“As she always does,” Harlan grunted as he spread golden, fluffy eggs out onto a tray. My stomach tightened as hunger moved through me, sharp and insistent. I didn't eat much at dinner last night, so I was definitely going to have to double my serving this morning.
Then again, I would eat less if it meant Tanner got more food.
I'd already begun to think of him as mine, even though there was no indication that he would be. The assumption should have scared me, but instead it felt… right. Natural, like breathing.
Atticus cleared his throat. "So Tanner showed up…"
"Yeah," I said. "I saw the headlights from the stables and came up to the house to see who it was. He sat in the car, and I swear to you, he looked like he'd seen a ghost. He didn't even know I was standing there for several seconds." I paused, remembering the devastation in his eyes. "He said he just needed to get away, and this was the place he chose. I showed him to the empty guest room, and since he didn't bring any bags with him, I figured he might need to change clothes."
I waved the bundle in my arms, as if that explained everything. It was a reasonable enough explanation. Except, really, there was more to my desire to give him clothing.
My clothing.
I waited to see what they would say next, my pulse thrumming in my ears. Sean poked Atticus in the shoulder, and they shared some type of silent conversation, staring deep into each other's eyes—that wordless communication that came from years of intimacy and trust.
The sound of bacon sizzling in the background further heightened the tension bleeding through me. They wouldn't be upset that Tanner was here. They surely wouldn't care that I gave him a room to sleep in.
But maybe me bringing my own clothes up was the bad part—too revealing, too intimate.
I had meant to text them last night about Tanner's arrival, but I'd forgotten. I was too swept up in the sweet man and the dark shadows looming over him. Too focused on making sure he was okay to remember anything else.
Eventually, Atticus turned back to me. "We're not upset about anything. We're worried. Tanner showing up unannounced is not like him. He always at least calls or something." He leaned forward slightly. "Why don't you take him his clothes and let him know breakfast is ready? Hopefully he's had enough sleep. If not, he can nap later."
"Naps are great," Sean said around a mouthful of food.
Harlan and I chuckled as Atticus shook his head fondly. "Eat, boy, and don't talk with your mouth full."
Sean rolled his eyes but did as his husband said. He was also his Daddy, after all. The couple, as well as the others on the ranch, didn't hide their preferences. Though they had no clue that I was one of them too. I had no need to share the news since I was single and not intending to be with anyone.
The ranch was meant to be a healing place for me, not the start of me finding new love.
Or so I'd thought.
I took the stairs two at a time until I was on the second floor, standing outside Tanner's room. My heart hammered against my ribs as I raised my hand, then knocked softly.
"Come in," he said, his voice muffled through the door.
I opened it to find him sitting up in bed, eyes bleary as he scratched his head. The clothes he wore—the remnants of his suit—were wrinkled beyond repair, twisted from sleep.
"Simon," he said, his voice heavy with sleep.
It hit me how intimate this moment was. How seeing him this way was a gift. One that I would treasure immensely. His hair was mussed, his defenses down, and his face soft in the morning light filtering through the curtains.
"Hey, bud," I said, the endearment slipping out before I could stop it. "I brought you some clothes. Figured you might want a shower. I'm sure they'll be a bit big on you, but they'll last for now until we can get you something better suited."
He smiled as his cheeks turned bright pink, the color spreading down his neck. "Thank you. I have a bag in my car, but it's another suit. I didn't really plan to be here long, and there’s never reason enough to need plain clothes as a backup.”
I stepped further into the room and eased the clothes down onto the edge of the bed. I put my hands in my back pockets and rocked on my heels, suddenly nervous.
"Well, this is a ranch, so you're gonna definitely need some workwear if you intend to be here for a while. I'm sure some of the other guys might have things that fit you better. If not, we can take a quick trip back into town to get you something, or maybe run by your place."
It was then I realized I didn't even know where his place was. My face must have shown my confusion because he answered the unspoken question.
"I live on the opposite side of town." He picked at the blanket, not meeting my eyes. "I don't mind going to my place, but I worry that I'll get caught up in stuff again if I'm there. That, or I'll decide coming back isn't worth it. I really wish someone else could go get me some clothes," he mumbled.
Was this an opportunity? Could I prove to him that I was someone who knew how to take care of him with this simple act?
Before I could overanalyze it or second-guess myself, I blurted out, "I'll go get it for you."
