CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The bravado Tracy had summoned for her early-morning visit to the barn deserted her as she rode her dapple gray over to Laughing Creek Ranch. Soon after she’d passed through the gate Spence had put in for her years ago so she could cut across, jumping beans had taken up residence in her stomach.
She spotted Banjo the minute she came in sight of the barn, but he wasn’t saddled. Had Adam decided not to go?
Then he appeared carrying Banjo’s tack. Such a familiar sight. A wave of relief and pleasure hit her so hard she gasped.
Then she got the shakes as anxiety quickly followed. They were in uncharted territory and so many things could go wrong.
What if she lost him, not only as her fantasy lover but as a cherished friend? What if this was the last ride they ever took together? What if town council meetings turned into agonizing slogs and family dinners at Laughing Creek became dreaded events?
He sent her a tight smile before heaving the blanket and saddle onto Banjo’s back. That smile reached right in and grabbed hold of her heart, giving it a hard squeeze. Too much was at stake. Too much.
Moonlight nickered and Banjo responded, giving Adam grief as he worked to get the bridle on. Even their horses were bonded.
“Those two are so cute.” Mila swung into the saddle and headed toward her. “Banjo’s been missing Moonlight.”
“So it seems. Just an FYI, the gate has some rust going on.”
“Thanks. It’s easy to forget about that one when nobody’s… I mean?—”
“I know. My job.” It was called Tracy’s Gate, installed when she got Princess, Moonlight’s predecessor. Spence had asked her to report any rust or malfunctions and she’d faithfully done it for years. Until recently.
“Adam?” Mila raised her voice. “Do you want to alert Rio or?—”
“I’ll take a look tomorrow.” He tightened the cinch on Banjo’s saddle and mounted up. “Thanks for the info, Trace.”
“Welcome.” Damn, he looked good. She’d acknowledged that on some level a long time ago, but she hadn’t let herself see the sexy devil he became when he went total cowboy — broad shoulders encased in a winter jacket, Stetson tugged low over his eyes, tight buns settled in a hand-stitched saddle, leather gloves gripping the reins of a prancing horse. Yum.
“Off we go.” Claudette joined them on Pickles. “Mila, how about you and I take the lead and let Moonlight and Banjo cozy up behind us. You know they want to.”
Mila grinned. “Nicely put.”
“Hey.” Adam speared them each with a look.
“I can’t help it if your horses love each other.” Claudette’s green eyes sparkled.
“It’s not the words, it’s the subtext.”
“Take it easy, big brother. You might as well get used to a little teasing. When the rest of the family finds out, and you know eventually they will?—”
“Not from me.”
“Why not?” Mila stroked Sol’s golden neck. “You’d be better off telling them. Get ahead of the story.”
He grimaced. “Not my preference.”
“Okay. Then maybe the four of us can figure out a strategy for handling the situation beforeit becomes common knowledge. Let’s go.” She wheeled Sol in the direction of the back gate, which was tucked between the family barn and the one used by Hearts & Hooves.
“And the adventure begins.” Claudette nudged Pickles into a trot and caught up with Mila.
Tracy glanced at Adam as Moonlight and Banjo followed, side-by-side. “You can still back out.”
“I considered it, but my horse says he’s going whether I’m on board or not.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “Then I guess we’re doing this for the horses.”
“Guess so. Moonlight looks happy about it, too.”
