Page 83 of Forsaken Hearts
She issued a breathless laugh. “I’m going to have to disinfect the counters.”
His grin spread across her shoulder. “You spray and I’ll wipe.”
She giggled. “This is what people call morning glory.”
He slid his hand lazily up her thighs and lifted his gaze to hers. Heat still simmered in the depths.
“This is what people call love.”
Chapter Fourteen
Truman’s service dog spotted Pope before Truman did.
Ranger lifted his head from where he sat at attention beside his owner. He didn’t bark or run forward with tail wagging the way the ranch dogs did.
“Ranger looks like your parking offended him,” Summer joked from the passenger seat. She climbed out of the truck, a travel mug of coffee in hand.
Pope snorted under his breath and stepped out into crisp mountain air carrying the scents of horses, pine and fresh hay. Morning sunlight spilled gold across the land and birdsong filled the air, punctuated by the noise of impatient stomping inside the trailer.
Truman set a hand on Ranger’s head and spoke a quiet word to him.
From the corner of Pope’s eye, he saw Ayla climb out of her Jeep and start toward the security office. Her vibrant red hair caught the sun and lit like a halo around her face.
Spotting their gathering, she stopped to talk. “Does this count on the ranch as a water cooler meeting?” She threw each one of them a smile, meeting their eyes.
When she reached Truman, he dipped his head and scuffed a boot in the dirt. The man wasn’t always social, and this must be one of those mornings.
Ayla lowered her own gaze to her shoes, red streaking up her throat into her cheeks and making her freckles stand out more.
Summer jumped in to rescue her from the awkward moment. She pushed out a small laugh. “I guess it is a ranch meeting.”
Ayla sent her a small smile and looked toward the trailer. “You loaded up for the auction?”
Pope nodded. “We’re headed there now. I was hoping to beat the crowd.” He’d attended a few auctions but never had any skin in the game. He’d be lying if he didn’t carry a nest of nerves buzzing in his chest.
Hearing his voice, Flint stomped harder, making the metal gong.
Pope moved to the trailer and slipped his hand through the cutout in the side. “Easy. I’m not marching you to your execution.”
Ayla and Summer shared a laugh, and Truman stepped toward the trailer. Ranger stood at his owner’s side as they chatted about how much money Flint might go for on the auction block.
The ladies drifted over. Ayla pressed her palms to the side of the trailer and leaned on tiptoe to try to peek in at Flint. She was too petite to see in and dropped back to her heels.
She dusted her hands together and turned to them again. “Well, I’d better head inside. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me today. We have some new guys joining the program next month.” She tried to catch Truman’s gaze but gave up after a beat and threw them all a wave as she walked away.
Flint stomped again, and this time Summer spoke some soothing words to him. She sliced a look at Pope. “I still feel bad he has to go. Are you sure you want to sell him?”
His chest tightened at the question. He’d been going back and forth—to sell the horse he’d put so much of his time, energy and care into, or not. He hadn’t slept more than a few hours lastnight knowing the moment was coming when he’d hand over the reins to the highest bidder.
The whole prospect brought mixed feelings. Flint had provided something to look forward to, something to keep his mind off his own troubles.
He’d helped Pope heal.
But he wouldn’t be on the Black Heart forever. He was part of the security team and would spend time here, but ever since he started watching over Summer and Ben, he’d had to leave Flint’s care to some of the others on the ranch, and that wasn’t right.
He kept reminding himself that he wasn’t abandoning the horse—he was doing what was ultimately best for him.
Besides, things were progressing with Summer. After this was all over—and they found out who was responsible for sending groceries before stabbing her tire and then swooping in to play her hero—Pope wanted to stay closer to Summer and Ben. Which meant getting a place in Willowbrook… maybe moving in with them when the time was right.
