Chapter 12
REMY
Ilove spending time with Stone. He makes me feel recharged. More alive. But he was right last night: my social battery was completely drained.
I do end up sleeping in and wake up sprawled like a starfish across the guest room bed. I stayed up late working and fell into such a groove that I got a whole bunch of assignments completed. It was like I was working at turbo speed.
After showering, I go downstairs to make coffee, and see there's a pot already brewed, with a note in front of it.
This was made at nine. If it's not fresh enough when you get up, feel free to dump it and make more. I went to town for groceries. Hope you're sleeping well.
A man who gives me space and leaves me gourmet coffee? I could get used to this.
I take my mug out to the back deck. It's only ten in the morning, and the sun still has that lazy hazy morning quality thanks to the wall of fluffy clouds coming over the highest peak of the mountain and stalling in place. Stone already told me that the weather can be volatile here.
I'm already thinking of staying a bit longer. This feeling of comfort is something I've craved for as long as I can remember. I’m just not sure I can trust it completely.
It all hinges on Stone. If we fight, if I make him angry, or even if he just changes his mind, I would be kicked out or abandoned. Again.
I haven’t seen him angry yet. Or disappointed. It’s too soon for me to know how he would react to any number of things. One thing’s for sure, he’s a man who is used to getting what he wants.
I look around at the lavish patio furniture and the huge garage to the side.
It's wild to think how rich Stone must be.
For many people, this would be their dream house.
The kind of place that could only be purchased by a couple who are both highly paid professionals.
And he still has enough money left over to pay anything to save horses?
It's strange, but admirable. It’s also wildly endearing.
"Hello?" I hear his deep voice echoing through the house.
I go back into the kitchen, where he’s placing grocery bags on the island. Stone grabs me around the waist with one arm, giving me a fast and ferocious kiss before setting me back on my feet. "Be right back, gorgeous. One more load."
I start unpacking the groceries and hear a rattle at the bottom of a bag. Taking out the bottle, I read the label, surprised. He returns with a large canvas tote bag of vegetables, and a paper shopping bag from a shoe store.
He nods to the bottle in my hand. "I saw something online last year about how taking a multivitamin is one of the easiest ways to promote overall health and longevity.” He raises an eyebrow and winks. "Are you low in selenium? Be honest."
I smile at him. "To be honest, I have no idea."
He shrugs. "They say men's and women's vitamins are different. I figured you might as well have the right one." He holds out the paper bag to me. "Also for you."
"Stone, I can't—"
He holds up his hands. "I checked your boots at the front door for the size. There are some beautiful hiking trails around here, but you’ll need ankle support and the proper soles.”
I pull out a box, then sit at the dining room table to open it, revealing a pair of the most beautiful hiking boots I've ever seen. He’s removed the price sticker, but they strike me as expensive. The stitching and the sturdy yet lightweight shell feel like top quality.
"They were all pretty much the same color and design,” he says, shrugging. "And they're just going to get dirty anyway. But I don't want you to ruin your cute little leather boots."
I jump up and hug him. "This is very thoughtful. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
He starts putting the groceries away, and I try to help as much as I can, given that I’m still learning where everything goes. We decide on pasta primavera for lunch, to use up the last of some vegetables he got at a farmers’ market, plus more that he picked from the garden out back this morning.
As we’re chatting, his phone pings, and he nods after reading the message.
"Good news?" I ask.
"Yep. My horseshoe expert is coming by at three to check on Prince and Unicorn." He smiles. “Not all horses need to be shod, but it's rough terrain out here. Some of the fields are hard-packed soil, with chunks of rock. They'll be safer with good shoes."
Lunch is lovely. He tells me more about the history of this ranch, and the fun he had building the house, designing everything to suit him perfectly.
After our meal, Stone heads to the stables to meet with his horseshoe expert. I’m heading back up to my room with another coffee when it hits me.
Stone is treating me like one of his rescue horses.
Healthy meals with tons of vegetables. The various snacks he keeps leaving lying around. The multivitamins.
New shoes, so I'll be safer and more comfortable on his land.
It's thoughtful, yes. At the same time, he's almost acting like he assumes I'm going to just move in and stay here forever, living in his world, according to what he thinks is best.
Is Stone training me, like one of his animals?