Reacting purely on instinct, I vault over the fence and head for Haley.
When I reach her, I scoop her up by the waist and race for the fence.
By now, Macey’s opened the fence gate.
I slip through the opening with Haley in my arms, slamming the gate closed behind me.
“Are you okay?” I pull Haley into a hug.
“Yes.” She clutches at my shirt. “I’m okay.”
I take her face in my hands and, without taking the time to think what the fuck I’m doing—and on a video being broadcast live for the world no less—I kiss her.
On the mouth. I pull back quickly, but there’s no mistaking my intention.
Haley’s eyes are wide when I look down at her.
Then, they widen more as she glances toward the iPad, which is conveniently positioned to have captured the entire moment.
She steps out of my arms and immediately returns to work mode.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Haley
“Okay, everyone, I’m fine! That horse was a tad aggressive, and I’d like to thank my rescuer for his quick instincts.”
I can hear Ashley laugh. I rush toward the iPad where I look into the screen and see the gleam in her eyes.
“I know your rescuer’s quick instincts help him out on the ice. But this is the first time I’ve seen him use those instincts on a ranch.”
She slaps a hand to her mouth, but that comment will seal it. Any chance we might have had to deny the man who rushed into the field and scooped me up was Liam Storm was blown with Ashley’s statement.
And Liam isn’t the kind of guy to deny anything anyway.
I quickly tell the viewers goodbye as Logan and Reid work to settle the horse who just ran at the horse I was with like he has a vendetta to settle.
But I’m sweating profusely, and not just from the heat anymore.
Because I can’t imagine Liam is going to be happy that his personal life has just been made public, all because of an aggressive horse.
Speaking of…
“What the heck…” Macey says as Logan and Reid reach the horse, who is currently rearing up and shoving its nose at the horse I was just with.
“Whoa! Dallas, Whoa!” Logan loops a halter over the horse’s neck as it’s rearing up on its back legs.
Between them, Logan and Reid manage to calm the animal enough to lead it away and back to the stalls.
“Dallas wasn’t supposed to be out here with the rest of the horses,” Ty calls out. “How did he get out here?”
Macey points to the barn. “Looks like he broke out.”
Sure enough, the door to the barn is off its hinges.
The Wild brothers go into full-court press apology mode to me.
But I’m not worried about myself. I’m concerned for Liam. And I’m concerned especially for the horses—will this video leave a bad impression for viewers who may have been interested in learning more and potentially donating but now won’t be?
