, she won’t mind you using Swift’s resources to get rolling.”
“I don’t want to take advantage…”
“Nonsense. You’re family. What else?” he asks, all business today. He keeps checking his phone, tapping it every ten seconds like he’s hoping to get a text.
“So long as you’re confident I’m all set on the legal side, you’re off the hook,” I say.
“You’re all set with general liability insurance through the ranch. We’ve got your participation consent forms and waivers, adults and minors. Your business plan looks phenomenal. I’ll get the independent contractor agreement template finalized for you.
“Otherwise, ask Swift’s marketing department for our photo release form and decide if that’s something you’d like to pursue,” James says, packing away his laptop and notebook, already standing to leave.
“Thank you so much for everything, James. I know you’re busy.”
“No thanks needed.” He checks his phone again.
“Uh, Liv wants to meet you for lunch at The Flying Pig. Do you need a ride, or…”
Why would Livy be communicating through James?
I release a heavy sigh and pack up as well. “No, I have my car. Thanks though.”
James is already out the door before I look up from my bag.
Everyone’s been acting so weird all month. I’ve barely seen anyone and we’re never together in a group.
I guess this is what being an adult is like. Everyone has their own jobs and responsibilities. Now that I’m getting the program up and running, at least I’ll see Reid and Izzy more often.
It’d be nice if I saw my husband for more than blips at a time. He sleeps at home every night, but he’s dead tired. He’s been too tired to have much sex, and I didn’t realize how bad I needed it until I haven’t had it.
Connor better be ready to get jumped the second he walks in the door tonight.