Instinct tells me to stay where I am or, better yet, to turn around and walk back to the cabin. I don’t. I can’t. Not when it feels like he’s challenging me. Gritting my teeth, I swallow myfear and approach the horse slowly, trying to hide the trembling in my hands.
Once I’m closer, Storm’s nostrils flare as he takes in my scent. One wrong move and I’ll find myself on the ground again or, worse, with another broken limb.
“Hold out your hand,” he instructs. “Palm flat.”
I do as he says, hesitating slightly. Storm exhales, giving his head a slight shake, and I jump back, startled by the movement.
Calder chuckles softly, and I shoot him a glare. “Relax, Saint. Horses do that when they’re relaxed. He’s excited to meet you.”
At least one of us is relaxed.
I try again, and this time, he extends his neck, his velvet nose brushing my palm. The touch is surprisingly soft and warm.
“Hi, Storm,” I whisper in greeting without really realizing it.
He snuffles gently, then pulls back, apparently satisfied with his inspection.
“See, I told you. He likes you.” Calder’s warm breath fans against my ear, and I whip around to find him standing beside me.
“You’re just saying that,” I murmur, trying to ignore the proximity of his body to mine, and the warmth radiating off him.
“No, I’m not. Just trust me, okay?”
“Trust you?” I huff.
“I know it seems ridiculous, but we’re married now, and you’re entering a new world. You need my guidance and support. So yes, trust me.”
As infuriating as it is, I know he’s right. If I’m going to survive this, then I’ll have to put my trust in the man who put me in this situation to begin with.
“Fine,” I begrudgingly agree.
Calder smirks as if he’s won some competition. “Touch him, pet him. He won’t bite.”
Lifting a shaking hand to Storm’s neck, I gently stroke his coat. The horse doesn’t move,thankfully. He just stands there patiently waiting while I explore.
“Good girl,” Calder murmurs. “You’re doing a wonderful job.”
The effect his praise has on me is something I don’t want to examine just yet. With a calming breath, I steady my hand.
“Funny enough, horses used to be my favorite animal,” I admit, smiling at the reminder. “I’d beg my mom to take me to see them every Sunday after church. We’d pet them, and sometimes she’d let me ride them while she held the lead rope.” The memory of those moments with her feels so fresh in my mind.
Calder moves to Storm’s other side and checks his hooves with quick efficiency, then circles back around.
“I want you to feel that way again,” he whispers against my hair.
I hate the warmth that fills my chest when we talk about things, when I see the side of him that’s human and all man. Because it makes seeing him as the monster, the villain in all of this, that much harder.
“I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen.”
“For me, living means taking risks sometimes, doing the things that make your heart race, the things you’ll regret if you don’t. Like kissing someone when you shouldn’t.”
“I never should’ve done that.” I shake my head, heat rising in my cheeks
“There’s no takebacks in life, sweetheart. Can’t undo what’s already done. You fall off the horse, you climb back on. Keep pushing forward, taking risks, and doing things you know you’ll regret not doing.”
“You know you’re pretty insightful when you aren’t kidnapping people and threatening their lives.”
He gives me a half smile and shrugs. “I do what I can. Now, are you ready to get on?”
