care of it after chores. I have extra crew comin’ in to run things, and the carriage is decorated and ready to go in the barn. Dad has some meetin’ early on in the day, and JR and his wife are flyin’ in sometime in the morning.”
Austin shifted in his seat to face me. “I think that’s the most words you’ve strung together at one time that I’ve understood.”
“Piss off.” I punched his shoulder, earning another round of laughter. “Don’t get your ass too drunk tonight. Elaina has a long memory, and she does not forgive easily.”
Austin chuckled. “Yeah, and don’t you head right out to the barn until you’ve changed your shoes. You have to wear them tomorrow. You come to the wedding looking like you’ve just mucked a stable, it will be both our funerals.”
I tipped my head at Knox and Allen then smacked Joel on the shoulder. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. See you tomorrow.”
I waved as they pulled down the driveway and disappeared into the night.
For a few minutes, I savored the cool, quiet evening. It was dark, and a few stars peeked out from the clouds above. The first order of business was getting out of these goddamn clothes. The second was ensuring Dad got to bed all right. Instinct wanted me to head to the stables and check on the team, but I knew Corgan and Baylor took care of what needed to be done.
I let out a sharp whistle, calling for Logan, knowing he was around somewhere. He never ventured off the property, but he loved the outdoors. While I waited for him to respond, I licked my lips, tasting the lingering essence of city boy Lachlan.
Like I’d told Knox, spending the night with Lachlan was tempting. Turning him down had been a test of self-control. My whole body had responded to his good looks and sexy smile. But I had morals and standards, and they didn’t include one night stands—even when I hadn’t enjoyed a warm male body in bed in over a year.
Logan’s huge form emerged from the dark. A grin took over my face as he galloped toward me, jowls flopping.
“Hey, boy. C’mere.”
I no longer cared about keeping my clothes clean, so when he jumped up, laying his huge dirty paws on my chest and licking my face, I let him. Scratching his ears and taking the love, I laughed. “Your kisses aren’t half as nice as the one I got earlier, you know.”
He barked and dropped heavily to the ground.
“I’ll tell you all about it. Should we go inside? I need to change. My feet hurt, and these pants are too tight.”
Logan huffed and glanced at the house like he understood me.
“C’mon.”
He trotted ahead, checking every few steps to ensure I followed.
Dad was already hunkered down in bed, so I shut down the rest of the house and climbed the back stairs to my room as quiet as possible with the creaky old boards underfoot. Again, I debated throwing on my jeans and heading out to the stables to check on the team, but it was late, and there was a lot to get done in the morning. If I went out now, I’d be there a good hour or more, and it was already cresting midnight.
I tossed my clothes into the hamper and found a fresh pair of underwear to sleep in. Logan sat beside the bed and waited. It was our nightly ritual. Across the hall, I used the bathroom and brushed my teeth before crawling under the cool sheets. Once I was settled, I glanced at Logan’s big sad eyes.
“Have I ever said no to you sleeping on the bed? Not once, so stop looking so damn sad. You know the drill. I get in first or you take up all the space and leave me with nothin’. You’re not a lap dog, in case you hadn’t noticed. C’mon.” I patted the mattress.
If he could smile, Logan would have beamed at the invitation. He launched himself onto the bed, taking up over half the room and making the springs creak. He turned around three times and dropped with a thump at the foot of the bed, resting his big face on his front paws as he blinked at me.
“Comfy?”
He huffed.
“Good.” I shut off the light and rested on my back, hands behind my head as I peered out the window at the small piece of moon sticking out from behind a cloud.