“That’s right. So, even though the kid feels bad, there’s no chance he’s going to be able to get it fixed. It means the world to her.”
The selflessness of his gift weighed down on me. “You’re amazing.”
“I’m just trying to do right by her since she did right by me.” He turned, sweeping his gaze over the empty pasture. “You’ll probably be going at a faster clip during the parade than what you’ve been practicing. How do you feel about pushing Trixie into a trot?”
My heart jumped into my throat, but I nodded anyway. “Let’s do it.”
“That’s my girl.” He nodded and unfastened the gate.
I wanted to be his girl. Not just for a few weeks, but for a long time to come. Wanted it so badly, I could picture a future together. We’d have a barn full of horses, a garden of red and white roses, and a little boy who looked just like his daddy.
Jake hadn’t offered me forever, though. He might be taking advantage of the fake dating with benefits, but he’d given no indication that he’d be interested in pursuing a real relationship after our arrangement ended.
“Just follow my lead, okay?” He’d secured the gate behind us and climbed back up in the saddle. His legs squeezed against the big stallion’s flanks, spurring him into a quick trot.
Trixie kept up, her head held high as I tried to adjust to the new pace.
“You’re doing it, Roxy. Look at you.”
He was right. I was riding all by myself. After spending so many years afraid, I was finally doing it.
We spent the next half hour trotting across the pasture, until the sun started to dip below the horizon, taking the warmth of the day with it.
“We should probably head back. You want to lead the way?” Jake had stopped next to me, close enough to reach out and grab onto if I wanted.
“Sure.” My success was overshadowed by what it meant. He’d done what I’d hired him to do. Our time together would start winding down. A heavy sadness filled my heart.
I was quiet on the ride back to my place. Jake didn’t press me to engage. He probably thought I was lost in my thoughts about the past and silently celebrating overcoming my biggest setback. When we got there, I invited him in, but he begged off saying he had to be up so early that it didn’t make sense to stay over. He was right, but it still stung a little.
“Do you want to meet up one night this week after I’m done at the ranch?” He’d left his truck running in the driveway when he walked me to the door. One hand lingered on my hip, and he brushed my hair back over my shoulder with the other. “You probably ought to practice riding solo again before the parade.”
“Sure. How about Thursday?” That would give me a few days to work him out of my system and come up with a plan on how to stage our breakup. The best place to do it would be at the party. That way everyone could see it happen in real time.
“Thursday works for me. Maybe we can go out for a bite after.” He slid his hands down my back and pulled me into his chest. “You should be proud of yourself, Roxy. You did great out there today.”
I wanted to sink into him, but I resisted. It was going to take every ounce of willpower I had to let him go. There was no use becoming even more attached.
My resolve weakened when he lowered his head and slanted his mouth over mine. Heat simmered low in my belly. It probably wouldn’t take much to convince him to come back inside, at least long enough to tangle together under the sheets one last time.
He pulled back and knit his brows together. “Everything okay, sugar?”
“Of course.” Forcing a smile, I stared back at him. “I’ll see you on Thursday.”
“I’ll see you then.”
After another kiss that left me longing for much more, he was gone, taking my heart with him.
9
JAKE
Thursday finally rolled around, and I worked through lunch so I could finish my to-do list early. I was supposed to pick Roxy up at seven which gave me just enough time to swing by Lloyd’s and load the rocking chair into the back of the trailer before I showed up at her place. I didn’t know what was happening between us, but I didn’t want it to end.
Word had gotten around to Mama Mae that I was seeing someone, and she insisted I bring Roxy over to meet her. Since Roxy was the one who made it possible to get the rocker in time for Mama Mae’s special day, I thought it would be nice for her to come with me when I dropped it off.
“Hey.” She answered the door ready to go.
“I missed you this week.” With one arm behind her back, I pulled her into me and captured the lips I’d been dreaming about since Sunday.
