Chapter 17

17

Mason

I leaned against the fence, watching Walker guide the chestnut mare through a series of gentle paces. The horse’s coat gleamed in the late afternoon sun, muscles rolling like liquid under her skin. Walker had a handle on equine therapy like no one else, and it was something to see.

“Damn, he’s good,” I murmured, more to myself than to Gray who stood beside me, arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Sure is,” Gray agreed, tipping his cowboy hat back slightly to get a better look. “Horses just calm down around him.”

“Like magic,” I added, the corner of my mouth lifting as Walker effortlessly led the horse into a trot, her gait smoothing out with each step. “Glad you finally changed your mind and let him do his thing.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Gray wasn’t one to admit when we was wrong, so that was about as good as I knew I’d get. He was dead against Walker heading up a new division on the ranch, because, well, Walk had a tendency of never following through with much. But he’d changed, and he’d proven himself.

The two of us fell silent for a moment, the only sounds those of the ranch – distant calls of other workers, the clink of metal from the barn, the soft thud of hooves on dirt.

Gray broke the silence, turning his blue gaze on me. “You know, Mase, you’ve looked a helluva lot less stressed these days.”

“Have I?” My gaze flicked to him, pretending to be surprised. It wasn’t news to me; I felt it in my bones, the ease that hadn’t been there for years.

“Yep.” He nodded once, firmly. “Seems hiring Chloe was a damn fine idea.”

My heart did a little skip at the mention of her name, but I played it cool. “She’s good with Abigail. And she’s got the schedule down.”

“Uh-huh.” Gray’s lips twitched in a barely-there smile. “And cozying up at the Fall Festival didn’t hurt none either, huh?”

Cozy. That was one way to put it. Felt like my whole damn world tilted when she gave into that kiss. But I wasn’t about to give Gray the satisfaction of seeing me squirm.

“Didn’t hear you complaining about all the pie you snuck off my plate while we were ‘cozying up’,” I shot back, keeping my tone light.

“Hey, someone had to help you out. Seems like you had your hands full.” His chuckle was low, almost inaudible, but it was there alright.

“Very funny,” I said, but couldn’t help the grin that pulled at my lips. Talking with Gray always did that—no matter how deep in the mud I got, he’d find a way to drag me out with a laugh or a well-placed jab.

“Seriously though, Mason,” Gray clapped a hand on my shoulder, grounding me back to the moment. “It’s good to see you happy.”

“Well, don’t go gettin’ all sentimental on me, now.”

“Me? Never. ”

I laughed, but fidgeted with my hat. “Still. It’s complicated.”

“Hmm,” was all he said.

I leaned against the fence, arms crossed, watching Walker guide the mare around the corral. The horse moved with grace under his command—something calming about the rhythm of it all. A perfect distraction from the turmoil twisting up my insides.

I exhaled slowly, watching a cloud of breath dissipate in the cool air. “Alright, asshole. You got me.” I admitted, the words feeling like boulders rolling off my tongue. “I can’t . . . hell, Gray, I’ve fallen for her. Hard.”

“Ah.” It was a knowing sound, one that usually preceded some sage advice or a swift kick in the rear, metaphorically speaking.

“Yep.” I pushed off the fence, pacing a few steps before turning back. “And I ain’t got the first clue what to do about it.”

“Man, if that ain’t the?—“

“Looks like love’s got Mase by the balls!” Walker’s voice cut through the air, a mix of amusement and brotherly concern woven into his words as he sauntered over, dust kicking up from his boots.

“Damn it, Walker, not helping,” I grumbled, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me, twitching with the start of a smile.

“Come on, you know you’re happier these days. Even Abigail’s noticed,” Walker added, stepping closer, his gaze flicking to the mare with pride.

“Can’t argue with that,” I conceded, watching the horse circle once more. My little girl’s laughter echoed in my mind—laughter that came more often now, thanks to Chloe.

“Besides,” Walker continued, slapping me on the back, “you deserve someone who makes you smile like you did at the festival. Lord knows that bear you won her is gettin’ more hugs than you these days. ”

“Real funny,” I shot back, but couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through my chest at the thought of Chloe hugging that oversized toy.

“Then what’s holding you back?” Gray nudged my arm, sending a knowing glance my way.

“Guess I’m scared,” I confessed, the words tasting like old whiskey—sharp with truth.

Walker scoffed. “Scared? Mason Bridges, you’re the bravest guy I know. Took on that coyote that tried to kill our chickens at twelve years old with nothing but a piece of rebar.”

“Facing down coyotes is one thing,” I said. “But this . . .” I trailed off, unsure how to explain that love felt like the biggest risk of all.

“Hey,” Walker clapped a hand on my shoulder, “you’re not alone, remember? We’ve all been there.”

I looked from one face to another—these men, my friends who’d become brothers. They knew all about scraped knuckles and bruised hearts, even if the latter seemed surprising at first glance.

“Look, Mason,” Gray said, stepping closer, his tone taking on a rare edge of seriousness. “You’ve been through a lot. But you can’t let fear call the shots forever.”

“Easy to say,” I muttered, the weight of past heartache and feelings of worthlessness heavy on my shoulders. “It’s just complicated. And that’s besides the fact that she works for me now. And she’s my tenant. And probably a good eight years too young for me.”

“Ya know, Mason,” Walker began without looking up from the reins, “Caroline and I, we weren’t exactly a sure bet either.”

A snort escaped me. “That’s an understatement.”

“Hey now,” he protested with a chuckle, “I’m serious. Remember how she used to be? Doc Cressley’s shy little girl, back from med school all grown-up and sophisticated. Me? Just a cowboy with more charm than sense.” He paused, securing the horse before facing us. “But sometimes, it’s about digging past the surface, finding that connection despite all the odds.”

“Sounds like a fairytale,” I said, but my skepticism was waning. Watching him with Caroline lately, anyone could see the change in him.

“More like a comedy of errors at first,” Walker admitted with a grin. “But worth every awkward moment.”

“Must’ve been some magic in those errors.” Gray chimed in, his arms crossed as he nodded knowingly. The fading light caught the edges of his stubble, highlighting his normally stern features in a softer glow.

“Magic?” Walker cocked an eyebrow. “Try sheer determination. My own. And look at us now.”

“Speaking of magic . . .” Gray cut in, his tone shifting slightly, “remember when I first met Eryn?”

“Hard to forget,” I replied, recalling the stir that had caused around town.

“City girl, yoga guru, and social media sensation,” he mused. “And there’s me, covered in dust most days, happier on the back of a horse than in front of a camera. I thought I hated her. But that first kiss . . . Damn.” His voice trailed off, a rare smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“Best decision you ever made?” I ventured.

“Without a doubt.” Gray’s eyes lit up, the way they always did when Eryn was involved. “Different worlds, but somehow it just works. She sees right through this gruff exterior.”

“Guess love doesn’t care much for expectations,” Walker added, tipping his hat back with that familiar ease.

“Or logic,” I mumbled under my breath, thinking of Chloe’s bright laughter and the way my heart seemed to tune itself to her rhythm.

“Exactly,” Gray agreed, a glint of mischief in his blue eyes. “Logic’s got no place in matters of the heart.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” I sighed, feeling the last of my resistance beginning to crumble like dry earth beneath a steady rain.

“Point is,” Walker said, clapping me on the shoulder, “you’ll never know unless you go for it. Like Gray and I did.”

“Right.” A deep breath filled my lungs, steadying my resolve. Maybe it was time to stop circling the edge and just dive in.

“Go on then,” Gray urged, tilting his head toward the house where I’d parked my truck. “Before that bear gets any more action than you do.”

“Alright, alright,” I conceded, pushing off from the fence. My boots crunched on the gravel path as I started toward the promise of something new, uncertain yet thrilling.

“Good luck, loverboy!” Walker called after me, his teasing tone getting lost on the wind.