As she cleaned the wound, I watched her work, enjoying the way her brow furrowed in concentration, the way she bit her lower lip, and the way she’d quickly become the most important person in my world again.
“There.” She smoothed a new bandage in place and met my gaze. “All patched up.”
“Thanks.” My stomach growled again.
“Let’s go eat before you implode.”
“I’ll need to check on Comet before we go to dinner.”
“I’ll come with you.”
We finished dressing, and it was fully dark by the time we stepped back outside. Stars blazed overhead in the clear Outback sky, so many and so bright it almost hurt to look at them.
“Wow, look at that sky. It’s so beautiful.” Sapphire tilted her head back, showing me the line of her neck.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
She lowered her gaze, and her eyes filled with sadness. “Kayden.”
I pressed my finger to her lips. “Shhh. Let’s not ruin a perfect night.”
She nodded.
But it was too late. The sadness she’d put into just saying my name had been enough.
Chapter 24
Kayden
* * *
Sapphire let me hold her hand, and as I told myself that had to mean something, I led her around the machinery shed along the familiar path toward Comet’s yard.
Comet nickered when she heard us coming, raising her head and stomping a hoof, letting us know she didn’t want company. As usual, she was against the far side of the paddock. The Milky Way made it possible to see her well enough to know she was relaxed—much different from the stance she’d maintained in the first couple of weeks.
“Hey, girl,” I called to her across the darkness. “Sorry I’m late today. Things got complicated.”
Sapphire stepped onto the bottom railing and rested her arms on the top. “How long will you leave her alone like this?”
“Just until she lets me put a rope on her neck without me having to lasso her.”
I opened the feed tin, grabbed the flashlight I kept inside, and turned it on. Rose or Bella occasionally put unwanted food items in the tin.
“Hey look, Comet, you got a couple of apples today. Your favorite.” I tossed one toward her, making it land halfway between us.
Comet huffed and pawed at the ground. The brumby had filled out since I’d started working with her. She was still lean and wild-looking, but healthier, with fewer ribs showing.
“Come on, girl. I know you want it.” But she didn’t come forward. “Stubborn as usual.”
“Don’t they all start stubborn?” Sapphire asked.
“Not like this. She was nothing but trouble when I first captured her, fighting every step of the way, refusing to trust me. She was too wild to handle.”
“Hmmm, now who do I know who’s just like that?” Sapphire cocked her head at me.
I slapped my chest. “Me? You think I’m too wild to handle? I think you handle me just fine.”
Sapphire’s eyes met mine, and something passed between us.
