Chapter 906: Laughter
Grant started laughing—a deep, uncontrollable laugh that shook his shoulders and echoed around the room, almost turning other people’s heads. He couldn’t help it. The love of her life was a horse. All the tears she’d shed, the way her voice had cracked when she’d been sobbing in his arms...no, in the office—it had all been for Todd. And the ironical part, an insidious voice whispered in the back of his mind, was that he’d been jealous. Jealous of a horse. He shoved the thought aside, determined not to let it take root. No, this wasn’t about that. It was just the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Innocensa tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she stared up at him. "Why are you laughing? What’s so funny?" Her tone wavered between confusion and irritation. "Try getting sniffed all over by something twice your size,and then tell me how funny it is! Let me remind you to even his last day, Todd was taller than me."
Her indignant comment only made him laugh harder, almost making him double over.
Finally, Grant managed to shake his head, though the grin plastered across his face refused to fade. He sucked in a deep breath, wiped his eyes, and attempted to compose himself. "When you came into the office crying for him earlier," he began, his voice still unsteady from suppressed laughter, "I thought Todd was the name of your childhood sweetheart or something. I figured you’d lost the guy you intended to marry..." He paused, his grin widening. "But Todd is a horse!"
Innocensa gasped, her jaw dropping as she processed his words. "Wait. You thought...?"
Grant nodded, his shoulders shaking with laughter again. "Yeah. I thought Todd was some the love of your life, and I felt genuinely sorry for you. Turns out, he was just a four-legged, hay-eating beast."
She crossed her arms over her chest and sent a glare at him that could have melted ice.. "Todd is not just any horse. He’s practically family. He’s been with me since I was seven. Didn’t you hear a word I said? And for your information, Todd was more loyal and understanding than most people I know."
"I’m sure he’ was a great guy—err, horse. But you have to admit, from my perspective, this whole thing is just—" He broke off, shaking his head in disbelief. "It’s a bit much."
Innocensa groaned, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Unbelievable. Here I am, mourning Todd’s absence, and you’re turning it into some kind of comedy routine."