“Good.” Jude left the bed to search for clothes in a dresser near the closet doors. The room was a friendly shade of blue, and the bed had certainly been comfortable enough. Sunlight streamed in from a large window draped in sheer white curtains. After we were both dressed, Jude frowned, likely thinking toohard again. “I’d offer a real breakfast, but I’m low on supplies. Cereal before we leave?”
“Sure.” I followed him downstairs to the kitchen. The large farmhouse kitchen was quaint with plenty of vintage appeal. Unlike his more modern bedroom, Jude didn’t appear to have touched the space since losing his parents.
He fetched us bowls and one of those quasi-healthy cereals with a zoomed-in picture of big clumps of grains on the front of the box. We ate in relative silence before heading to his truck. The early morning air was chilly, a sign that fall was on its way, and I rubbed my bare arms. I flipped on the truck’s heater before fiddling with the stereo.
I let a few songs pass, but as we approached the ranch, I remembered Jude’s invite to dinner.
“We still on for tonight?” I kept my voice light, figuring the repeat was a given, but wanting to confirm.
“Yep.” A slow smile crept across Jude’s face as he turned for the ranch. “I’ve got more steak. I can pick you up after my last call.”
“That works.” I hated being reliant on him for rides, but that situation was what it was. I had a re-evaluation with my doctor coming up, but I continued to temper my hopes.
Jude parked near the horse barn. No other hands were in sight, but the clock on the dashboard said breakfast at the bunkhouse was likely finished. I settled for a meaningful nod as I exited Jude’s truck. Didn’t want to make my arrival back any more noteworthy than it was.
I also didn’t let myself watch Jude’s retreat as I made my way to the barn, ready to get to mucking. I’d worry about a shower and a change of clothes later. I also needed to check on Linus before I started work. However, right as I reached the main barn door, Colt appeared, looking all official in his sheriff’s uniform.
Damn it.I’d been so close to avoiding the gallop of shame. I forced a smile. “Morning.”
“Morning.” The greeting was casual enough, but the curiosity in Colt’s eyes gave him away. “Heard you had a late night with Jude.”
“Injured horse call went long.” I managed to deliver the explanation smoothly, which was a minor win, even if Colt’s expression stayed intent.
“And it was easier to sleep there?” He narrowed his gaze at me, so I narrowed mine right back.
“I got a curfew now?”
“No, of course not.” Colt held up his hands. “I’m glad you’re making friends. And I’m sure Jude appreciated your help with the horse.”
“Yep.” I set my jaw, bracing for further questioning.
“Have you been going to that support group with him?” Sure enough, Colt was in full-on interrogation mode.
“Colt.” I gritted out his name, sorely tempted to do like our mother and use his full name. “Chill.”
“Sorry. None of my business.” Colt said the words, but I was far from convinced he meant them. “I’m happy you’re settling in. Kat says you’re doing amazing work with that horse.”
“Trying.” My tone stayed strained despite the compliment. I was ready to send Colt on his way. “Linus is a good horse.”
“Guess you’re a real cowboy now, favorite horse and all.” Colt chuckled as if the leap from sergeant to ranch hand were comedy gold. “You always did have a way with animals.”
“Thanks.” My voice was drier than hay.
“You want to come over for dinner tonight?” Unfazed, Colt continued to smile, undoubtedly getting to the real reason for his visit to the barn before work. “I’m off at a decent hour, and Maverick is talking about making pizza with the girls.”
Crap.I didn’t want Colt any more involved in my personal life, but I also couldn’t lie. “I’ve got plans.”
“Plans?” Colt’s head tilted as he considered this impossibility.
“Plans.” I didn’t like the skepticism in his tone, but I softened my voice nonetheless. No need to pick a fight. “Sorry. Another time.”
“Okay.” Colt drew out the word before giving a slow nod. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything.”
“Yep. Appreciate it.” My tone returned to straw-level dryness. Strangely, though, as Colt walked away, I had a brief urge to confess everything to my brother. However, I wasn’t sure precisely how to describe what Jude and I had going. Friends with benefits seemed far too casual for my surge of emotions at the mere mention of his name. Moreover, Jude and I seemed equally reluctant to define what we were doing. And I’d been the one to suggest secrecy.
Jude and Colt were friends. What if Jude wouldn’t take kindly to me disclosing our fooling around? Perhaps this was more casual and short-term for him. The easy answer was to talk to Jude, but I knew I wouldn’t. Not yet. I wanted to let things play out more, enjoy the time we did have, however long that ended up being. Maybe if I waited, Jude would be the one to bring up the future. That would be the best solution to this awkward limbo land.
Resolved, I got to work on mucking out the stalls. I was faster now than I’d been back when I started. Funny the difference six weeks or so could make. Felt longer than nearly two months, a testament to how much I’d changed since my arrival.
