Saddle up

Chapter Thirty-Four : Sunset

**Brant's POV**

I heard the familiar sound of Jess's footsteps as she came back into the house after lunch. I waited, trying to distract myself by fiddling with the remote, until she finally walked in, her presence instantly filling the room.

"How was breakfast?" she asked, the concern in her voice never quite going away.

"It was delicious," I replied, feeling the warmth of her care. "Best French toast I've ever had."

"And how's your pain?"

"I don't have any right now. I'm really good, Jess," I said honestly, trying to sound more convincing than I felt.

"Perfect. I'm making a casserole so you'll have something to snack on for the next few nights," she said, her voice soft but determined. "Before I leave this evening, I'll make sure you have a full water pitcher in here and your meds set out. If you need anything at all, you'll call me, right?"

The thought of her leaving again hit me like a wave, a dull ache filling the space between my ribs. The past seven months without her had been long and heavy, and the idea of her leaving again was almost too much to bear.

"I'm sure I'll be fine, but yeah, I'll call you if I need anything. You got to talk to the guys then, huh?"," I muttered, trying to sound more casual than I felt.

"Yeah! AJ is really sweet. And you're right about him being a hard worker!"

"Yeah, he's a great kid."

"Good. I'm gonna head to the kitchen to get started on the casserole, and I'll start another load of laundry. Do you need anything?"

"Actually, yeah," I said, my voice a little hesitant. "Mind if I come out there with you to keep you company?"

"Of course not," Jess said without missing a beat. "This is your house, Brant."

"I know," I replied, my words catching a little in my throat. "I just don't want to be in your way if you're in a rush to get out of here."

She looked at me with those soft eyes, like she could see right through me. "Brant, I'm in no hurry to leave. I told you I was going to help you, and that's what I'm here to do."

I let out a breath, nodding. "Okay. I'm gonna get back into the chair now."

Jess pushed the wheelchair close and locked it in place. As I plopped down, she gently adjusted the wheels, making sure I was comfortable before we made our way out to the kitchen.

She was already gathering her ingredients when I wheeled myself in, and I couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly she moved, how at home she seemed here. It was like she had this quiet magic, the way she could take any random assortment of ingredients and turn them into something delicious.

I turned on the little TV in the corner of the kitchen, but I wasn't really watching it. I was watching her. The way she moved around, the way she hummed under her breath as she worked—her presence filled every corner of the room.

After a few minutes, the unmistakable aroma of the casserole began to fill the house, a smell so comforting it almost made me forget the ache in my leg.

"Mmm, smells so good in here," I said from my spot at the table, my voice low with appreciation.

Jess chuckled and peeked over at me, wiping down the counters as she finished cleaning up. "Just another recipe from my grandma. You'll love it."

"I don't doubt that. I'd love to meet her someday. Does she live close?"

"No," Jess said, her voice softening as she spoke of her grandma. "She moved to Florida a few years ago, but she comes back every August for our family reunion. I always look forward to it."