“What are we doing in the stables? What could you possibly have hidden here to surprise me with?” I question, failing to keep quiet and wanting to get my head in the here and now to prevent myself from being sad.
Colt stops in front of a stall where a gorgeous deep brown horse with large white spots is standing.
“This here is Chucky. She’s an American Paint Horse. A breed that fits you perfectly. She’s twelve. No longer a rookie and I’ve ridden her a few times this week to get to know her since she used to belong to Alfie. She deserves more attention than he can give her but Alfie has three horses and he wanted to keep a new one he’s breaking in now. I knew she’d be perfect for you and Alfie agreed. Otherwise he wouldn’t have sold her.”
“She’s mine?” I croak, tears filling my eyes and I am grasping every bit of strength inside me to keep it together.
But I’m failing when I hear a sob, knowing it just ripped from my throat.
“Aw, dammit, sweetness. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Colt mutters and takes me into his arms.
Maybe it’s the overload of stress causing me to fall apart, or remembering my parents, or because a mere moment ago we heard the threat of my brother and Cannon has been handled. Whatever. The point is…I want to feel overjoyed with happiness. And I’m allowed to because in this moment I am wrapped in the embrace of a man who cared enough to kidnap me to keep my ass safe.
On top of it he’s given me so much more than just safety or as he stated it when he gave me the choice of his help; wait for me if you want to change your life. Clearly the wait is over because this man has drastically changed my life and I can’t imagine it any other way.
“Aw, she liked Chucky, didn’t she? All sentimental and shit,” Alfie says from behind us. “You better take good care of that little bundle of goodness. And I do mean the horse, not your old lady. Okay, clearly her too, whatever. You did mention about her mouth, did you?”
“I haven’t had the chance yet, Alfie,” Colt grumbles.
“What about her mouth?” I question.
Alfie steps closer and opens Chucky’s stable. “She’s too sensitive for a bit. It’s why I only ride with her using a hackamore, the headgear uses a noseband to control the horse. But she’s a real sweetheart and perfect for a beginner like you.”
“Thank you,” I croak and throw my arms around his waist to give him a hug.
It only lasts a fragment of a second before I’m pulled away.
“Yeah, not happening,” Colt grumbles. “He’s selling us the horse because he knows she’s staying here on the ranch and will be well looked after. Not to mention, you’re going to be riding her every day so she will get more attention.”
“I could still need a hug for it, brother.” Alfie grins.
“Like I said, not happening. Not from me and not from my old lady since you swing both ways. Go hug Joaquin and squash some chick in between.”
I plant my elbow in Colt’s ribs.
“Be nice,” I tell him in a firm tone.
“I was being nice to suggest he go have a threesome instead of getting a hug from either of us,” Colt grumbles.
“I could settle for you two hugging while I watch. But no tears this time. I hate it when people cry, it makes me uncomfortable.”
“It’s because you have no feelings, asshole.” There’s a low rumble coming from Colt’s chest before he adds, “Go watch Joaquin hug someone, weirdo.”
Alfie places his hand over his heart. “I do have feelings. I have many.” His hand starts to slide down to his crotch. “Especially when I grab–”
“We don’t want to hear it. So, leave us alone. We’re going to take Chucky home with us.”
Alfie laughs. “Fine. Want me to bring your bike over later?”
“Yeah, thanks. Why don’t you bring Joaquin along with you? Ledger and Mayven are coming by later too. We’re gonna grill a few steaks, hamburgers, whatever.”
“Will do.” Alfie points at Chucky. “Take good care of her for me.”
I give him a genuine smile and promise, “Absolutely. I already love her to pieces.”
Alfie snickers. “No wonder you’re with Colt. I was kinda worried with him not being loveable with his grumpiness, but I get it now. You fall in love that easy and all.”
“Get the fuck out of here, Alfie,” Colt snaps.
“Just kidding, grumpy.” Alfie laughs as he stalks out of the stables.
“Come on, let’s saddle up and bring her home.”
I nod enthusiastically at his words and the both of us fall into a routine like we’ve done every day with Cavier whenever Colt had time to teach me how to ride.
We’ve almost reached the cabin when Colt asks, “Like her?”
“Love her,” I tell him and look down at Colt but his eyes are set on the cabin in front of us.
We might have exchanged our feelings, but with Alfie mentioning how I fall in love easily, he made me think. Yes, I might fall in love easily when it came to the horse, but it was the same with Colt.
I thought he was extremely sexy the first time I met him and the attraction only intensified until it evolved into a solid bond between us. So, yes. It might be hard and fast, but it’s real and something I haven’t experienced before. And the way he takes care of me and goes through great lengths to make sure I’m okay and safe, I know we’re equal in our relationship;
