My heart is beating harder than it has all day. There’s this weight, a heavy kind of pull, that keeps me rooted to the spot. My gaze keeps flicking from her eyes to the way the light catches her hair, to the way her lips tighten in that way she does when she’s nervous or frustrated.
And I don’t know what the hell to say. I can’t shake the feeling that everything between us has shifted, that we’re standing on the edge of something neither of us is ready to face.
She opens her mouth to speak, but before a single word escapes, I hear the unmistakable sound of hooves pounding against the dry earth.
Reid.
I can’t help the groan that escapes me, not that anyone would hear it over the thunder of Maxie’s hooves. I glance over my shoulder, just in time to see Reid coming around the corner, riding in as if he’s auditioning for a damn western movie.
I swear, the guy’s got this air about him that makes him look born in a saddle. The way he’s sitting up there makes my gut tighten.
And then, to top it off, he’s wearing that grin that seems to charm everyone.
He pulls Maxie to a halt right in front of us, the horse snorting, almost laughing at me, too. I feel my hands ball into fists, my jaw tightening all over again.
Reid hops down, landing lightly on his boots before flashing one of those too-wide grins at Dakota.
“Hey there,” he says, full of easy charm. “Fancy seeing you out here. Did Clint drag you into the wilds of High Ridge, or were you just looking for some fresh air?”
His eyes sparkle as they flick from her to me, then back to her with that knowing look, aware of everything.
I feel the jealousy flaring up like a sudden wildfire. It doesn’t help that he’s standing there, full of that easy confidence that comes from being Reid.
It doesn’t help that I know he likes her.
That scares me way more than it should.
Dakota’s smile is polite, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes that I can’t decipher. She glances at me, then back at Reid, before replying with a small shrug.
“Actually, I came out here with Charlie to sketch for a bit. Looks like I picked a nice spot.”
Reid’s eyes linger on her for a second too long, his grin turning just a little more mischievous. “Well, it is a great spot. High Ridge is the best ranch in town.”
“Yes!” Charlie yells excitedly. “I love the horses here.”
Reid’s grin widens at Charlie’s enthusiasm. He looks down at the boy, eyes lighting up.
“Well, in that case,” he says, dropping to a playful tone, “how’d you like to take one for a spin? I teach kids your age to ride all the time.”
Dakota’s gaze flicks to Reid, eyebrows slightly raised, a silent question in her eyes. But before she can say anything, Charlie’s face lights up.
He looks up at his mom with pleading eyes, and his voice is practically bursting with excitement. “Please, Mom! Can I? I’ve always wanted to ride a horse, please!”
It’s hard to say no to that kind of enthusiasm. Dakota hesitates, her brow furrowing, weighing the risks against the excitement Charlie’s radiating.
I’m watching her closely, feeling the tension build again. She’s caught in that place between wanting to protect Charlie, wanting to keep him safe, and knowing how much he wants this.
Finally, she sighs, her shoulders dropping in resignation.
“Okay, Charlie,” she says, but there’s a slight reluctance. “But you listen to Reid, alright? He’s got a good head on him when it comes to horses.”
Charlie bounces on his feet, practically jumping with joy, his excitement palpable. “Yes! Yes! Thank you, thank you!”
Reid’s smile turns into a soft chuckle as he watches Charlie’s reaction.
“You’re welcome, buddy.” Then his attention shifts back to Dakota, and there’s something almost reassuring in the way his voice softens. “I’ll take good care of him, I promise.”
Dakota doesn’t look entirely convinced, but she nods, still holding a bit of tension in her shoulders. “Just… be careful, alright?”
