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CHAPTER 25

Grayson

“You ready to be my helper today?” I glance in the backseat and can’t hide my grin.

Luddy’s got a chocolate milk ring around her top lip while she munches on her breakfast burrito. “Yep. Who are we seeing today?”

“We’re headed out to work on Sir.”

“Is Finn gonna be there?”

“Not today. He’s in school right now, baby.”

Luddy’s disappointment makes my stomach cramp. She loves playing with Finn when we go out to Knox’s ranch.

“I can’t wait to go to school.”

Talk about a stomach cramp. Ugh. I’m not ready for my baby to be in kindergarten. She’s past ready, but I’m not even close. Her love of learning has made it so she can read most of her books by herself, and now she’s moved on to learning basic math. She’ll likely be bored next year, but what parent is going to tell their kid to stop learning new things?

“I hope I get Miss Farrah for my teacher,” Luddy says.

I’m going to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Farrah would only foster Luddy’s thirst for knowledge the way she did for Finn last year. I’m sure the other teachers would be great, but I trust Farrah to make sure my kid thrives.

We’re pulling into Knox’s driveway a few minutes later. He’s coming out of the big barn when I park my truck.

“Uncle Knox!” Luddy calls out as I help her down from her seat.

“Hey, Luddy girl,” he responds in his deep voice. He scoops up my kid, throwing her into the air and making her squeal. “How’s my girl today?”

She wraps her little arm around Knox’s neck while he holds her. “Fine. I wish Finn was here.”

He scoffs. “What am I? Chopped liver?”

She giggles. “Nooo. It’s just…Finn has a better ’magination than you.”

“Jeesh. I see where I rank around here.” Knox sets her down when I get over to them.

“I’m gonna be Daddy’s helper today.”

“The best assistant I’ve got.”

Luddy beams at me. Kylie put her blond hair up into two buns on the top of her head and added bows to match her pink princess shirt.

“I’ve got Sir hitched up in the back. Holler if you need anything else. I’ll be up at the house choppin’ firewood.”

“We should be fine.”

Knox nods and paces up to the house while Luddy and I find Sir on the back side of the barn. Knox even got out a stool for Luddy to sit on while I work.

“Are we recording this one?”

“Of course. You want to be in it today?” I always ask her if she wants to participate in my videos. Most of the time she says yes, but every now and then, she’ll decline. I never show Luddy’s face on the videos, regardless. I either blur it out or edit the clip so it’s just the back of her head.

“Yes!”

“All right then.” We work together to set up the camera and organize my tools. Most of the time, I only do voiceover commentary. Sound is never consistent when you’re outside, and it’s tough to work and talk.

Sir stands tall and proud. His black coat looks extra shiny today, and it makes me wonder if Knox groomed him since he knew I was coming out here. He knows people gush over how pretty Sir is, and I’d almost guarantee Knox spruced up his horse to help my video do better. He’d never admit it, but he does shit like that all the time. His silent support of the people he loves says ten times more than words ever could.