34. Chapter 34
Chapter 34
River
G ray and I are covered in blood when we finally climb into the truck.
My body vibrates with adrenaline, and his with anger.
I’ve seen Gray writhing with fury, but this is another level. Those animals and this ranch mean so much to him. For something to go so horribly wrong that could have been prevented is crushing him. He’d voiced that frustration repeatedly while we cleaned up Roscoe’s leg.
“This wouldn’t have happened if I w ere here.” Each repetition growled harsher than the last.
There would never have been a bull put in a stall with a faulty gate. Gorman would have been called to come back.
Had he been here, the proper people would have known these things.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
“No.” The single word is devoid of any inflection. Just as empty as those dark brown eyes appear now.
“Okay. You were amazing back there.” I place my hand on his thigh. “I’ve never seen Dr. Garrison in action.”
“Thanks, but I’m not a vet, River,” he grunts. Knowing I won’t get much more out of him, I simply squeeze his blood-crusted thigh, and we ride home in silence.
I’ve never operated on an animal, but that had been amazing. Not only was Gray flawless in how he cared for that massive creature, he remained tender and focused, talking to it the whole time as if his voice would calm the pain. He’d been meticulous and efficient as he examined the tissues, cleaned the wound, stitched with dissolvable sutures, and bandaged the leg.
Gray was a surgeon in his own right, and I wonder if he ever considered taking his career a step further. He’s never mentioned veterinary school, and I’ve never asked. Two doctors in one household sounds like an unstoppable match, but in that way, Gray isn’t like me.
Where I’d had the ambition to be at the top of the medical food chain, he’s happy being the knowledgeable helping hand when he can be.
“Baby, you did amazing tonight,” I whisper as he pulls onto our drive. A repeat of my earlier words, but a positive affirmation he needs when his mood darkens.
He sighs heavily, parking the truck, his forehead dropping to the steering wheel. “River, nothing like that has ever happened in all the years I’ve been there overseeing the ranch hands and livestock. It’s not my official job or anything, but we’ve always caught things like that, and not once has an animal ever been hurt because of an oversight like that.”
“This isn’t your fault.” My fingers lightly squeeze against the hard muscle of his shoulder. The pieces of my heart shattering, witnessing him beat himself up unnecessarily.
“I know, it’s not. But if Tate doesn’t have good help, more shit like this is going to happen. And I can’t—”
“Listen to me. You’re not betraying your feelings about your brother by going back to help him at the ranch. If anything, you are standing behind your passion, your heart, and your values. That has nothing to do with Tate. Do I hope you two can work past this lifelong fight, yes, but that has nothing to do with you going back there and doing all the things you’ve always done.”
Sad eyes find mine, his palm snaking up my cheek. And I melt into him the way I always do. “I love you.”
“I know,” I whisper before he sweetly kisses me. A kiss, brief but full of so many unspoken words.
“I’d decided earlier tonight I was going to come back to help out. Then that happened, and I knew I needed to be there. For me. For the Millers and everyone else who has made a home at Boulder Ranch and the rodeo.”
“I’m proud of you,” I smile. “Let’s get cleaned up, okay?”
He only nods, hopping out of the truck to open my door. His arm drapes over my shoulders, mine snaking around his waist as we make our way up the front steps and into our home.
At least one of us is starting to heal. Gray’s change of heart only gives me the courage to believe that maybe I can do the same.
Maybe I can look past the prejudices I allowed others to force onto me and look beyond them to what’s important to me. Two things can exist at once. Gray has proven that tonight.
I can be a badass surgeon and still have a family with the man I’m head over heels in love with.
But for today, I will just have to admit that to myself. Unlike my boyfriend, I’m not ready to act on it.
Bright sunlight filters in through the slightly parted curtains, waking me from a sound sleep.
Checking my phone, it’s already nine.
“Fuck!” I bark, jumping out of bed.
I’d missed chores.
I’m stumbling around trying to find Gray’s sweats and one of the flannel button-ups when he appears in the doorway. One leg crosses over the other, hair still damp, smiling at me with a mug of coffee in hand.
“You didn’t wake me?” I pout.
“No, I didn’t. You were snoring like a freight train, so I figured you needed the rest.” He moves toward me with a lazy grin, placing a quick kiss on my forehead. “I took care of your babies, and I, uh, saw Tate.”
“You what?” I jerk back, nearly knocking the mug out of his hand.
“He knows I’ll be there. It wasn’t necessarily a pleasant conversation, but a necessary one.”
“What have you done with Grayson Garrison?”
He smirks, kissing my forehead again. “You might want to put on something different than that. We’re going riding.”
My feet involuntarily take several steps back. My hands raised as if warding off an attack. “Nope. One bull was enough.”
“Horses, baby. We’re going riding on the horses.”
“Oh, well, it’s been a while since I’ve been on one of those.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you,” he winks, disappearing down the stairs, clicking his tongue so our two fur balls follow him.
It doesn’t take me long to get dressed, finding Gray on the back patio drinking yet another coffee. The whispering spring breeze brushes over my skin as I step outside barefoot. A fresh mug waiting for me on the table beside a covered plate of food.
“You’re the best boyfriend ever,” I groan, taking a sip of the dark roast energy boost.
“Why’s that?” he chuckles.
I only shrug. “You support my caffeine addiction.”
A barking laugh escapes him before he winks at me. “Eat and drink up. We’ll be gone for a while.”
I nod and do as he says. Twenty minutes later, we’ve loaded up a trailer hitched to the back of the truck. Our boys happily climbing into the backseat, their massive heads hanging out the same window, tongues lolling out to the side.
It’s a short drive to the trails that line Boulder Lake. A beautiful scenic route, many enjoy biking, hiking, and riding along. We used to come here when I was younger. Jaxon and I would race our horses along the edge despite my mother’s protest. She hated that I didn’t mind being rough and tumble with my brothers. She’d wanted me to be ladylike and want tea parties and hair and makeup. I did like those things; I just wanted the wind in my hair, too.
Gray parks and begins unloading the horses. Chocolate exits first and then Rocket. “I didn’t think he could—” I pet his mane.
“He can walk and trot just fine with a smaller rider. He doesn’t run anymore though.”
Looking up into Rocket’s big eyes, he leans his snout into my palm. “Hey buddy, looks like we finally get to have a little fun together.”
Gray is quick to tack both horses, then hoist me up onto Rocket, who huffs and shakes his head wildly as if giddy for this new adventure.
It’s a beautiful day. A breeze, coupled with the sunshine a reminder of why the seasons can be so breathtaking here in Cole County.
As promised, Gray stays by my side, our horses clomping forward in unison, with Bronc and Bull obediently walking between them. I’d been surprised when Gray didn’t even bother putting their collars on, let alone a leash. He’d been right. Our boys haven’t left our side either.
It’s an hour of following the trail, my back and ass aching when Gray halts the horses climbing down.
There’s a picnic area laid out. A classic wicker basket set dead center of a blanket I recognize from the upstairs linen closet. “What’s going on?”
“Come on,” he grins.
He tugs my hand lightly, softly pulling at the reins of our horses. Typing the reins to a tree behind us, Gray continues to chuckle. Humor and excitement shining in those whiskey eyes as if he has a secret.
My heart hammers, my nerves firing, unable to settle and just appreciate the peacefulness and beauty of the place that has always been home for me. But something isn’t right. Gray can be movie-worthy romantic sometimes, but something about this is different. The seclusion. The preset area.
“Gray, tell me what’s going on,” I warn, turning to face him. “I’m not good with surprises.”
“You’re so impatient.” He kisses the tip of my nose, but that smile never fades.
“Gray.” His name an exasperated groan on my tongue.
“Look in the basket.”
Quirking a brow, I slowly peel the top open. Inside is a stuffed cow. It’s coloring a match for Fester, the first bull I ever rode. The only bull, if I can help it, but something glints on his horn.
Picking up the toy, a solitaire princess-cut diamond ring sparkles in the sunlight.
My eyes are wide as I face Gray again. “Are you?”
“I need you to listen before you say no or go off on one of your tangents of why you can’t. River, you are the sole person in this world who has just seen me as Grayson Garrison. There is no one I have loved more than you. It’s your laugh and your smile, and your backtalk. The noises you make in your sleep and the way you scream my name.” I swat at his chest and he laughs. “But mostly it’s your pride and trust in me. No one sets my world on fire like you do. I know you have reservations about getting married, but just as you’ve helped me navigate through so much in my life, I want to help you do the same, so Dr. River Thompson Bone Crusher Extraordinaire, please marry me.”
Tears burn behind my eyes. It’s not that I didn’t know this day would come for us; I did. It was only a matter of time.
And at least for the moment, I’m not scared.