Even an hour after her death-defying adventure, her pulse raced with exhilaration, making the ground beneath her feet feel lighter than air. She imagined the sensation would rival standing on the edge of the ocean for the first time, her toes in the water, her gaze set on the horizon, soaking up the endless expanse.
Squatting on the floor, she nuzzled the top of Chip’s head with the tip of her finger. “You should have seen me today. I was thrown from a horse into the lake. And you know what? I found it rather thrilling.”
His eyelids narrowed into skeptical slits.
“I can hardly believe it myself,” she said with a laugh.
Clambering to her feet, she straightened the hem of the denim shirt dress Hunter gave her from the gift shop. Her lips stretched into an involuntary smile as she smoothed the front pocket emblazoned with the ranch’s logo. It had been so sweet of him to provide her with a change of clothes. He’d extended the offer to Colt, as well. But he’d stubbornly refused.
Penny shook her head, bemused by the memory. The entire drive home, Colt had insisted he didn’t mind staying wrapped in a towel, marinating in his soggy jeans and T-shirt. But his entire body had to be one big prune by now.
She grinned at the thought, then jumped, startled by a knock at the door.
“It’s open!” Leaning against the counter, she slipped out of her boots.
Fortunately, when Frost launched her from the saddle, she’d flown right out of her shoes, which had remained tangled in the stirrups.
“What happened? Tell me everything!” Eliza burst through the front door, cradling a large pastry box from the café.
Cassie followed close at her heels.
“What do you mean?” Penny asked, amused by Eliza’s breathless urgency. After grabbing a head of lettuce from the fridge, she shredded a few pieces and sprinkled them on the floor for Chip.
“Cassie was at Frank’s when Colt showed up. She said he looked soaked from head to toe.” Eliza slid the box onto the counter before yanking open the cupboard where Penny kept the plates.
“Oh, that,” Penny chuckled. “It’s a long story.”
“Which is why we broughtthese.” Eliza flipped open the pastry box, revealing three of Maggie’s jumbo-size cinnamon rolls.
Penny’s stomach involuntarily grumbled, and she suddenly realized she was starving. “In that case, I’ll put on a pot of tea.” She quickly fetched the cast-iron kettle and filled it from the sink.
Still bursting with energy, she skipped around the kitchen. After gathering her gold-etched Limoges tea set, she refilled the sugar bowl and creamer.
“Someone’s certainly in a good mood,” Eliza teased.
“You do look happy, Pen.” Cassie smiled from her perch on the backless barstool. As if noticing Penny’s outfit for the first time, she added, “And that’s such a cute dress. But you usually wear vintage stuff. Is it new?”
“Oh, this?” Penny ran a hand along the soft fabric. “Yes, it is. Hunter gave it to me after my clothes got drenched.”
“Hunter? Who’s Hunter?” Eliza wiggled her eyebrows, her dark eyes glinting mischievously.
Heat creeping up her neck, Penny attempted a casual tone. “He’s the owner of the ranch where we went horseback riding. He’s very… nice.” She fumbled over the last word, and Eliza squealed.
“You have a crush on him, don’t you?”
“Of course not. Don’t be silly.” Turning to hide her flushed cheeks, Penny rummaged through her selection of gourmet teas.
“Yes, you do!” Eliza insisted. “It’s written all over your face.”
“What about Colt?” Cassie asked innocently, nibbling on the corner of a cinnamon roll.
At Cassie’s question, Penny tipped over a jar of oolong, scattering the sweet-smelling leaves across the shelf. “Wh-what about him?” She tried to keep her voice steady, although her heartbeat fluttered out of control. Did Cassie know something about her brother-in-law that she didn’t?
“I think she means whathappenedto Colt? You know, how did you guys get drenched?” Eliza offered, nudging Cassie with her elbow.
The gesture piqued Penny’s curiosity, but she decided not to press the matter. No good could come from following that particular rabbit trail.
Settling on a rosemary and ginseng blend, Penny filled the diffuser with the fragrant leaves.
