“Does Lucy let anyone ride her anymore?” Reese asked, picking up a brush and running it through the horse’s silver mane. Hudson had taught her once how to properly brush a horse. Though she was skipping a couple of steps ahead, he admired her ability to jump right in without being asked.
“She loves trail rides, don’t you, girl?”
“We have to go before I leave. Please.”
“We can go today.” Hudson didn’t have any of the picnic supplies from Ronnie’s carefully constructed list, and he certainly didn’t have any wine hiding in his cupboards. But the horses needed exercise, and Reese wanted to ride. Besides, he couldn’t remember what date-like item Ronnie had included underDay One. Something about music. It could wait for another day.
“Do we have time for riding?”
“Horses need exercise,” he explained. “We make time for it.”
Reese retrieved her tablet, but Hudson wasn’t ready to talk about interior decorating. “Tell me more about this promotion of yours,” he said, deflecting as she settled on a stool. “Do you get the corner office and all that shiny stuff?”
“No corner office, but mine would have a lot of windows with a great view of the next building over. I’d get a complimentary resort trip to Maui once a year.” She swiped at her screen, oblivious to Hudson’s deep frown. She’d have called him out if she spotted it. She hadn’t accepted the position, but the way she spoke of it made him think she wanted to. “I’d be leading the entire marketing department,” she went on, eyes locked on her screen. “It’s a lot of responsibility, but I’m ready for a new challenge.”
Hudson stopped himself from speaking three times because Ronnie’s advice kept whispering in his ear.Be supportive. “I hope they’re giving you a healthy bump in salary.”
“And a bonus.”
“What do your parents think? They must be proud.”
When Reese didn’t immediately respond, Hudson peered over the stall door at her. Her expression screamed of guilt. “I haven’t told them yet.”
“I figured they’d be the first to know.”
“It all happened so fast,” Reese said, head tucked toward her tablet, as if she were afraid to meet his penetrating gaze.
“Cell service is pretty decent out here if you stay close to the house,” he offered.
“I’ll call them in a couple of days,” she added, lifting from her stool. She held out the tablet to him. “I picked out a few themes. If you give them a look and let me know if any of them speak to you, I can work from there.”
Hudson didn’t know what was going on with Reese, but he’d bet his ranch something was holding her back. She wanted the position, but she hadn’t immediately accepted it. He had to uncover why before she left for good. For now, he let it go.
Emptying his pitchfork, he stuck it into the hay and leaned on it. She held up the tablet and swiped through some options. Even from the other side of the stall door, the scent of lavender floated to him, reminding him of a shooting star they’d seen together and the wish he silently made that night.
“See anything you like?”
The only thing he could focus on was Reese. “Something blue?”
“You’re not awake enough for this, are you?” she teased.
“I could use another cup of coffee. Breakfast too,” he admitted. “Let me finish up. Then we can head back inside, fuel up, and rip off some wood paneling. But if you want more than scrambled eggs, we’ll have to run into town.”
“If it means we can get started on the living room, I’m happy to whip us up something a little heartier than scrambled eggs.”
The way Reese’s eyes lit with excitement made him chuckle. He may as well have told her she won a jackpot. He loved how easily happiness came to her. Reese could find the positive in the grimmest situations. She was a beacon of hopeful light no matter how dark. He’d miss that most about her if things didn’t go his way.
Chapter 6
Reese
Reese had forgotten how Starlight practically shut down on Sundays. It was the day she usually flew back to Chicago after a long weekend. One could still get groceries or a bite to eat, but almost every other business in town was closed. Labor was hard to come by as well. Ronnie’s promised help wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow morning. They were lucky enough that a dumpster would be delivered this afternoon.
“Thanks for helping me move the furniture,” she said to Hudson. “I know you’d rather be out there helping Jed with that fence.”
“I’m not about to let you work alone onmyhouse,” he said, joining her near the front door. The spot offered the best angle to take in the room as a whole. “You’re doing me a favor by taking the lead on this. You’re not even getting paid.”
“I needed the break,” she said honestly. “That’s why I love coming to Starlight. It’s a breath of fresh air every time. I always leave feeling recharged.” She bit down on her bottom lip before she said too much. She should be thrilled that everything was happening the way she wanted. Questioning that nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right wouldn’t serve her any purpose.
