“Thanks toTori.”
Looking down at my work boots, I smile at his assessment, because he’s right aboutthat.
37
Tori
Cold,soapy water runs down my arms in rivulets, the contrast to the sweat streaking along the back of my tank top making me shiver in the oppressive heat.What an oddsensation.
The barn is stifling hot even though the sun is starting to set. I don’t know how Ethan does this day in and day out. I’d die from heatstroke.
Since it’s Sunday, none of his ranch hands are here, so the barn is still and serene except for the occasional stomp or whinny from the animals residing in the stalls. Dust motes float lazily in the air, which is thick with the scent of hay andsawdust.
Leaning up on my toes, I strain to reach the top of Stargazer, a handsome dappled grey horse Ethan needed to groom thisweekend.
“You really didn’t need to help me out here,” Ethan says from the other side of the animal. “You did enough this afternoon in theoffice.”
When he explained he had to groom a few horses this evening so he could stay on schedule, the exhaustion in his eyes did me in. I couldn’t let him do this by himself, especially since Logan didn’t look like he was going to budge from the couch in the living room where the kids were watching amovie.
“I don’t mind.” Honestly, I don’t. “Kind of wanted to keep youcompany.”
I lean up again and catch him smiling. “I love the company. Maybe tomorrow you can sleep in and I’ll take the kids out for breakfast. We’ll bring you somepancakes.”
Ethan Carter is such a sweetheart.I catch myselfsighing.
It’s funny how the moment I walked in his house this afternoon and he whisked me into the office for a quick makeout sesh, all of those reservations that crept into my mind about him and Allison this morning melted away. Whatever happened between them is the past, and we’re here. Together.Now.
“That sounds wonderful, but when do you get to sleep in?” Even as the words slip out, I already know theanswer.
“Never.”
I want to laugh, to make a joke out of it, but I know he’s telling the truth, and it hurts me to see how he’s running himselfragged.
We finish up with Stargazer and then start on TinyDancer.
“There’s nothing tiny about you, huh?” I scratch the huge butter-colored horse behind her ear, and she turns her head intome.
I love these animals and their gentle strength. Her soulful eyes almost do mein.
Ethan is quiet the whole time we work, and my heart is heavy with thoughts of what will happen to his amazing ranch if the judge doesn’t side with him and hisbrother.
If I’m this concerned about it, Ethan must be sick withworry.
Peeking over at him, I take in his tight shoulders and serious expression. The tension in his jaw. The furrow of hisbrow.
He’s in his own world. Quiet andtroubled.
I wish… I wish there was something I could do to ease his burdens. To help him make sense of his life. To help him make the most of his business, so he can repay Allison without gutting the ranch. He and Logan have discussed the possibility of selling off some of their land, selling Logan’s house, or auctioning two of their stallions, but each of those prospects will affect their ability to maintain the income they so badlyneed.
We’re almost done with the last horse when he strips off his wet t-shirt.
He doesn’t notice me staring, or that I shiver for a reason totally unconnected to the cold water that splashes me as I scrub down TinyDancer.
He’s in his head, washing the horse. Focused on histask.
With two big strides, he heads to the giant sink in the corner and begins to clean up. Rinsing out the sponges. Scrubbing his hands. Washing his face. Water and soap go everywhere. Down his abs and low-slung jeans that fit him snug around the thighs and ass, making my girlie partstingle.
He’s hot and glistening with sweat, his face ruddy, his brow furrowed inconcentration.
