Easton [Belt Buckle Ranch 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Olivia Black

willing to give up.
    When he heard a vehicle approaching, Trent sat straight up and looked in the rearview mirror. He spotted one of the ranch work trucks and immediately licked his dry lips as his heart kicked into overdrive. He held his breath as the truck grew closer and said a silent prayer that Easton would forgive him.
    Stepping out of the truck, Trent tried not to fidget. When he was finally able to see the driver, Trent’s heart dropped when he recognized Wyatt.
    “Hey, neighbor,” Wyatt called out as he pulled up next to Trent’s truck. “What can I do for you today?”
    “I’m looking for Easton. Do you know when he might be back?”
    “I’m not really sure.” Wyatt shrugged his shoulders as he shut the ignition off.
    “I’ll just hang around for a little bit, if you don’t mind. I need to talk to him.”
    “You might be waiting for a while, but suit yourself.” Wyatt chuckled and Trent raised a questioning brow.
    “Well, then, I guess I’ll just head home then.” Trent wasn’t sure what was going on, but he didn’t have a good feeling. Both Jackson and Wyatt weren’t being straight with him.
    “I’ll let him know you stopped by,” Wyatt said, and Trent nodded.
    Trent reluctantly left the ranch behind, wondering if Easton would contact him. He took the long way home, hoping that he might see the young man. When he reached the turn off leading to Twin Acres Ranch, Trent pressed the brakes, stopping his truck. He didn’t want to go back home. He didn’t want to walk into a silent house and feel lonely. With his mind made up, Trent hit the gas pedal and drove toward Marilyn’s.
    During times like this, he was glad his best friend Jacob Monroe was close by. He needed some advice from the bartender, especially since the man was in a relationship with Easton’s brother, Jared.

Chapter 10
     
    Easton was pleasantly surprised when he pulled into the retirement community. It was private, upscale condos. The outside was clean and well maintained, with beautiful greenery. It was unlike any place he’d ever encountered in the middle of Oklahoma. Smiling, Easton parked the car right outside his grandmother’s place. He parked the car and climbed out, grabbing his duffle bag as he walked toward the front door. A colorful wreath hung on the door, graced with beautiful flowers.
    He lifted his hand to knock when the door opened and the woman who raised him opened her arms wide open, tears glistening in her eyes, and a huge smile on her lips.
    “Get over here and hug me. I missed you so much,” she barely managed to say before tears fell down her cheeks.
    “God,” he exhaled. “I missed you, too.”
    The two embraced in the doorway and Easton closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of the familiar perfume. The smell alone reminded him of his childhood and sent him back to a simpler time when the hardest decisions were choosing between a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and macaroni and cheese.
    “My poor baby,” she crooned, her eyes jumping from his face to his arm. “Come in and tell me what happened to you.”
    She wrapped an arm around Easton’s waist and led him into her condo. Looking around, Easton noticed a lot of the same furniture and pictures throughout the space. It made him happy to see the similar surroundings even if it was in a new location.
    “How do you like it here?”
    “I’m staying very busy. Monday is bingo, Tuesday is yoga, Wednesday is crafts, Thursday we watch old movies, Friday is bridge, Saturday we all go out to town and shop, and Sunday is bible study in the recreation room.”
    “Wow, sounds like your calendar is full.”
    “We’re starting a community garden. I’m in charge of putting it together.” She ushered him into the small kitchen and Easton dropped his bag on the floor before sitting in one of the kitchen chairs.
    “Really? That’s great.”
    “Yeah.” She nodded as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a plastic container that he assumed