He lowered his head toward her, his warm breath fanning her neck.Tears pricked her eyes.“Oh my gosh, I feel it.I knew there was a reason that I fell so fast for you.It’s because you’re special and we were meant to be together.”
He whinnied softly and gently bumped the side of her head with his muzzle.
“You said you loved me.”She moved back enough so she could look into his eyes.“I love you too.”
He whinnied louder, happier, and she smiled, tears spilling over her cheeks.
Grey cleared his throat.“I’ll open the barn doors and we can walk around the pasture a bit.Ford wanted me to tell you about what happened Tuesday night and the guy who’s trying to take over the farm.”
He opened the doors and they moved out into the night, the pasture lit only by the stars above.As they walked, her hand gently holding a lock of Ford’s long mane, Grey told her about Colton and the herd that had come to the farm for sanctuary, but he’d actually planned to oust their leader Crew and take over all along.When he was kicked out, he started attacking, going after anyone and everyone they could and trying to hurt them.
“When Khyle and Tris were hurt walking home from the farm, we were all shaken.They’re okay now—Tris is a wolf shifter and she and Khyle both shifted and healed themselves—but it worried us.Especially Ford, because you’re not living with us, and he’s concerned about your safety.”
“Oh, that’s why Ford’s been so distracted,” she said.
“We’ve all been preoccupied with how to keep everyone safe.Our other herd members are staying in the barn apartment for a while until we know for sure that it’s safe for them to be in their own homes.But it’s caused a lot of worry for all of us.”
“Why won’t Colton just leave you alone?”
“He’s crazy and he’s dangerous, a bad combination.”
“Thanks for trusting me with the secret.I promise I’ll keep it and I won’t tell anyone.”
“That’s all we ask,” Grey said.“Now, would you like to take a ride on your soulmate?”
“I’d love to.”
They walked back to the barn, where Grey put a blanket on Ford’s back and offered Darcy a boost.When she was settled on his back, she held onto his mane and leaned into him, resting her free hand on his warm hair as he trotted out of the barn.
“Have fun,” Grey said.
“We’ll be here when you’re done with your ride,” Tatum said.
“This is incredible,” Darcy said to Ford.“All of it.I can’t believe my soulmate is a horse.This is…wild.But feels right too.I love you, Ford.And I’m going to tell you again when you’re human.”
As he moved around the pasture, she let herself go into the moment, inhaling the sweet night air and looking up at the stars.He carried her smoothly around the pasture for a long time, and despite the crazy circumstances, she was well and truly enjoying the heck out of this.
She was riding her boyfriend who was a horse.
What were the odds?
She patted his neck and leaned over to rest her head against him.“My Ford.You’re an amazing guy.I’m so glad you’re mine.”
He whinnied loudly and she smiled.
She was pretty sure he’d just said the same thing back to her.
When Ford was be able to shift back a while later, he trotted into the barn with Darcy on his back.She slid off him with Grey’s help, and then Grey and Tatum left to return to the farmhouse.
Alone in the barn with his soulmate, a human who learned just hours ago that humans weren’t the only ones on the planet, Ford shifted.
Darcy jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly.He held her close, reveling in her acceptance.
“So you’re a horse,” she said when he set her back on her feet.
“Stallion.”
“And I’m a stallion’s mate.”
