“Thanks, but I’m not a vet, River,” he grunts. Knowing I won’t get much more out of him, I simply squeeze his blood-crusted thigh, and we ride home in silence.
I’ve never operated on an animal, but that had been amazing. Not only was Gray flawless in how he cared for that massive creature, he remained tender and focused, talking to it the whole time as if his voice would calm the pain. He’d been meticulous and efficient as he examined the tissues, cleaned the wound, stitched with dissolvable sutures, and bandaged the leg.
Gray was a surgeon in his own right, and I wonder if he ever considered taking his career a step further. He’s never mentioned veterinary school, and I’ve never asked. Two doctors in one household sounds like an unstoppable match, but in that way, Gray isn’t like me.
Where I’d had the ambition to be at the top of the medical food chain, he’s happy being the knowledgeable helping hand when he can be.
“Baby, you did amazing tonight,” I whisper as he pulls onto our drive. A repeat of my earlier words, but a positive affirmation he needs when his mood darkens.
He sighs heavily, parking the truck, his forehead dropping to the steering wheel. “River, nothing like that has ever happened in all the years I’ve been there overseeing the ranch hands and livestock. It’s not my official job or anything, but we’ve always caught things like that, and not once has an animal ever been hurt because of an oversight like that.”
“This isn’t your fault.” My fingers lightly squeeze against the hard muscle of his shoulder. The pieces of my heart shattering, witnessing him beat himself up unnecessarily.
“I know, it’s not. But if Tate doesn’t have good help, more shit like this is going to happen. And I can’t—”
“Listen to me. You’re not betraying your feelings about your brother by going back to help him at the ranch. If anything, you are standing behind your passion, your heart, and your values. That has nothing to do with Tate. Do I hope you two can work past this lifelong fight, yes, but that has nothing to do with you going back there and doing all the things you’ve always done.”
Sad eyes find mine, his palm snaking up my cheek. And I melt into him the way I always do. “I love you.”
“I know,” I whisper before he sweetly kisses me. A kiss, brief but full of so many unspoken words.
“I’d decided earlier tonight I was going to come back to help out. Then that happened, and I knew I needed to be there. For me. For the Millers and everyone else who has made a home at Boulder Ranch and the rodeo.”
“I’m proud of you,” I smile. “Let’s get cleaned up, okay?”
He only nods, hopping out of the truck to open my door. His arm drapes over my shoulders, mine snaking around his waist as we make our way up the front steps and into our home.
At least one of us is starting to heal. Gray’s change of heart only gives me the courage to believe that maybe I can do the same.
Maybe I can look past the prejudices I allowed others to force onto me and look beyond them to what’s important to me. Two things can exist at once. Gray has proven that tonight.
I can be a badass surgeon and still have a family with the man I’m head over heels in love with.
But for today, I will just have to admit that to myself. Unlike my boyfriend, I’m not ready to act on it.
Bright sunlight filters in through the slightly parted curtains, waking me from a sound sleep.
Checking my phone, it’s already nine.
“Fuck!” I bark, jumping out of bed.
I’d missed chores.
I’m stumbling around trying to find Gray’s sweats and one of the flannel button-ups when he appears in the doorway. One leg crosses over the other, hair still damp, smiling at me with a mug of coffee in hand.
“You didn’t wake me?” I pout.
“No, I didn’t. You were snoring like a freight train, so I figured you needed the rest.” He moves toward me with a lazy grin, placing a quick kiss on my forehead. “I took care of your babies, and I, uh, saw Tate.”
“You what?” I jerk back, nearly knocking the mug out of his hand.
“He knows I’ll be there. It wasn’t necessarily a pleasant conversation, but a necessary one.”
“What have you done with Grayson Garrison?”
He smirks, kissing my forehead again. “You might want to put on something different than that. We’re going riding.”
My feet involuntarily take several steps back. My hands raised as if warding off an attack. “Nope. One bull was enough.”
