this strange woman. I pushed to my feet, ready to leave.
“If you’ll excuse me.”
She grabbed my hand, stroking a few times as she hummed, then turned it palm up. Her eyes flashed with curiosity as she rubbed her thumb in circles over my palm. Then she traced the lines, mumbling and chanting. “Yes. A worthy man. But not always.” She tapped an area on my hand and tsked. “You’ve come far. Moved beyond the dark and into the light. Your unrest is at an end.” She bent and kissed my palm before flashing multifaceted golden eyes in my direction. “We welcome you.”
Then she dropped my hand and retreated down the road like nothing had happened.
I wiped my palm on my jeans and frowned after her. “What the hell was that all about?”
“Lady Mallory is our resident quack. She’s all … you know. About everything.”
I jerked around and found Josiah standing behind me, arms crossed as he glared after the older woman. His attentive, seductive gaze turned to me. “She’s a fortune teller, a Wiccan, whatever you want to call it. Both. Neither. Who knows? Does the”—he fluttered his fingers in the air—“and sees shit about your future and your past. It’s all a lot of”—he shook his head and huffed a laugh—“you know. I just can’t with those people. Garbage rantings no one needs to hear. How can … I mean, come on.”
I laughed. “Really? People pay money to hear you rant about nothing too, Josiah. What makes you so different?”
“Yeah, but I don’t … you know. With me, it’s all … I mean, it has to be. That’s my job.”
“You write embellished bullshit. Using complete sentences, which I admit, surprises me considering”—I waved a hand and mocked—“you know.”
He sneered and took a stance, hands on his hips as he scanned me head to toe. “So, are you sleeping with East?”
“Wow, was that a whole sentence? I didn’t think you had it in you. It’s none of your business.”
“I know why you… Everybody does.”
I cocked a brow. “Why I came to town?”
He shrugged.
“Well, everybody doesn’t know shit. They should mind their own business.”
“It won’t last. You and Easton are too…” And again, he dropped the last word.
“Different? Maybe. It doesn’t matter. Besides, like I said, it’s none of your business. Excuse me.”
I shoved past the nosy reporter and headed down the street, looking for a clothing store for Percy.
Shopping always put me in a better mood, so I might have gone overboard. After spending enough money Easton would probably have a fit, I drove out to the stables with all my purchases.
It was just past noon when I pulled up. In the yard nearest the house, a group of young kids were having lessons, trotting on horses along the fence as a young woman instructed them. I recognized the woman. She was one of Easton’s staff.
There was no sign of Easton, but when the woman saw me approach the fence, she waved. “He’s out with a group on the trails. Should be back in a bit. Erwin’s in the barn, if you want.” She pointed.
“Thanks.”
I made my way to the barn and administration building. There was another young man organizing another group of kids who were getting ready to go on the trails. He tipped his hat and smiled.
I ducked inside and glanced around. The heavy scent of straw and manure made me wrinkle my nose.
“You get used to the smell. I don’t even notice it anymore. Becomes a part of you.”
I found Erwin on a stool behind the counter, smiling at me with a note of skepticism on his face. “How’re you doin’, son?”
“Well. Thank you.”
Son? That was unexpected. My own father rarely used the term.
“I thought I’d pop in and see Easton and Percy, but I hear they’re out riding.”
“Yup. Took a group on the Outlook Trail. Won’t be much longer. They’ve been gone an hour or more already.”
“How’s Percy doing?”
“Much better. He’s always been close to Easton. This is a good move for both of ’em. Ain’t no one who loves that kid more than Easton.”
I nodded, still struggling with that sense of being out of place.
Erwin leaned on the counter, squaring his sights on me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” I shoved my hands into my pockets.
“Are you playing games with my boy?”
My shoulders sagged. “No, sir.”
“I know why you came here. I know what you city folk are like. It’s not the same out here. Easton’s got a big heart, but it also means he