Pulling up her contact information on my phone, I don’t hesitate to call her. Maybe I am being a bit stalkerish, but I just want to see her.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me. Uh, Gray.”
“Oh, hey!” Her voice rises several octaves, the sound of utensils hitting pots and pans clanging in my ear. “Sorry. What’s up?”
“Uh, I’m at your house. Are you home?”
“Oh… No, I’m not.”
I try not to let jealousy course through me. She doesn’t have to tell me what she’s doing twenty-four-seven or who she’s with. I’ve never been that guy. But the pull to become him is strong when I think about River.
No one else should get her laughter or her smile, or the way she sighs when she finds her happy place. Contentment that washes over her when she’s talking about surgeries or cows.
“Oh, Okay. Uh…”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a day. Long surgeries this afternoon. I forgot to tell you I was going to cook for Gran before I came over.”
As if lightning strikes my spine, I immediately sit up straighter. “Do you want some help?”
She goes quiet, her breathing the only noise from the other end for long, treacherous moments. “I think I would.”
It’s seconds before River sends me the address, and I’m backing out of her drive, flying down the road like a bat out of hell.
Her grandmother’s house is less than ten minutes from hers, a convenience she once mentioned to me since she was the only member of her family who stayed to look after her. Well, the only one who came back after they all abandoned Cole County.
My boots clap against the wooden steps up to the front door. The planks bowing beneath my weight, the higher I climb. Bouncing to test the last one, it’s clear there are only a few more trips left before the thing caves, and one of them ends up hurt. A quick fix I can do tomorrow after tending to the ranch.
Knocking lightly, shuffling feet sound behind the door. An elderly woman with dark gray hair and vibrant green eyes greets me. Her complexion is similar to River’s, but their features are startlingly different. I would never guess they were related if I didn’t know better.
“Oh. You’re a handsome one. Rugged.”
A flush creeps up my neck. Leave it to my girlfriend’s grandmother to make me blush. “Hi, ma’am. Grayson Garrison.”
Stretching out my hand, she takes it, giving me one firm shake. Handing her the bouquet I picked up for River, she waves me off. “You didn’t bring those for me, so don’t pretend you did. My granddaughter might like those, but I prefer chocolates.”
I can only laugh as she leads us into the house, straight to the kitchen, where River is working between various pots and pans.
The house is cozy, decorated in hunter green and cream. A place that I would consider homey, unlike mine and River’s houses. Every wall displays pictures of the family: smiling and toothless children, adventures, nights at the rodeo, and Christmas day. It’s impossible to take each one in, but it’s easy to spot River with her being the only girl.
“Ginger, your beau is here. You didn’t tell me he came with all these muscles.”
“Gran!” River warns, spinning around to face us. “Gray, I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Just let me know if muscles aren’t your thing. I’ll ditch them in a heartbeat.”
River shakes her head, wiping her hands on a dishcloth before making her way to me. There’s no hesitation as her arms wrap around my neck, her mouth pressing to mine. The kiss is brief as our bodies rock together. “I missed you this week.” Her words barely above a whisper.
“I missed you, too, baby. But why don’t we focus on the cooking for now?”
“Don’t stop on my account,” River’s grandmother snorts, returning to crocheting what looks like a miniature sweater.
“Gran,” River groans, dropping her forehead to my chest. “Please behave tonight.”
“Hmm, you must be talking to your other grandmother. Oh wait, I’m it. I think I’ll continue making the boy blush. How is he going to watch you give birth if he can’t handle compliments?”
“Adelle Edna Thompson! Please, for the love of all that is holy, stop.”
