Or…is he saying that it doesn’t matter? That he wants me no matter what?
To be hiswife?
“I…” My father gapes down at the deed to our new land, then over at me. “Well, I suppose it’s up to Billie. I would never force her to—”
“He can try,” I whisper, feeling shaky. Elated. A little drunk. I can’t stop staring up at Knox, who appears to be holding his breath. Hanging on my every word. “Trybeing the operative word. I can’t promise I’ll ever say yes to being your wife.”
Brave words when my voice is trembling, right?
“All I’m asking for is a chance, Billie.” Knox says gruffly.
I can’t blink or the tears forming in my eyes are going to fall. I probably look crazy.
“Then, okay,” I whisper.
His chest hollows and fires back up. “Okay?”
I nod, a happy giggle sneaking out.
So badly do I want to be in his arms, I want to be kissed, but with a rapt audience surrounding us, all I can do is long. Are we really going to sit down and eat chicken noodle casserole after this whole dramatic presentation?
Turns out, no. We’re not.
“Your birthday present is outside,” says Knox.
Curious, I take a few steps and peek out the front door.
The gray mare I’ve been mooning over for a year is tethered in my front yard.
eleven
Knox
Holy shit.
This is what happiness feels like.
I haven’t allowed myself to truly experience it for most of my life. It’s a feeling too easily taken away. It’s fleeting. It’s an illusion.
That’s what I used to think.
But watching Billie’s face light up over the gray horse is simply worth dying over.
I’ve found someone worth dying over.
She’s real. She’s extraordinary. She’s a rescue ship on the horizon that I never expected to come for me. I’m resuscitated just by looking at her.
I will no longer protect myself from pain.
Guardingherfrom feeling pain is so much more important.
Not only that, but making her happy. There is no higher or more honorable purpose.
“You didn’t!” She’s running circles around the mare, pressing her tear-stained face into his flanks, touching the animalgingerly, as if it might disappear in a puff of smoke. “How…how did you know? How did you know I wanted her?”
“I overheard you speaking to your mother in the supermarket.”
She melts. “Oh my gosh, Knox. Oh my gosh! She’s the most beautiful horse in the world. You really…is she really, really mine?”
