"Hey, Mia," Grayson said and I groaned, opening an eye finding him standing over me. "Finally. How are you feelin'?" He asked getting a grimace as an answer.
"My arm aches," I complained and he chuckled, tousling my hair. When I didn't push him away he leaned closer looking on with a smile as I curled into myself. "Tired but I stayed here last night. Makes no sense."
"You should stay here and get some rest while I go into town. That okay with you?" He told me and I reached out, Grayson giving me a faint smile when I grasped his shirt with my good hand.
"I don't have to sleep here if you don't want me to. I could help you instead." I suggested, letting out a yawn and when I grimaced he shook his head. Leaning over he brushed a kiss on my forehead and I relaxed as he knelt beside the bed.
"You didn't get much sleep 'cause of the storm last night remember?" He asked and I lifted my head enough to nod at him. "Thought so. You stay here and get some shuteye." He suggested and I yawned, curling onto my side as he watched. "I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."
"Good idea," I mumbled, closing my eyes and he chuckled, pulling the blanket over me before he left the room gently closing the door behind him.
Despite what he said I did wake sometime later finding the blanket we'd shared covering me and as I struggled to sit I searched the room for Grayson.
"Harlan?" I called out, sighing when I remembered that he'd left me alone. Shaking my head I pushed the blanket off, setting both feet on the floor though it took me several attempts before I managed to stand. With slightly weak legs I stumbled towards the door and once I turned the doorknob I poked my head out.
Noting that Grayson wasn't nearby I chose to search the rest of the house which helped my legs but when I couldn't find him even after heading outside I frowned, wondering just where the rancher could be.
"Maybe he went into town. I'd go and find him but I'm not sure if I can travel all that way into town on Thunder's back." I muttered to myself, looking down at my clothes. "Probably should put some shoes on before I go wandering around," I said, ducking back inside before I pulled on my shoes, heading back outside feeling a little more awake before I headed for the stables.
"Thunder, good to see you too!" I laughed as Thunder neighed, nuzzling my hair as I stroked his neck. "Sorry I've been staying with Grayson." When Thunder rolled his head at me, snorting I smiled at him. "Don't worry, Thunder he's been on his best behavior," I added, rubbing his ears.
Shaking my head I wandered around the stables, looking at the piles of hay and when I stroked my chin Thunder nudged me. "I want to do something nice for Grayson but I'm not sure what." As I wandered around I noticed that there was a lot of dust and hay scattered around. A sudden thought had me smiling and Thunder stared as I hurried to find a broom and a shovel.
"Hope Mia managed to stay out of trouble," Grayson said to Xerxes, who neighed as they approached the house. Climbing from Xerxes' saddle Grayson headed for the house though as he reached his bedroom he reached up lightly knocking on the door. "Mia, you still sleeping?" He called out, getting no answer.
Must be still sleeping but I should check on her. Just in case.
Gently opening the door Grayson poked his head in and once he found the bed unmade and no Mia the rancher hurried from the bedroom. After a more thorough search of his house, he still couldn't find her, and Xerxes looked up to see his owner standing in the doorway, looking shaken.
It wasn't until he had a sudden thought that he raced for the stables stopping as soon as he found Thunder he slowed, noting with a frown that Thunder had his head down. Once Grayson drew closer he saw what the stallion was nudging and he sighed, very relieved when he found Mia curled up on the floor of the stable. Smiling at her Grayson shifted closer and after he knelt he gently touched the top of her head. She didn't even stir and he grinned at her, looking around for a blanket to cover her with.
I finally woke up to Thunder nudging my head and when I sat he snorted. "Yeah I'm up, Thunder," I mumbled still very much half-asleep until I noticed the warm blanket spread over me, and as I fiddled with it Thunder pawed the floor. "Grayson's back isn't he?" I asked only to hear a chuckle and I craned my neck to find Grayson staring down at me.
"Of course, I am, Mia. You have been asleep for," After checking his watch Grayson looked at me with a faint smile, "two hours."
"Two hours?!" I yelped, trying to stand only to have the blanket tangled around my legs and I stumbled. Grayson, standing over me quickly grasped my arm steadying me against his chest as I panted. "Sorry….not sure what just happened." I panted as Grayson held me close. It wasn't until I tilted my head back to find him staring at me which a faint smile on his lips that I froze, realizing just how close he was to me.
"You tripped over your own feet?" Grayson offered and I snorted, clearing my throat as I stared up at the rancher who now had a smirk on his lips. "Still a little unsteady huh? Maybe you should stay in the house until you're stronger." He suggested and after a long pause, I nodded, lowering my head slightly until Grayson brushed my cheek with his thumb.
"I wasn't trying to upset you, Mia. I just don't want you ending up getting hurt again." Grayson sighed, noting how pale I looked as I fiddled with the bandage on my arm. "Not after….Butch."
"I was just trying to clean up the stables but it's kind of hard to sweep with only one arm," I answered in a small voice, nodding towards my bandaged arm and Grayson nodded pulling me close enough to kiss my forehead which left a faint blush on my cheeks.
"So that's what you were doin'," Grayson answered and I shrugged, enjoying how close the rancher was. "Next time though can you stay put? I can't run all over Miradero chasing after you, Mia." He added and I smiled as he draped both arms around my waist holding me close. Of course, Thunder leaned his head out and I laughed as he licked Grayson's face, knocking the rancher's hat off his head.
"Here, let me get that." I giggled, leaning over as I grabbed his hat but when I straightened I jerked once I felt Grayson's arms wrapped around my waist. Standing perfectly still I blinked turning my head enough to see him giving me a smile and after a few seconds of silence, I leaned back pressing my back to his chest. "So….you don't want your hat back then?" I asked, scolding myself almost instantly and Grayson chuckled, taking the hat from my hands before he popped it back on his head.
