The only sound that made it to my ears was the coarse hairs of the brush running along Savior's coat. The mare let out a huff each time I paused in the brushing and I rolled my eyes in return. She was so damn prissy. Focusing on Savior's appearance was the least of my worries, though. My mind was stuck on one thing and one thing only tonight––you. I figured you were in the ranch house, I didn't hear you outside for quite a while. On the bright side, you not being in my presence meant I wouldn't act a damn fool because of a simple distraction. Even if that distraction felt like a challenge sent to me by God. A challenge I failed to overcome on multiple occasions, seeing how I've ended up in your bed more times than I could count these past few months.

Guilt was a monstrous thing. It haunted me ever since I woke up beside you that night. I swore it'd be a one time thing, but every time I promised myself that, I found myself right back where I started––tangled limbs, creaking bedframes, and the loud thud of the headboard hitting the bedroom wall. Often times, I felt my wedding ring was judging me silently from the nightstand when I took it off for those fleeting moments of passion. But I loved Madeleine. And I loved you. God, I did. I've known you since my mama was still reeling from my daddy leaving, since before you inherited the ranch from your own. Of course I loved you. But Madeleine... sweet, poor Madeleine. She didn't know what I was up to whenever I went off.

I was snapped from my thoughts when a rhythmic knock came at the stable doors. In the entryway stood you, a soaked umbrella in your hands and a look of concern etched on your features. I glanced past you to see rain falling in sheets. How had I not noticed that? "Looks like hell out there," I commented, finishing that statement with a weak chuckle. "Y'ain't get those pretty li'l boots muddy, didja?" I rose to my feet, the brush discarded, and tucked Savior back into her stall before locking it with a click. Afterwards, I turned to you. You didn't seem amused by my tease. And you had that look on your face, the one that said 'I know you're overworking again'. You've gotten that too many times.