Her nose nudges my hand.
“You can keep a secret, can’t you, Lark?”
She lowers her head and I smile. She’s probably just responding to my tone, but it still feels good to share my news with someone I love.
When I finally let Lark loose a short distance from the house, she takes off at a gallop, bounding through the muted yellow-brown fields, her mane flying. I grip the reins and lean over her neck, loving the feel of her beneath me. It’s been over two weeks since we went out riding. We both need this.
We ride across the dry grass, jumping muddy creeks and turning up the fence line toward the old oak. Trees dot the landscape, their branches still barren, buds emerging on the very tips.
Cody comes into view, and my body comes to life, practically vibrating with a soft low hum. Lark perks up and I give her barrel a nudge. She doesn’t even need the encouragement—just my consent. Cody picks up his pace. I pull Lark to a trot, my eyes on him as we approach one another.
Cody Lawson was made for a saddle, all quiet strength and practiced control, riding like a man who’s been doing this since boyhood—and it’s impossible not to feel how deeply right he looks galloping toward me. Watching him stirs an undeniable desire and respect. The feeling isn’t new, but I’ve never been allowed to indulge it before.
I’ve pulled Lark to a halt without even realizing it. She and I are both breathing heavily from the ride out here. Cody comes up beside us, pulling Jasper to a stop and smiling broadly at me.
We hold one another’s gaze, not saying a word at first.
His smile tells me he’s just as revived from his ride as I am from mine.
“You made it,” he says, a broad grin crinkling his eyes.
“I almost asked if we could meet a little later. Jace is …”Why am I bringing up my brother?
“He’s carrying too much,” Cody finishes for me—a softness in his eyes and a light fold to his brow.
“Yeah. He is.”
“I’m glad you got away.” Cody studies me, his gaze roving over my face and then down to Lark. “Want to ride a bit?”
“I’d love to. I haven’t been on Lark since before I started working for the county.”
“You’ll find your rhythm,” he assures me. “I’ve got a place in mind where we can stop. Follow me.”
He clicks his tongue and Jasper takes off.
I nudge Lark and we chase after them over hills and down soft slopes, through small runoffs and across flatland. We pull ahead at times, and then we ride side by side. Cody tips his chin toward an older tree in a clearing.
“Let’s stop there.”
I follow him along the fence line and we dismount, tying the horses off on posts after giving them a drink in the nearby stock pond.
Cody takes a thick picnic blanket and a bag of food out of his saddlebags. I hold one edge of the blanket and together we spread it out. Cody sits and pats the ground next to him.
I settle down onto the blanket and he leans in, placing a soft kiss on my lips.
“It’s good to see you,” he says, smiling over at me.
“You too. This was a great idea. I needed the ride—and to see you.”
“I’m full of great ideas,” he says with a tease in his voice.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm hmm.”
He pulls out a small wooden cutting board and fills it with cheese slices, jerky, fruit and nuts. I sit back, watching him. Then he pulls two paper cups and a thermos out of the bag.
“I brought coffee—the way you like it.”
