Brianna
I know. You took it hard, and you have every right to enjoy some peace. Just don’t stay away too long, we miss you
Me
Bossy britches
Brianna
Love you, bro
Me
Love you too, now go away, I’ve got shit to do
I slide my phone away and grab what I need to saddle up. I take a breath, heading toward Bailey, where she waits with Pepper and Spirit. My palms sweating, I put one foot in front of the other. I can do this. It’s just like riding a bike…
CHAPTER 12
Bailey
Brett mentioned he’s not been around horses in over a year, and I didn’t want to put him on the spot with the trail-ride, but he seemed up for it when we talked about him getting back in the saddle last night. It’s true he was up for most things the few hours we spent together, but maybe he still isn’t ready. I have to tread carefully, but subtly isn’t my strong suit.
The horses clearly love him, so he has nothing to worry about there. Some people are natural animal lovers, and he’s in that category.
It still prompts me to ask, “Are you sure you’re up for this?” We’re saddling up Pepper and Spirit—I went back to get her earlier—when I turn my head and see he’s stroking Pepper gently over her mane, talking to her softly.
He eyes me and clears his throat. “There might be something I, um?—”
He palms the back of his neck with his hand and takes a breath. My eyes scan him over quickly, trying to interpret from the look on his face what he’s about to say. The crease betweenhis eyebrows is new, and his demeanor seems to shift somehow. Maybe I’m just picking up on the vibes, but… is he anxious? Does he not want to do this?
“Take your time,” I say, patting Spirit on her side as she waits for me to mount. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. We’re all good over here.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that… I just haven’t ridden for a long time.”
“You don’t have to do anything,” I say, remembering everything he said about his horse, Clyde, who thought he was a dog. It was the sweetest story because horses are exactly like that. “But if you do give it a try, I’m sure it will all come back to you in no time. You’re good at most things I’ve seen so far.”
“Most things?” He quirks a brow and gives me a playful smile that seems to soften the concerned look that shone in his eyes just moments ago.
“Fine. Everything,” I mutter. This only makes him spread that roguish grin. “I’m sure horseback riding will be no different. But it’s optional. I know Spirit loves a ride before we set off for the day on the trails.”
He nods, swallowing hard, and surprises me by saying: “I sort of haven’t ridden since—” He stops short again and lets out another breath. “Fuck,” he mumbles, lifting his hat for a moment and raking his hand over his hair.
Shit! Of course. He did mention he hasn’t been around horses after losing his baby.
His eyes flick up at me and I hold his gaze. In return, he holds mine with the same amount of intensity as I’m giving. “I haven’t ridden at all since I lost—um—Clyde.” The words confirm it, even though the last part is barely audible and my heart thrums a little stronger hearing it.
Of course, it makes total sense now about his apprehension.
I feel my throat tighten and it runs dry in an instant. Suddenly I feel like I’m standing out in the desert without water, not saddling up the horses for an afternoon adventure. “I’m so sorry,” I say. “It’s not easy. I’ve been there… with Pony. I feel like she just got me, ya know?”
He nods. “I lost something when I lost Clyde. And so far, I just haven’t been able to get it back.”
Talk about throat contractions getting tighter with every word he speaks. I feel terrible for him. The one thing that gets me to my core is when you lose an animal—Pony springs to mind again—and then the suffering that ensues when you try to go on with life without them. Soul mate I called her, and it wasn’t untrue. They understand you in ways that humans can’t comprehend. Maybe that’s why I’ve had better relationships with my horses than I have with men.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” I tell him quietly, hoping to God that I didn’t just push him into this when he’s not ready. That totally wasn’t what I was trying to do. I just know how much he loves horses and how his face lit up last night when he met my three. Today he’s been a hit with all of them, even King Zeus on his royal throne hasn’t given us a lick of trouble.
“The thing is,” he says, placing his hat back down on his head and kicking the dirt with his boot. His eyes cast down, his face somber like he’s deep in thought. “It’s something I know I’ve needed to do for a long time. I just haven’t had the opportunity, or the guts, before now.”
