Page 62 of Yours for the Taking (Falling For A Rose)

“You’re okay. It’s just a slow jog.”

Carla relaxed a little. “Whose idea was it to go horseback riding?”

“On the flight over here, you said you wanted to ride a horse.”

She mumbled, “I wasn’t talking about this damn animal.”

“What?”

“You know, Jacob, I appreciate you for taking me so seriously. I’m still surprised we’re in Barbados and not downtown Chicago at the virtual center.”

He smirked. “What’s the fun in that when we have the world at our fingertips?”

She looked between him and the field in front of her. “We do?”

“Absolutely.”

She thought it over and shrugged, one shoulder up, then the other. “If you say so.”

“I do. Now hold on.”

Her eyes lurched, and he slapped the hip of her gelding again. The animal kicked up a bit of speed.

“Aaaaah!”

Laughing, Jacob and his gelding galloped behind her, keeping close to their speed in case he did need to rescue her.

The breeze flew around them as their horses turned and ran back up the field. Jaw locked, Carla squealed, but the adrenaline did make her giggle. She was terrified and excited while holding on to the idea that she was safe with Jacob, whether he was behind her or beside her.

Her heart thumped with the speed of the horse’s gallop; then again, once they reached the curve of the field, they turned and rode back down the field.

This was pretty awesome, Carla thought.

She closed her eyes briefly and let the wind whip around her. The gelding slowed, and when she opened her eyes, Jacob was riding next to her.

“Feel better?”

Her lips spread. “Actually, I feel great.”

He nodded. “Good. Could you stand to get a little wet now?”

Her mind shot straight back to the gutter. “Are you playing with me?”

He laughed. “Yeah. I am.”

“You wrong for that.”

“No, seriously. I think we can ride the waves next, if you’re game.”

“Surfing?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you know how to surf?”

“I do. If you need lessons, I’ll teach you.”

“I might know a thing or two. What don’t you know how to do, Mr. Rose?”

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