“You good, Buck?” Zach said before he pressed a light kiss to her neck. His brother had looked at Evie with that same love in his eyes since they were kids. Sam was happy for them, so glad they’d finally come back together and worked things out, even though Evie would always bear the gnarly scar that forced them to confront their drama. Not that they were even officially dating, but he was glad the drama between him and Amanda had been more of a low-key, cautious misunderstanding and nothing that involved a traumatic brain injury.
“Oh yeah. I’m fine.” Evie leaned into Zach and kissed him on the mouth.
“Okay if I post some of these?” Sam handed Evie his phone and waited while she scrolled through the recent images in his camera roll.
“Yeah. Those are great. I’d love to take pictures while we ride, but Bam Bam and I aren’t quite there yet,” Evie said.
“Yeah. It’s a good idea for you to keep your eyes on the trail and both hands on the reigns for now,” Zach added. Evie was a more than competent rider, but Zach always put her safety first. Sam didn’t blame him.
He took his phone back and just as he went to open Instagram, his phone vibrated in his hand with a text from Amanda.
I can see the barn from here.
A picture popped up and from the looks of things she was about fifty yards away. What kind of gentleman would he be if he didn’t go around to meet her?
“Hey. Be right back. Amanda’s here.”
“Awwww shit,” Zach drawled out until Evie slapped his arm.
“Leave him alone. We got Majesty. Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” He gave his mare a soft pat, then headed around to the front of the stables. Their ride down the trails the whole morning had been exactly what he needed. Peace, relaxation. Some quality time and good laughs with his brother and sister-in-law-to-be, and his horse. He was able to clear his head and just enjoy himself. None of that, the levity or the joy, changed the fact that he’d secretly been waiting for a text from Amanda.
She’d been the last thing on his mind before he’d finally nodded off and the first thing on his mind when he woke up that morning. He’d heard her loud and clear. She needed to take things slow. He wanted to take things slow too. They already knew they were more than capable of burning it up between the sheets, but there was something about her. This warmth and this light that somehow came with this biting humor that Sam couldn’t seem to get enough of. Sam wanted to know her and he wanted to introduce her to Majesty.
He came around the side of the stable and there she was, walking down the dirt path. Euca, their Aussie shepherd mix, was trotting beside her.
“’Sup, Tex,” Amanda called out.
Sam felt a smile stretching his cheeks out like a fool. He didn’t think he’d be this happy to see her, but there he was. Giddy as a motherfucker. “Morning there, young lady!” he called back. “Wasn’t sure you’d be up before lunch.” Sam walked up the path to meet her. Amanda came closer until just inches were separating them. Sam wanted to kiss her. Just pull her into his arms and kiss the hell out of her, but he wanted the next move to be her call. He knew what he was feeling. The last thing he wanted to do was come on too strong too soon and send her running back to LA before she got a chance to see one of the only horses he knew with a full-on attitude problem.
Her smile matched his for just a moment, before her expression dropped. Her intense gaze ran over his face and for a moment he thought she was about to relay the prophecy of his death. Then suddenly she reached up and lightly drew her finger along the side of his head. His skin instantly heated at her touch.
“You look beautiful in this light, Tex,” she said with wistful lilt to her voice. A smile broke out across her face again. “I had a dream I slept all day and then when I finally showed up you said I was too late to see the horses ’cause they’d been shipped overseas for the night.”
“I have no idea what that means, but I’m flattered that you were dreaming about me.”
“I was dreaming about the horses, Sam. Please,” she teased. “I forgot to set an alarm and I think my subconscious was worried I would sleep all day. I woke up. I set an alarm, and here I am.” Then all casual and shit, she slid her hand against his. Sam didn’t hesitate to lace his fingers with hers. He looked down at their clasped hands and instead of saying something stupid about how well their hands fit together, he focused on Euca. She was patiently waiting for the two of them to follow her on her next adventure.
“These dogs are pretty into you,” he said.
Amanda reached down with her other hand and gave Euca a rough scratch behind her floral collar. “She was sitting in the lobby and then followed me out here. I tried to take her back, but the woman at the desk said it was okay if she tagged along.”
“It is. You a good trail guide, Euca? Huh?” His dog’s response was a sloppy lick to his forearm. “Thanks, girl.”
“So you have a horse for me to meet?”
“Bet your boots.” Sam turned and started to lead her back to the stables. Euca took point and trotted on ahead. “Her name is Majesty and she’s the love of my life.”
“How long have you had her?”
“About eight years.
