Page 10 of Light on Love
As they make their way to the barn, a woman about Laurel’s age blocks their path. Her rich auburn hair falls in waves over her shoulders, and she flashes a brilliant smile at them. “Youmust be Laurel,” the woman says, pulling her into a hug. Laurel finds herself hugging back, loving her energy.
“I’m Gracie. I’m one of the ranch hands here. Theonlyfemale one,” she adds, shooting a glare at Brett.
He narrows his eyes. “Where are all these women lining up that I’m refusing to hire?”
Gracie ignores his question and turns back to Laurel. “All the women are interested in Brett for reasons other than a job. Actually, I take that back. In town I hear ladies talking aboutgiving hima job, if you know what I mean.”
“Gracie,” Brett groans. “Really?”
Laurel feels herself tense for some reason at the comment. She’s never considered herself a prude, but hearing that women talk sexually about Brett is off-putting for some reason. As if sensing it, Gracie quickly continues.
“Not that he’s ever given anyone the time of day. I grew up in this town, came back after college to marry that one,” she says, pointing at the blonde man cooking at the cowboy cauldron. “My husband’s name is Wyatt. He always ran around getting into trouble with Grey and Brett. My dad is the sheriff, so I got to know them pretty well when he would bust them.”
Laurel laughs at the annoyed look on Brett’s face as Gracie says this. The two women smile at one another, equally amused. “Hey, what about we go into town together one night and grab drinks?” Gracie asks.
At this, Brett speaks up, his voice stern. “No. How am I supposed to keep her safe if she’s in Sterling Ridge with you?”
“I was raised by the sheriff; I can have her back just fine.”
“Not with this kind of threat, end of discussion.”
The sternness of Brett’s tone gains an icy edge, but this doesn’t scare Gracie. She doesn’t bat an eye as she reassures Laurel, “Brett isn’t the hard ass, stick in the mud that he seems. I’ll be around to check on you. I guess we can hang out here.”
“Thank you, I’d love that,” Laurel says as Gracie squeezes her shoulder. Brett again moves to guide Laurel away. She notices that he’s more tense now, since Gracie mentioned Laurel leaving the compound like he’d forbidden her to do.
Thinking like an operator, she reflects as Brett leads her into the barn. It takes a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darker space and as they do, she notices two men are standing before her. Laurel turns to Brett just as he disappears into the tack room. Should she follow him?
The men glance over at her, standing alone and probably looking confused. The younger one breaks into an earnest smile. “The famous Dr. Montgomery! So good to finally meet you, ma’am. I’m Cooper.” He strides over to shake her hand, the tight curls of his light brown hair bouncing with the movement.
Once closer, she notices how young he really is. He looks lanky in a youthful way, like he could still be in high school. The other man, appearing to be her age and strikingly handsome, tips his dark brown cowboy hat at her as he approaches. “And I’m Grey, nice to meet you, Doctor.” He extends his hand, kindness in his cool blue eyes.
“Oh, call me Laurel, please. But what do you mean famous?” she asks nervously, her brain catching on Cooper’s question.
“Since Brett’s mom, Mary has been the only woman living here. And anyone that can get Brett in,” Grey pauses to consider his next words, “whatever mood he’s been in lately… is likely to be the topic of conversation around here.”
Laurel feels a bubble of excitement rise in her chest that she could be affecting theunaffectable Brett Hayes. But is it in a good way?
As if on cue, Brett returns from the tack room just as Grey is asking her how she’s liking the ranch. Two beers in hand, Brett holds one out in a silent offer to Laurel. When she accepts it, he steps close to her, arms brushing. Laurel doesn’t miss the lookCooper and Grey exchange at this before excusing themselves and heading outside. She also doesn’t miss the heat that rushes through her at his touch.
Once the others are gone, Brett steps away and leans back against the wall, watching her over the bottle as he takes a drink. Laurel turns and takes in the stalls of horses around her, a smile on her face when she notices a horse watching her. She walks up to it, a golden sand colored horse with a white blonde mane, not unlike her own hair color. The animal holds her gaze as she approaches, lifting the back of her hand up slowly.
Laurel can feel the smile on her face grow when it presses its head against her hand. She takes this as an invitation to pet the magnificent horse, running her fingers along its jaw. Occupied with the horse, Laurel is unaware of Brett watching her intently. He moves to stand near her, an unreadable expression on his face.“Do you have much experience with horses?” he finally asks.
Laurel turns to face him. “Some. Riding with my brothers, Charlie and Stephen, growing up. They became more interested in lacrosse though, and my dad didn’t have time with his work to take them to their sports and keep taking me riding. I asked my mom to take me once and she suggested I spend my time on something that would be more useful to my future husband prospects.”
The horse, not happy that Brett had pulled her attention away, burrows its muzzle into her hair. She laughs and turns back around, rubbing her hand along its face once again.
“Did you enjoy riding?” Brett asks, his voice soft, eyes still studying her in a way she can’t interpret.
Laurel nods, still looking up at the horse. “I really did.”
“His name is Dune, he’s a palomino,” Brett says, motioning towards the animal demanding her attention.
“He sure is a love,” she laughs as Dune presses his head against her. Brett doesn’t respond. Instead, he runs his hand along his jaw, a question in his eyes.
—
For the next hour or so, Laurel finds that she is truly enjoying herself talking and eating with everyone. She fills up on barbecued meat, grilled corn, and lemon blueberry cake, the cake courtesy of Mary. At one point, Cooper tells a story about another ranch hand being chased by a tiny calf that has her in stitches from laughing. Other than her brothers, Laurel can’t remember the last time she laughed so much.