Still, I didn’t care. It paid for itself in other ways.
“You made it sound like this was just a camp, not that it was so life-changing. Why didn’t you tell me how much the horses meant to you?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
I do know—it’s because my life was a mess. I’ve worked so hard not to be that girl. The one who was angry at everyone, wanted to burn the world down because nothing was fair. Life isn’t fair, I know this, but I had a victim mentality until I went to that camp. I saw people who had it way worse than me. All of that changed me, but it was my therapist there, who gave me the permission to make my own decisions.
To go to college because I deserved it.
Feeling unworthy my whole life was hard, but being told by my parents I didn’t deserve better broke me.
I saved me by believing in myself.
Who the hell wants to say all that to a guy she banged and is trying to be professional with?
Not me.
“I’m glad you told me now,” Killian says with a grin. “We have two more things I want to show you.”
“Oh?”
We ride a little deeper into the forest and we emerge into a meadow. It’s not like the other pastures, this one is…untouched.
“Come on.” He smiles and then dismounts.
We’ve been riding for over three hours, and I don’t know that my legs will work. Instead of having to worry about my body betraying me, Killian is there, his hands outstretched, and I hook my leg over Billie-Jean, allowing him to help me down.
“Thank you.”
I clear my throat and drop my hands that were resting on his chest.
“I’d like to show you something that means a lot to me.” Killian extends his hand, palm up.
This is a bad idea, holding hands and walking through this beautiful vista, but, well I’m an idiot, what can I say?
I put my palm in his, and we walk through the meadow. This is one of those movie scene meadows too. It’s lush, green with sprinkles of different colored flowers. The wind blows softly, causing it to sway back and forth. We get to a three-rail fence and I look around, waiting for whatever it was that he wanted to show me.
“It’s just on the other side,” he says.
Of course it is. Thankfully, I’m in jeans and since I’m staying with Killian, I can wash my clothes. I climb over and he follows, then takes my hand again. We walk through and there’s the sound of rushing water.
We get through a clearing and I gasp as I see the most beautiful waterfall. It’s at least a twenty-foot drop, and while the water rushes, it then hits the pool and is calm and beautiful. “Wow, this is spectacular.”
He chuckles. “It is. The funny thing is, this isn’t eventheEmber Falls.”
My eyes narrow and I tilt my head. “What? There’s more than one?”
“This town is full of old folklore, all of it is stupid, at least, the bits and pieces I know. Apparently you have to have grown up here or be married or dating someone who did to get the full story.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “That is ridiculous.”
“Yup, so this is Falls Ember, as I call it.”
“Ember Falls in reverse? Cute.”
“The legend has it that the falls by Lachlan’s house have a magical pool that can make you invisible or some shit if you go in. So, this pool doesn’t do that, but it will make you an exceptional lover.”
I burst out laughing, not expecting that. “Really?”
