“That was totally random. I was eating lunch yesterday at a diner and a guy next to me was reading on his phone. Turned out to be one of Morrison’s books and he told me about the autograph party.”
“Huh.” She took a deep breath and stood. “You know what? I need to discuss this matter with Fudge. He has a stake in it, too.”
He smiled. “Good plan. While you’re doing that, I’ll fetch my books and my duffle from the truck.”
After splashing cold water on her face and running a brush through her hair, she left the trailer and headed for the barn.
She caught Fudge dozing, but his head came up and his ears pricked forward the minute she called his name. He knickered softly.
“Same to you, sweet boy.” She let herself into his stall and wrapped her arms around his neck. With a sigh, he laid his head on her shoulder, totally relaxed.
Her throat tightened. “You like it here, don’t you, Fudgie?” It was something she’d noticed subconsciously but never acknowledged. She rested her cheek against his neck. “I like it here, too. Maybe too much. It scares me.” She stroked his neck, her fingers moving in time with her thoughts. “You don’t seem to have that problem. Ever since we got here, you’ve acted like you just assume everyone will love you.”
She took his soft groan as agreement. “Whereas I worry that I’m… difficult.”
He blew through his nostrils, which made her smile. “You sound like Luis. He doesn’t believe it either.” She slid her hand under his silky mane to give him a scratch. “But he does believe in Fate. Do you?”
No answer.
“Yeah, it’s a puzzler. And now Cole sounds like he might put some stock in it.” She absorbed the solid warmth of her horse, letting their deep connection soothe her.
“Cole says mom was critical of me ’cause she was jealous. One thing’s for sure. Something put a burr under her saddle. I can’t picture Raquel acting like that. Can you?”
Fudge’s breathing had become lighter and the weight of his head on her shoulder heavier. She checked and sure enough, his eyes were closed. In all the years they’d been together, she’d never seen him more at peace.
“I don’t know what to do, Fudgie.”
His ears flicked back. He wasn’t completely asleep.
“We’ve been going along just fine, you and me. We know that works. We don’t know if this new thing would work.” Sliding gently away from him, she stood back and took a deep breath. “What do you think?”
He regarded her solemnly.
“You’re not going to tell me what to do, either, are you?”
Damned if he didn’t shake his head. Probably a fly made him do it, but who knew for sure? She smiled. “Alrighty, then. Thanks for trusting me to make the right decision… for everyone.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
How long would he have to wait? Luis paced barefoot through the casita, the cool tile relieving the hot soles of his tender feet. Occasionally he paused to stare out the front window in case he might catch a glimpse of Jordan heading his way.
He’d stopped expecting a call after his addled brain coughed up the info that her phone was likely in her backpack. Chances were slim she’d paused mid-flight to grab the backpack out of his truck.
That would have slowed her down. He’d spooked her bad. He still marveled at the speed she’d generated. And wearing boots, no less.
Now that she’d made her escape, she might not come out of hiding for hours. Served him right. Cole had promised to talk to her, but Cole wasn’t exactly on his side.
Nor should he be. In Cole’s shoes, he’d be protective as hell, too.
As the minutes ticked by, he endlessly played the what if game. What if he’d kept his big mouth shut? What if he’d let the decision percolate while he wooed her with an intimate dinner and more lovemaking?
Or even better, what if he’d taken her on a sunset ride around the ranch, giving her a private tour to precede tomorrow’s formal one? They might have come across a few of the herds, maybe even spotted her adoptees.
What if he’d bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to reintroduce Mila’s idea? What if he’d led up to it gradually instead of hitting her with it like a cream pie in the face? What if?—
His phone chimed with the generic ring he used for all calls other than his family members. It could be anyone. Or it could be….
He grabbed his phone. Jordan. His heart beat so fast he couldn’t breathe. He tapped it and gulped. “Hi.”
