by Mignon Mykel
“What?” Her forehead scrunches together the way it always has when she’s deep in thought.
“I was seven. My dad insisted I needed to learn how to ride and swore that Bacon was safe to ride on. He wasn’t. Your mom kept me from getting hurt but put herself in danger to save my life. I remember the whole thing. She’d still be here today if she had only let me go.”
Lindsey blinks a few times and wipes her eyes. “That can’t be right. Dad always said it was a young girl,” she pauses. “Wait. Have they known all this time? Garrett is that why you came here, why you took a job with us when you turned eighteen? Tell me my family hasn’t been lying to me and forcing you to pay some unfair penance for something so far beyond your control.”
I shake my head. “The only person that I’ve ever talked about it with is Kevin. And before you go running out of her to read him the riot act, he only found out after you left for college. I couldn’t take it anymore. I told him. I begged him not to tell your family because I was afraid I’d lose everything I’d worked for. You all took me in and treated me like family. I had a job and a place in this world. If I lost that, well, Lord knows where I’d be. When I showed up here at 16, it was because my father was in jail and I needed to make things right, but I didn’t want anyone to know. I was afraid everyone would hate me.”
“Garrett.”
“I told you, I’m not the man you think I am.”
Lindsey begins laughing hysterically. “Oh, Garrett. You’re such a damn fool.”
I don’t get her laughter, but I have to agree, “You’re right. I know I am.”
She stands and walks over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and looking up at me. “Garrett Everleigh, you cannot blame yourself for what happened to my mother. You don’t owe us anything. You owe yourself peace.”
I shake my head. “No. I wasn’t ready to ride, much less jump. Not but a long shot. And I was always afraid of Bacon. I should have fought my dad harder, ya know?”
“You were seven!” She pokes my chest. “Garrett, you were a goddamn child. You’re not responsible for anything that happened that day and I can promise you, no one in my family would blame you.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” I shrug.
“Okay. Take Kevin, for example. What was his reaction?”
This time I chuckle. “Actually, Kevin told me he already knew, but he never said how he knew.”
“And did he blame you?”
“No. He said the same things you did.”
“See. This is why you’re a fool,” Lindsey smiles up at me. “Garrett, what happened to my mom was a freak accident. It’s a risk that comes with doing what we do. Is that why you’ve been paying towards my sponsorships and why you paid for my family to fly to the games in Rio?”
“Not really.”
“Hm.” Then why did you do all of that?”
I already took one chance tonight, I might as well take another. “Because I love you.”
A grin lights her entire face and she pushes up on to her tiptoes to kiss me. I’m about to pick her up and carry her out of here when the tack room door slides open and Kevin’s laughter bellows out.
“Oh, this is perfect. It took you two long enough. And. You’re both welcome, by the way.”
Lindsey at least has the decently to look a little embarrassed, but she’s not letting go of me.
“We’re welcome for what exactly?” She askes.
“Dad saw the lights still on and was going to come out here to investigate. I had a feeling when I saw you wander off to the barn and said I’d do it before I went to bed.”
Lindsey’s face flushes. “Better you than Dad for sure.”
“Well, Garrett, I guess you’ll be bringing your new lady friend to dinner tomorrow night?” Kevin smirks.
“Wait. You’re okay with this?” I ask in disbelief.
“Treat her right and we don’t have a problem.” He answers. “Now, a word of advice? Let me take Lindsey back to the house for the night. You two can sneak around once you’ve told everyone else.”
6
Lindsey
I probably should have talked to Garrett first, but since I’m having a breakfast meeting at the local coffee shop with Gramps and Dad this morning, I figured I’d get my questions out of the way first then we could decide together how to tell my family we’re a couple. I mean, if we are a couple.
We haven’t exactly had a chance to talk since Kevin essentially tucked me into bed last night like some school kid.
“There’s my beautiful Granddaughter,” Gramps says with a kiss to my cheek before sitting down across from me.
My dad takes the other seat beside Gramps. “Baby girl, I think we’ve got some good news for you.”
“I can’t wait to hear it, but I wanted to talk to you both about something before we start talking business.” I pause until the waitress pours us each a cup of coffee and takes our order. When she walks away, I start again. “How much do you both really know about Garrett?”
In my mind, I was going to tell them what he’d told me, but the more I thought about it, I need to know how much they really knew all this time. And why they withheld that information.
The two men across from me exchange nervous glances and I know my original hunch was right.
“You two already know he was the kid mom was working with when she died,” I say for them.
Dad clears his throat and speaks first. “When he first came to the ranch as a teen and started helping out, we didn’t know. He was part of a work-study program through the vocational school, so we didn’t bother looking into anything. When he graduated and actually applied for a job with us, your grandmother did her due diligence, just like she would with any other employee. Because it was a minor at the time of the accident, his name was retracted from the news articles related to what happened to your mom, and honestly, we’d all worked hard to put it behind us. But, his father’s name came up in her search as well as his arrest record. That’s when she made the connection. At that point, none of us thought it mattered. Garrett had proven himself to us over and over again, and we knew he was nothing like his father - who he also hadn’t had contact with in years since his uncle had been raising him.”
“Did you ever bring it up to Garrett?” I ask.
“Well, no. Didn’t seem like there was any reason to. We assumed there was a reason Garrett never brought it up and thought may even he didn’t know. Or didn’t remember. Childhood trauma sometimes causes kids to forget things.” Gramps says.
I shake my head then take a sip of my coffee.
“How did you find out?” Dad asks me.
“He told me. And as for you two...you both failed to realize that part of why Garrett stuck around was because he thought he owed the family something. He’s blamed himself since he was seven years old for what happened to Mom.”
Dad and Gramps both frown.
“Well, shit. We had no idea.” Dad says.
“Probably should have considered it, though.” Gramps rubs his chin. “Guess it’s time to have a talk with the boy.”
I certainly wasn’t expecting that.
“I’m sure he’d appreciate it.” I nod.
“Bet that’s why he’s been donating to your sponsorship,” Dad adds.
Gramps smirks. I start to speak up, but he beats me to it. “Nah, William. I think that’s for a totally different reason. We should probably talk to him about that too.”
“Oh, my God. You two knew Garrett was helping to sponsor me too?”
“Listen here, girlie. I might be old, but I’m not dead,” Gramps laughs. “Everyone at Addington Ranch had the chance to donate. Almost everyone did. Some, more than others.”
I grumble in frustration. “Unbelievable. What is it with you men?”
The waitress returns with our food and we eat in silence for a little bit.
“Now that we got that out of the way. Let’s chat about the investor that I’ve been in contact with. There’s a
place out East called The Mason Center and they’ve got an equine therapy program. Their director, Olivia Pheonix, has been looking to expand and wants to meet with you.” Dad pushes back his plate while he tells me more.
“Hm. I hadn’t really considered a full-service therapy center. And honestly, I’d been hoping to keep it on Addington property if we could. Do we have room for something like that?” I look over at Gramps for an answer.
“Let’s set up a meeting. See what she thinks we’re looking at, space-wise, and go from there. I might be able to find another few acres nearby if we need to.”
“Your Grandfather is right. One step at a time, I say.” Dad chimes in and hands me Olivia’s contact information. “Give her a call or send her an email when you’ve got a chance.”
7
Garrett
It’s late evening when I finally make it back to the barn with Domino after repairing part of the fence line along the far end of the private residence property line where a tree had fallen.
I’ve already missed dinner and I’m sure by now Lindsey thinks I’m avoiding her again. In a way, I am, but only because I want to talk with the eldest Addington men before anything else happens between me and Lindsey. If anything else happens.
I laid awake all night, deciding how I was going to handle everything and praying that Lindsey wouldn’t wake up hating me this morning. Her absence at breakfast made me nervous and when Kevin pulled me to the side to tell me she was having breakfast in town with her dad and grandfather, I didn’t feel any better about my odds.
Moving slowly out of pure exhaustion, I untack Domino and brush him down before putting him in his tall for the night with some freshwater and grain.
By the time I make it to the top of the steps leading to my loft, I’m ready to pass out.
The door is unlocked and the hair on the back of my neck stands. Out of habit, I always lock the door even though I know the Addington’s have a master key. They’ve never just let themselves in, though. I slowly open the door, more than a little worried about what I might find waiting for me, but as soon as it’s all the way open, Lindsey’s stunning form fills my line of sight.
“Breaking and entering? Really, Linds?” I tease, hoping that this isn’t a bad sign.
“You missed dinner. Kev said you and Austin were working on the fence and wanted to get done. I figured you still needed to eat when you got back.”
The urge to kiss her is like a magnetic pull. I may be a thousand steps ahead of myself, but it would be all to easy for me to get used to the idea of coming home to Lindsey in my space every day.
“I appreciate you thinking of me. I should probably hop in the shower real quick and get all this dirt off.” I tell her while my feet are still planted firmly in place near the door. Over and over again, I remind myself that I want to do the right thing by her, even though I want to do all the very inappropriate things right now.
Lindsey grabs the end of her t-shirt and flings it over her heard, letting it drop to the floor. “Hm. You look like you could use a little help.”
“Linds,” I groan. She’s not making this easy for me. In fact, she’s making things pretty damn hard.
“Let me go warm up the shower awhile,” she teases before stripping out of her cowboy boots and jeans and sauntering her perfectly shaped ass to my bathroom.
One. Two. Three. I try counting in my head while I debate what to do. I can only be a gentleman for so long and when she sticks one hand out of the bathroom door to ceremoniously drop her bra and panties to the floor, the last of my resolve crumbles.
I toe off my boots and nearly trip trying to get my pants off as I rush through the loft and into the bathroom where she’s waiting for me. Scooping her into my arms, her legs wrap around my waist and I carry us both into the warm shower. As the water cascades down my body, I pin her to the wall and give in to what want we both want. Thank fuck she doesn’t seem to mind when I’m all hot and sweaty.
Once I’ve made her come, I pull out and jerk myself until my own release coats her tan stomach. Then I take my time getting her nice and clean. By the time she returns the favor and rubs her magical fingers all over my body, I’m ready to go again. This time, I dry us both off and spread her out in my bed.
Dinner can wait. Right now, I only want dessert.
The next morning my alarm clock buzzes. Lindsey snuggles a little closer, pressing her warm and naked body against mine. I’m caught between sheer panic and absolute happiness with her here by my side. I’ve never let anyone sleepover before. I was always the one crashing at their place when I dated in the past. But that’s not why I’m on edge. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully enjoy being with Lindsey and having her around until I’ve got her father and grandfather’s blessing.
When her hand wanders lower down my chest, over my abs, and wraps around my cock, everything else falls away, though.
Almost.
Until my cell phone rings and Neville’s name flashes across the screen. Pushing her hand away, I jump from the bed and answer the phone call, putting as much distance between us as possible as if I’ve just gotten caught.
“Garrett.”
“Morning, Sir.”
“William and I wanted to have a word with you right quick, before breakfast, and before you get started for the day. We’ll be waiting in the office. Come see us before you head to the house.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll be down in just a few minutes.”
“Sounds good. Quit calling me, Sir, for I whoop your ass boy.”
I let out a nervous laugh.
“Oh. And one more thing, Garrett.”
“Yes.”
“Tell my granddaughter, Harriet, is looking for her. Needs some help with the biscuits this morning.”
Oh fuck. I scramble to come up with something to say back to that. Something that isn’t a lie but isn’t an omission that Lindsey spent the night. I’ve got nothing. A click on the other end gives me a temporary reprieve.
I flop back down on my side of the bed and put my head in my hands. I’ve got about ten minutes before I face my fate. Somehow I just know this is going to be the end of it. They’ll fire me and tell me to get the hell off their property.
Lindsey’s smooth hands rub my shoulders and I can feel her chuckling behind me. “Problems, cowboy?”
“Pretty sure I’m about to face the firing squad.” I sink back into her touch and enjoy my last few seconds as a free man.
“What do you mean?”
“Neville said to tell you Harriet needs your help with the biscuits this morning. He and your father have summoned me to a meeting before breakfast too. I need to get going.”
Lindsey giggles. “I’m so sure Grams needs help with the biscuits. Nosey ol’ bird.”
“You’re not worried that they know you’re up here?” I groan.
“I’m an adult and make my own choices. Right now, I’m choosing to give you one peck on the cheek and go help Grams with the biscuits.” She climbs out of bed and walks around to me, doing just as she promised before getting dressed in last night’s clothes. “I’ll see you at the breakfast table.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” I mumble as she walks away.
Moving as quickly as I can, I get ready for the day and head down to face my fate.
Neville is sitting behind the desk and William is leaning against the wall when I walk in, shutting the door behind me. William reaches for an extra cup of coffee and hands it to me.
“Splash of half and half, no sugar. Did I get it right?”
I try to relax and give him a thankful smile. “You did. Thank you.”
“Garrett have a seat,” Neville points to the chairs in front of the desk. “And for the love of God, don’t be so damn nervous.”
“That’s a little easier said than done…” I pause, nearly about to call him Sir again. “I waited to talk with you both and I swear I had plans to, sooner rather than later.”
“You planning on quitting?” Nevi
lle gets serious for a moment.
“Only if I need to.”
“Son. We’re not firing you,” William chimes in. “As Dad said, relax. Yesterday something came to our attention and we wanted to talk with you about it. In fact, we should have talked to you about it around the time we hired you.”
Shit.
“Garrett, we didn’t know who you were the first time you came to the ranch. We figured it out when we hired you full time but never said anything because we thought you either didn’t remember or you wanted to forget. But seems that’s where the problem is,” Neville says.
William pipes up and squeezes my shoulder, “You’re in no way responsible for what happened to Annie. Nor do you owe us anything.”
“If I had known you felt this way all along…” Neville hesitates and his voice goes soft. “Well, I wouldn’t have let you carry the burden all these years and for that, I’m real damn sorry.”
“I wasn’t ready to ride. And even I knew that horse was too much. My dad, he wouldn’t listen,” I do my not to choke up in front of these two men. I don’t cry and I’m damn sure not about to break down here.
“Son, you were seven. He was the adult and he put you in harm’s way. Listen to me...you are not responsible for what happened. We’ve never blamed you. And to be honest, sure we were angry in the beginning, but we never blamed your father either. Because even the best horses can have bad days. What happened to Annie was an accident. No one could have predicted it.” Neville pulls out his handkerchief and dabs his eyes. “Annie died doing what she loved and she wouldn’t want you sitting here feeling sorry about it.”
“But she pulled me off of that horse and if she had just let me fall…”
“Then an innocent child would have gotten hurt and she wouldn’t have been able to live with that,” William tells me, a matter of factly. “And since we’re all coming clean today, Neville wasn’t exactly honest when he said that we didn’t know who you were at sixteen.”
Neville grunts. “What the hell did you do, William?”