Page 105 of It’s Your Love
Beth wanted to whimper. Wanted to just fall apart and surrender. She’d tried not being afraid, and look where that was getting her. “I guess we’re all-in on this trail ride now.”
Grayson nodded. “It matters more than ever.”
Courtney set down her tea. “You guys, it’s going to be great.”
“I know. You’re right. We can do this.” She looked to Grayson for validation.
He smiled and put his hand on hers, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. And that left a swirl of doubt in her gut that the touch of his hand couldn’t ease.
fifteen
WatchingBeth transform into a trail boss the morning of the fundraiser ride was like watching a still-wet foal go from her first wobbly steps to galloping across the pasture ten hours later.
Wearing her boots and Wranglers, her hair loose and a clipboard in her hands, she walked into the barn as the edge of dawn spread across camp, a golden lining of sunshine peeling back the darkness.
Dew glinted off the grass, and the day held the promise of adventure and success despite the message from Vincent that might set his camp up ahead of schedule.
Five weeks had passed, and he still hadn’t figured out how to find compromise between the life waiting for him in Oregon with his new life in Deep Haven.
Because Beth wouldn’t leave, would she?
He’d listened to Vincent’s voice mail three times. A Klamath Falls dude ranch was closing after devastating wildfire losses. Their entire horse string was available at a fraction of the full price because the owner didn’t want them going to auction. They just couldn’t handle any mouths to feed when they’d lost their own house in the fire. The man didn’t need the full down payment yet, but he needed a commitment and a portion of the money.
If Grayson didn’t act soon, he’d lose any shot of starting a camp in Oregon in the near future.
He needed to keep reminding himself of that. Trinity Horse Camp already had a full-time wrangler. Jesse would be back at the end of summer at the latest—sooner if his doctor gave him the clearance.
And Grayson had been sitting on the offers Nathan had sent him. The clock was ticking on his response.
Tally nickered over her stall door.
He stopped to rub her face.
“Can you believe how well she’s doing?” Beth asked. “I saw Lena last night. Told her she’d have to swing through and take a peek.”
The wound had closed up. Left a scar at the joint, but Tally was sound, willingly offering a walk, jog, and lope in the outdoor arena. Even a few feel-good bucks and kicks to boot.
No, she wouldn’t be a competition header or heeler and wouldn’t win any barrel races. But she’d be a fine ranch and trail horse once he finished working with her.
“Pretty amazing,” he said.
“You’re pretty amazing.” She grinned. “Look at all this.” She waved the stack of waivers.
At least something could go right. He lifted a shoulder. “This is easy—I know how to do this kind of thing.”
“That reminds me—I sent out an inquiry on two horses I found online that could be Maverick.”
“Really?” He hadn’t put much hope in her search.
“Yeah. One of the brand searches led me to a Facebook page for people searching for horses they used to own.” She lifted her shoulder. “I figured it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Except, he hoped the camp wouldn’t end up losing Maverick in the process. If the horse had been stolen, the camp would lose out.
Still, she looked so excited and hopeful. And they had this ride ahead of them. “Good work, detective.”
She grinned. “Okay, I have our roster.” She tapped her clipboard. “Most of our group are families from Duluth, the Twin Cities, and surrounding areas, but I do recognize a few names from town. I gave Colleen Decker a half-price ticket so she can act as our trail medic. She’s a nurse.”
“Smart,” Grayson answered. “Nathan’s daughter, right?”