Chapter 3 Rancher’s Heart
GRIFF
Standing on the porch with my cup of coffee, I took a deep breath and stared out over the lake to the green pastures and up the mountains. The peaks weren’t visible since the cloud cover was so low today, but I knew what they looked like. I could close my eyes and picture them soaring up to the sky, snow hanging on the peaks taunting us that no matter how beautiful it was down here, winter was always son the horizon.
My arm was stiff this morning, but my fingers had full feeling so I would count this morning as a win. From experience, by noon, I would have problems again, but I wouldn't worry about that now. Lifting my cup, I let the hot liquid flow down my throat, and I relished my peaceful morning.
“Hey.” A woman’s voice shouted from the down the road, shattering the peace that surrounded me. “Are these nightmares yours?” I watched her walk beside one horse, who in fact was a nightmare, and I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my lips.
“They look like mine.” Setting my coffee cup on the railing, I walked off the porch and closer to the woman. I’d seen her around but couldn’t remember where.
“Well, they were all over the highway and by the time I got them caught, we weren’t far from here, so I took a chance.” She put her hand on her hip, staring at me.
Her blonde hair was piled on her head in a messy bun. Messy was probably an understatement. Unkempt would be a better term. The woman was tall; she was probably only six inches shorter than I was and at six foot four; I wasn’t short. The dark brown eyes looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her.
Finally, I took notice of the black scrubs. Of course, she was a nurse at the hospital. She’d been on the day I’d busted up my shoulder. I’d remembered those green eyes, and all that blonde hair now. “Follow me. Let’s get them back in the pasture.” I walked beside her and tried to not look at her breasts bouncing. What the hell was this woman doing? Surely she didn’t normally work without a bra on.
Opening the gate, I took the halter from the gorgeous woman beside me. It was at that moment I realized it wasn’t a halter at all. It was her bra. Oh my god, she’d caught my wild horses with a bra. I looked from the bright red lace accessory back to her, my eyes locked on her tits.
“You finally figured it out. I was wondering when you’d realize it.” She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. Ripping my eyes from her chest, I looked at her and tried to smile, but it felt creepy. “Anyway, I’m glad you got them back. I’m going home.” She turned and waved.
“Wait, I can drive you back to your vehicle.” I closed the gate and latched the chain.
“Thanks, I would appreciate it.” She climbed in the truck and I drove out of my yard.
“You’re new around here.” It wasn’t a question, but I’d hoped it would be enough to start some type of conversation.
“I’ve been here almost a year, but moved on to my ranch four months ago. Before that, I was living in town.” She didn’t volunteer any more information. “How’s your shoulder?” She remembered me. I looked over at her and smiled.
“It seems fine, aches a little in the cold, but I’ll survive.” I shrugged, not wanting her to know that mobility in that shoulder was still touch and go. It more than ached. I wasdealing with some sort of pain daily.
“Massages will help. Your muscles are probably tight.” She nodded. “I have a small massage business on my days off if you think it would help. I live up at the old Hays place.” Slowing, I pulled to a stop in front of her truck that was pulled off at an approach.
“If you think it would help, I might just do that. Griff Harp.” I stuck out my hand, glad to finally know the woman whose face I was seeing in my dreams.
“Elle Greggory. It’s nice to meet you outside of work.” She pushed the door open and left it open as she walked to her vehicle. She rummaged through something and turned back. Elle popped her head in and held out a card. “That’s my number. If I don’t answer, I’m at work, sleeping or in the arena, but I’ll call back.”
“Thanks, and thanks for the horses.”
“Any time.” She smiled and turned away. Mid stride she turned and looked over her shoulder, “oh, and Griff, you owe me a bra.” Her laughter was like music, and I wanted her to climb back in the truck so I could keep talking to her, but she drove away.
Looking down at the card, I memorized the number. My thoughts drifted back to the bra that was hanging on my fence and I sped off to the main ranch.
Bursting through the front door of the main house, I kicked my boots off before I ran into the kitchen. “Where do I buy a bra?” I stopped and stared at the table full of people before me.
My four business partners stared at me, and the women’s eyebrows were raised. Their eyes sparkled with laughter, and it was impossible to miss.
“Why do you need a bra?” My best friend, Ryder, asked. We’d worked closely together over the years and I wasn’t surprised he’d been the one to ask.
“Long story, but I owe someone a bra. And a nice one. But how do I know her size? Is it like a one size fits all situation?”
“You’ve held enough tits in your hands, pal. I would think you would know it’s not one size fits all.” Nash laughed as he lifted his coffee mug and took a drink.
“Look online, Griff. Give me your phone.” Nora reached out her hand. Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I handed it to her and went to pour myself another cup of coffee. “To find the size, you’ll have to ask the owner of the original bra.” Nora smirked and side eyed me.
“I have it. It’s hanging on my fence,” I quipped. Every head turned to look at me, mouths open and as if each one had a thought bubble pop up above their heads, I could see the questions forming.
“Well then, as long as the tag is still on it, you’ll find the size,” Nora replied as she handed my phone back to me.
“Thanks. I’ll be back in a bit.” Setting my cup down, I headed back to my place.
The red bra pulled me like a beacon in the dark to it. Crossing my fingers, I hoped the tag was still on it. Picking it up, I looked at where Nora had said. “Yes.” I called as I jogged into the house, pulling out my phone to see the website she’d found.
“Holy shit,” I muttered to myself as I looked at the prices of these things. Would she want another red one? What about pink? What if I got her on that was my favorite color?
That’s exactly what I was going to do. Scrolling through, I found the laciest, most see through electric blue bra I could find. Choosing her size, I added it to my cart and filled in all the information.
Hitting submit order, I leaned back in my chair. “Well, Elle Greggory, I’ll see you I in a few days.” Chuckling to myself, I suddenly felt like a villain in a movie that was trying to take over the world. Except I was trying to take over Elle’s every waking thought.