Chapter Seventeen

"Dammit," Grant cursed when the horse he was brushing stepped on his foot.

His ranch manager came around the corner. "Everything okay, Boss?"

Grant nodded.

"Have you talked to her yet?"

Grant set his forehead on the horse's back and shook his head. "No. I haven't heard a word from her, and every hour that goes by, I get lower."

"Have you tried to call her?" Brian asked.

"No. I told her I'd give her time."

"I don't know a lot about women, but I'd guess she'd still want you to check in with her."

"I don't want to fuck up any more than I already have," Grant said.

"Women are wonderful creatures, but we'll never understand how their minds work. I actually think it would scare the shit out of us," Brian said and smiled.

Grant snorted.

"You can't keep getting drunk and then trying to work the next day. You know you have to have your mind on what you're doing, or you'll get hurt."

"Yeah, I know. I can't sleep without the alcohol."

"I am ninety-nine percent sure that woman will forgive you. She looks at you like you're her whole world. I can't see her leaving you because she loves you so much."

"God, I hope so. I don't know what I'd do without her."

"Go see her. Just tell her you wanted to make sure she was okay or something."

Grant thought about it a moment. "I'll try."

"Good luck."

"Call if you need me," Grant said.

"I will."

Grant watched Brian walk away, patted the horse on his neck, and put the brush away before getting into his truck and driving over to Sara's.

He knew she wasn't there before he saw that her car was gone. The place seemed dull and lifeless without her in it. He stood with his hands on his hips and turned in a circle. If he hadn't had his own ranch, he would have been very happy to live on this acreage with Sara.

The thought that she might not want to sell her home and live with him kept creeping into his mind. Then what would they do? He wiped a hand down his face. Jesus, his gut felt like it was tied in knots, and the sensation grew as time went on.

He tried her phone again and then cursed when it went to voicemail.

"When I get my hands on you…" he growled.

He made his way to his truck and drove away. He decided to call Macy, one of the owners of the club he joined. He'd become friends with all of them, and he respected every one of them.

"What?" Macy answered.

Grant rolled his eyes. "Hello to you, too. I need some advice."

"I'm at the store. Do you want to meet at the café on First Street?" Macy asked.

"Yeah. I'll head there now."

Jace pulled up and saw Macy already had a booth and was waiting.

He slid into the opposite side table. "Thanks," he said when he saw the cup of coffee waiting for him.

"What's up?"

Grant pinched the bridge of his nose. "I led Sara to believe I was the manager of the ranch and not the owner?"

"Why?"

"It was an opportunity to see if I could be wanted for me and not the money," Grant said.

Macy nodded. "I get that. I know you've had problems with that in the past. So, what happened?"

"She found out somehow, three days ago."

Macy's eyebrows rose. "You've been together for what?"

"Over four months."

"Why didn't you tell her when you knew she wanted you?"

"I tried a few times, but I was afraid I'd lose her." He saw the look on his friend's face. "Yeah, I know. She was bound to find out sooner than later."

"Hell, yeah. What happened when she found out?"

"She was upset that I had lied to her the whole time."

"I don't blame her," Macy said.

"I know. I don't either. She told me she wanted a little time, and I've been trying to give it to her. My manager said I should still call to check in on her."

Macy nodded. "Yeah. Women are weird about it. She probably thinks you don't care."

"Fuck."

"Listen, I have to run, but come to the club tonight, and we'll talk more. Maybe the others will give you ideas."

"Yeah. I'll try."

Macy stood and threw down some dollar bills. "Coffee's on me," he said and grinned before walking off.

Grant grunted and finished his coffee. There were still a few hours before the club opened, so he could get a little work done in that time. It would help keep his thoughts from running wild.