“I don’t know. I’ve never let anyone else ride him. Maybe we’ll try it out and see,” Ty said, consideringher idea.
He helped her onto the horse, tied Ice with a rope, and handed it to her. “I’ll let you hold his rope this time to reassure you he’s with us. Once you’re more comfortable, we can tie him to the saddle or he can follow on his own.”
Scarlett gripped the horn tightly as the horse moved, walking out of the barn. She heard Ice following her. The doors to the barn shut, and Ty climbed on behind her. His chest pressed against her back, and he leaned in, taking the reins. “If you get thirsty, I have water in my saddlebag. You can hold on to the horn if it makes you feel secure, or you can place your hands on my legs to balance, whichever feels more comfortable.”
She longed to move her hands from the metal and feel the muscular thighs pressed against her legs. Yet, she kept them where they were, unsure of how it might seem if she held on to his legs. Hank walked them away from the house.
“Shall we try out your theory?” Ty asked, his breath tickling her ear.
“Ummm, what?” she said, feeling confused by her senses. His chest rubbed against her back with the horse’s movements. Ty smelled like leather and the herbs he used for cooking. The warmth of the sun gently caressed her skin, and his question sent goosebumps throughout her body.
“Ask him to take you to the lake,” he suggested.
“Hank, will you please take me to the lake?” she called to the animal.
He turned and strode in the opposite direction, making Ty chuckle. “See, I told you he’s the smartest animal ever.”
“You really didn’t steer him?” she asked, surprised.
“Nope. He’s the best,” Ty said proudly. “We’re walking on the main road to my east pasture. We use it to take hay to the animals on this side. The field to your right has wildflowers of all colors. I wanted to make my garden bigger and plow it up, but my mother threatened to tan my hidefor even suggesting ruining a piece of Mother Nature’s garden.”
“Maybe she thinks it’s the only thing you can’t kill,” she teased.
Ty tickled her side, making her laugh out loud. “You and my mom will get along famously. She said something similar to me already. The left side holds my cattle. Hank will eventually turn right, bringing us to the best fishing place in Serenity.”
“How many acres do you own?” she asked.
“One hundred-twenty,” he said. “Part of it belonged to my parents and I purchased the land beside them to settle down and have a family. I love the community and how they come together. Chase’s parents set a great example when they moved here. His dad never turned anyone down when they showed up at his door with a broken arm or sick. His mom and mine made meals for families who needed an extra hand.”
“Did you and Dr. Winters go to school together?”
“We did. Chase hung out with the football team. I came home from school and ranched,” he said while he stopped Hank and guided him to a tree. “I brought dessert if you want to sit by the lake and enjoy the nice day before it gets colder. The leaves have a hint of yellow on them, but in another month, they’ll turn orange, red, and gold.”
“I’m not ever turning down dessert,” she said as he placed his hand on her thigh, letting her know he stood beside her.
“Place your foot in the stirrup and then stand and swing your leg over. I won’t let you fall,” he assured her. His large hands wrapped around her waist as she swung her leg over, and he gripped both sides, leading her to the ground. She removed her foot, and he went around the horse to retrieve Ice.
He handed him over to her while he duginto his saddlebag. “Take four steps straight ahead and then three to the right, and you’ll be under the shade. I have a blanket roll on Hank, and I’ll bring it to sit on.”
“You thought of everything,” she murmured. “What did you bring me for dessert?”
“I brought seven-layer cookies,” he said, untying the blanket.
He brought it over and spread it on the ground. “Take one step and you’re on the blanket,” Ty said before sitting down. Scarlett joined him, and Ice sat beside her.
Ty opened his bag and pulled out a bottle of water. She listened as he poured it into the bowl for her dog. “I’m not up to date on my service dog etiquette, but I remember Allie mentioning the owner needs to give him his food. I don’t know if it includes water, but I’m holding it directly in front of you to give to him.”
Scarlett reached out and took it, measuring the amount with her finger. When she felt secure enough, she placed it in front of Ice. “Thank you for thinking of him.”
“He’s part of you. I can’t separate one from the other. Here’s a napkin, and I brought two pints of ice-cold milk. It’s a must with the richness of the dessert.”
“You sure know how to show a girl a good time. You feed her, take her for a ride, and then give her cookies and milk,” she teased, taking his offering.
“You’re the only person I’ve taken to the lake, and it’s the first time I’ve shared my cookies and milk. I don’t serve these at the restaurant. My mom made these for me at least once a week, and I keep this recipe for myself,” he admitted.
“Ah, it holds a memory. My mom makes miniature pies. Depending on the season, they contained different fillings. During the summertime, we got strawberry and blackberry pies. In the fall, we enjoyed apple and pumpkin pies. At Christmas, she made French silk and pecan. Spring alwaysgave us cherry pies. It made us feel special by having our own.”
“Exactly. Can I ask what made you join the military?” he asked, placing a cookie on the napkin in her hand.
