Page 83 of Braving the Storm

“Oh, really?” My eyebrows scrunch, looking between the two of them.

“He was rescued a few years back. Bastards used to thrash him, and now his current folks are trying to find the best-fit home for him.”

“God, people are awful.” I want to cry. This beautiful horse didn’t do anything, certainly not to be abused.

“You’re not wrong there.”

“He’s so lovely, why would anyone do something so horrible?”

Lucas lets out a little puff of a breath, something like a laugh.

“Our boy here didn’t deserve any of it… which is why he’s such an asshole now. I’ll forgive him for being such a sour bastard, but those bruises take a while to heal.”

“Bruises?”

He clicks his tongue, and squints at the horse I’m practically cuddling. “Your best friend over here has bitten every one of us repeatedly, and even got a good kick-in on my son, Brad, when he was unloading him the day he arrived.”

My mouth hangs open, eyes bounce between the face still nudging against my touch, and Lucas.

“You’re joking.”

“Nothing funny about a horse bite, trust me.” He considers me for a second, then dips his chin toward a bucket sitting on the floor at my feet. “Hell, since you two are gettingon so well, might as well give him a groom up down the sides of his neck and if you can reach his shoulders. Stay on this side of the door, mind you, but if he’ll let you keep handling him, might as well give his mane and coat a brush while you’re there.”

I nod. “I’d like to try. Seems like it’d be just as therapeutic for me as it might be for him.”

“Horses are some of the best therapy out there.”

Lucas goes to walk away, then turns back.

“Though, don’t ever own one, or you’ll be horse-poor for the rest of your life.” He whirls a finger in the air, gesturing at the stables we’re standing in amongst and what I’m sure consumes his life, considering all the work that goes into running a ranch like this.

While I’ve only really seen Devil’s Peak Ranch up close, I already know how much work is involved with their day-to-day operations. This place has even more horses than they do to look after.

As I grab the brush from the bucket on the floor, Teddy watches me silently, following me with his neck dipping down to mirror my movements.

When I straighten up, I show him the grooming brush, and he gives it a thorough examination before a huff of approval comes out those big nostrils.

Before getting started, I pull my phone out, snap a quick photo, and send a message to Storm to let him know where I’ve been side-tracked to.

Made a new friend.

IMAGE ATTACHED.

He’s very handsome.

Do I need to be concerned about havingcompetition?

He asked if I could give him a brush.

Lucky asshole.

You don’t mind if I hang out here for a little while?

Take all the time you want, darlin’.

Chapter 27

I’m somehow meant to sit through an entire evening with dinner and newfound friends, and not stare at my uncle, who will most likely be seated directly across from me in one of the booths lining this bar withplease-rail-me senselesseyes.