Page 39 of Curveball

Theo nodded. "Y'all have fun. Holler if you need anything, there are some low branches out in Tex and Ranger's pasture that I need to trim." As Theo faded off into the direction of the pastures, Farrah and Hadley made their way up the aisle towards me. Excitement poured off Hadley; she was practically vibrating. I’d seen Farrah four hours ago, yet the sight of her still managed to seize my lungs. She had her long hair pulled up in a ponytail and had changed into a loose-fitting tee. She wore her old cowboy boots and ripped jean shorts that revealed miles of long, toned legs.

Making my mouth fucking water.

I'd always loved every version of Farrah, but casual, dressed-down Farrah was my favorite.

Hadley raced right up to me. "Horseys!" Her green eyes bounced between Tex and Ranger. Both of my horses lowered their heads, curious about the small human.

My gaze met Farrah's before I glanced back down to Hadley. "Do you want to help me brush them?" Hadley bounced up and down on her toes, nodding excitedly.

"Hady girl, remember you need to be calm and quiet around horses." Farrah glanced up at me with a smile that seeped through my skin and warmed my entire body.

"Has Hadley been around horses before?" I asked.

Farrah nodded. "Yeah, she's actually taken a few lessons now with Lacey at your sister's place. She loves it."

"Awesome. Well, I thought she could help me brush the horses, and then I could give her a little ride on Tex, if she's up for it?"

"She'll love that. I have her helmet in the car, I can go grab it real quick." Farrah pointed her thumb over her shoulder before turning and heading back out of the barn, leaving Hadley and me alone with the boys.

I grabbed a brush and handed it to Hadley. "All right, Hadley. You're in charge of brushing Tex. He's pretty dirty, and he's pretty big. Do you think you’re up for the challenge?"

"Yes!" Hadley exclaimed. As excited as she was, she listened to Farrah's earlier instruction and slowly approached Tex. She held her little hand up underneath his nose for him to smell. Tex lowered his head, looking for treats, making Hadley giggle when he licked her hand. I sat back a moment and watched this sweet little girl interact with my gentle giant. Tex loved her—constantly turning his head to look for her and to touch her. Hadley remained focused on the task at hand. She brushed Tex meticulously—well, all the areas she could reach. I grabbed a stool to help her reach up higher before showing her how to clean his feet out with a hoof pick. I grabbed a comb for Hadley to brush out his tail, then lifted her up so she could brush out his mane. She asked me questions about my horses and told me about her favorite horse, Pancake, at my sister's barn. By the time we were done with Tex, I had completely forgotten Farrah was standing there watching us.

Hadley and I were lost in our own little world.

Farrah had a look in her eyes I couldn't quite place, but when I spoke, the look quickly vanished. "Hey, do you want to groom Ranger while I tack up Tex?"

She smiled and nodded. "Sure." She grabbed a brush and got to work, but I had a nagging feeling that something had shifted. Farrah seemed to be in her head, distracted, and I wanted more than anything to peer into that gorgeous brain of hers and know what was bothering her—but that wasn't my place anymore, hadn't been for a long time. So, instead, I shoved that feeling aside and grabbed Hadley's hand, leading her to my tack room to get the saddle and bridle for Tex.

Chapter 19

Farrah

This. This right here was what I’d always imagined my future to be. A child, horses, and…Walker. Watching the way Walker treated Hadley, the way he spoke to her, his patience, the glimmer I saw shine in his eyes when he looked at her—it felt as if there was a vice grip wrapped tightly around my heart. I rubbed at my chest absentmindedly to ease the ache as I sat at the top of the fence surrounding the outdoor ring where Walker was leading Hadley around on Tex.

Today had been both wonderful and devastating.

Wonderful to see the joy and excitement Hadley felt for Walker's horses, but devastating because it was a sobering reminder of what could have been. This was what I’d always wanted but couldn't have… not anymore.

My gaze drifted slowly down Walker's body as they passed me, making another lap around the ring. Damn it, the man could wear a pair of jeans. That baseball butt, doing work. He wore a fitted dark gray t-shirt, the seams being tested as they stretched across his corded arms and thick chest. Walker was all man now. He had always been tall, but he was thicker, stronger. I slowly trailed my tongue along my lower lip, eyes completely glued to his ass. Walker looked over his shoulder and winked. Was I drooling? I quickly turned my attention away from his ass and out toward the pasture where the donkeys grazed, feeling the heat rise up my cheeks.

"Mommy! You see me?" Hadley was beaming as Walker led her over to the fence.

"I did! You did so well!" I hopped off the fence and patted Tex on his neck.

"She's a natural." Walker smiled up at Hadley. "Hads, do you want to get Tex put away and go see the donkeys?"

Little butterflies instantly took flight. Walker giving Hadley a nickname made me weak.

Hadley nodded eagerly, and the two of them headed back to the barn with Tex as I followed closely behind… not at all taking another opportunity to take in the backside of this man.

You’re supposed to be interested in Ryan.

After Tex was put away, we made our way out to the donkeys, Bert and Ernie, letting Hadley love all over them as we sat back and watched. My brain felt like a jumbled mess. Walker used to be my best friend, the person I told everything to, and now I couldn't seem to even form a sentence around him. He made me nervous, and I wasn't sure whether it was because of the strong attraction that was still very much simmering beneath the surface, or the fact that I didn't know this man anymore.

Walker probably knew I was distracted and stuck in my head, but I could tell I wasn't the only one. He kept glancing over at me, opening and then closing his mouth, as if he also couldn't quite figure out what to say.

He finally broke the tension, but not in the way I had expected. "So, Ryan. He seems like a nice guy."