Page 70 of Wilde Flame

I smiled. “Cold forging still?”

“I can’t stand using a hot forge. Plus, the smoke smells like horse shit, so then I walk around smelling like that all the time.”

She made a horse noise as she got back to work.

“You speaking to her?”

Laughing, she said, “Why do you think they trust me so much? They think I’m a horse.”

“Would you ever see yourself doing something else?”

Ensley straightened and looked at me with a curious expression. “Never. I love my job. Why are you asking me all these questions?”

I shrugged. “We don’t talk much.”

Her brows drew down. “Caden…is everything okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

She motioned around her. “You’re asking questions like I’m a stranger.”

I sighed. “We used to be so close, Ensley. I told you everything, and you did the same. But I feel like for the last few years, I’ve pushed everyone away. I guess I’m just tired of doing that.”

Winking, she said, “You’re tired of being a grumpy asshole, you mean.”

“Something like that.”

She went back to work. “Can I be honest about something?”

“Always,” I said, as I bent and handed her the hammer.

After she pounded in a few nails, she looked up at me. “You’ve changed. In a good way. And I can’t help but notice that it was after Lilibeth spent a couple days trapped in that snowstorm with you.”

I couldn’t help the smirk on my face as she raised her brows.

“She’s part of the reason, yes. I think…after spending those days with her, she helped me move on from the hold that Rachel had over me.”

“That’s good.”

I nodded. “It is.”

“There’s nothing there between you guys?”

“Oh, there’s something between us. But we both decided it was best to walk away while we’re still friends.”

The sound of a horse riding up made me look over my shoulder…only to see the very object of our conversation.

“Speaking of,” Ensley mumbled with a slight laugh.

I watched as Lilibeth rode up and dismounted right outside the barn. She looked our way and waved.

“Hey, Lilibeth!” Ensley called out.

Marshall walked out and took the horse from her. She thanked him and started our way.

“How was the ride?” I asked, frowning as she grew closer. She looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes. And I’d swear she also looked like she’d lost weight over the last five days, since I’d seen her in Granby at the Greek restaurant.

“It was good. I needed the fresh air.”