GRACE
Since when did hay get so comfy?
I snuggled in deeper against the warm, solid presence beside me. Wait, hay isn’t comfy. Where am I?
I bolted upright. My eyes were still blurry from sleep, but through the haze, I could make out that I was no longer in the barn with Storm. I blinked a few times.
What the hell?
I looked over and saw Ty staring at me in bed, his eyebrows drawn together. “Morning, beautiful. How are you feeling?” He rubbed the backs of his knuckles up and down my bicep.
I brought my hand up to wipe it across my face and realized it was my injured wrist and winced. Stupid fall. I huffed and rubbed my eyes with my other hand. Throwing the covers off, I slid out of bed and away from Ty’s gentle touch. Irritation started to simmer in my gut. I was supposed to be in the barn tending to Storm.
“Why am I in bed?” I turned and looked at him.
“You fell asleep in the barn. We thought it best to bring you in and let you sleep. You need to relax and rest.” He sat up. “Get back in bed, Grace.”
His voice was too calm for me; it only made my irritation grow.
“How can I rest and relax when Storm is in his stall, just as injured as I am? You really expect me to just lay back down?” My voice rose with every word.
How could they think I would be okay with this? I needed to get to the barn to make sure my horse was okay. I’d have thought that out of anyone, Ty and Scott would understand.
I grabbed my shirt and awkwardly tried to throw it on, along with a pair of yoga pants I found on the floor. The brace was making things difficult, and with my mood, I was ready to rip it off.
Ty slowly made his way out of bed and shoved his feet into his own pants.
I narrowed my eyes at him when he stepped closer to me.
“Grace, we only want what’s best for you. We care for you and want to make sure you are okay.”
“What’s best for me? You want to know what’s best for me? Leaving me to take care of my horse. He’s the only thing I have left, and I can’t lose him.” My voice broke. “And you took me away from him when he needed me. I can’t let him think I’ve abandoned him and left him all alone when he’s injured and needs me the most.”
“Grace, please…” Ty called after me.
I ignored him and stomped to the back door. My boots were nowhere in sight, so I grabbed the next best thing. I shoved my feet into one of the guys’ spare boots and threw open the door. The sun was still rising in the distance as I quickly and clumsily made my way to the barn where Storm was waiting for me.
I could hear Ty following behind me, but I didn’t look back. I was too angry to care what he had to say anymore. Scott was nowhere to be seen in the house when I left, which might have been a good thing for him. He would’ve gotten an earful as well this morning if he had been.
Once I reached the barn, I slowed down and quieted my steps. The clunky boots didn’t help much, but I didn’t want to rush up on Storm and risk startling him and maybe injuring him more. Dr. Brook’s orders were to keep him calm and relaxed over the next few days so his leg would heal.
Oh. My. God. I fell asleep and missed his ice boots needing to be changed, and a second dose of anti-inflammatory meds. With each step, my stomach twisted with guilt that I had failed him.
I craned my neck as I got closer to the stall, but his stall was empty. Where was he?
I rushed the last few steps and stopped when I got to his stall door. The scene before me made my heart stop and tears spring to my eyes.
What had I done to deserve this? I should have known the guys wouldn’t have left Storm to fend for himself.
Laying on the ground was my big, beautiful gelding, asleep on the hay. My handsome cowboy, propped up against the wall, asleep as well, had Storm’s head in his lap. My heart pounded with the love that burst from it.
Scott’s hand rested on Storm’s neck and twitched. I wanted to join them, but I didn’t want to wake them, either. Scott had to be exhausted from being here all night and probably sore as all heck from sleeping in such an awkward position.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
A phone vibrated on the hay. Scott stirred, turning off the alarm on his phone. Since he hadn’t looked up yet, I stayed quiet.
“Come on, big guy. Time to get up. Let’s go for a lap to get the blood flowing and then get the ice boot on you.” He patted the gelding’s neck as Storm stirred from his rest.
He was so gentle, so sweet about how he cared for my horse. Scott helped rock Storm up so he could stand. He dusted off his jeans and glanced up when Storm nickered happily at me.
I smiled at them when Scott and I made eye contact. His sleepy smile made my heart skip, and I wanted to throw myself into his arms. He was so thoughtful and sweet, but he tried to hide it from everyone else. I was glad he let me see this side of him.