Page 43 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

A moment later, Jason trotted past them slowly on the biggest black horse that Travis had ever seen in person with this smart-aleck grin across his face.

“We’re not getting rid of my horse,” Jason announced. “Now, mount up. My sweet Petunia has some nervous energy to burn off.”

“Petunia, huh?” Travis chuckled as a slow smile touched his face. The man reminded him of Theo – brave, not scared of anything or anyone, almost to the point of foolishness. He would never back down from a challenge, and when he conquered it – everyone would know.

Yeah, maybe they weren’t so different from each other after all.

Becca was climbing into the saddle beside him, making Travis swallow as he stared at her swinging a leg over. She was graceful and beautiful, especially as she turned and extended her hand to him, smiling.

“Put your foot in the stirrup and slide your leg over,” she invited, smiling proudly at him. “Trust me – you’ll love this.”

I already do,he thought silently, mounting the horse behind her. He slipped an arm around her waist, treasuring the feel of her so close to him. They just seemed to fit, and he would trust her with his life, his heart, and his soul.

Yeah, he was falling hard for this woman, and it was more than he could have ever imagined. Hockey was his life, his everything, but Becca was quickly stealing the show. Seeing her here was like seeing a different facet of a diamond, just as beautiful as the others and utterly breathtaking in its own way.

“Are you ready?” she chuckled softly, looking over her shoulder at him as Toni rode past them with Matthew at her side, the two grinning and sharing a knowing look. Yeah, her family knew he was truly interested, and he really wasn’t bothering to hide his feelings in the slightest.

This weekend was for his Becca.

“I’m ready, sweetheart,” he said simply, carefully leaning forward to gently kiss her cheek. “Show me your world – and when we get home, I’d like to show you more of mine.”

“You’re on,” she murmured tenderly, craning her neck to drop a soft kiss on his sore nose. “Let me know if this is too jarring or hurts your little nose.”

“My little nose?” He chuckled softly, nearly blurting out the words straining to get free from his soul at her tender laugh and the light in her eyes as she smiled at him. No, when he finally told her, it would be when he could hold her close, kiss her, and show her how he felt.

Maybe I should take this as a lesson. If she can plan and put her dreams together, then perhaps I should do the same,he mused silently as the horse started to walk out of the stall, swaying gently.

Emerging from the barn, Travis saw the sunset in the distance and the four other horses and swallowed as a sense of home crept into his soul. There was such a wild peace and sense of belonging out here. He could see the outbuildings, the barns, and the animals in the distance as the grass swayed in the golden rays of the setting sun. His eyes scanned the horizon before resting on Becca’s profile, seeing more than he ever imagined for the very first time.

Travis saw a future with her – and it was breathtaking.

CHAPTER 14

BECCA

Becca was lyingthere in her childhood bed staring at the ceiling – tired yet wide awake. It had been a beautiful day, and her heart had never felt so full. She loved seeing Travis there with her family, all of them laughing and cutting up together. It was so good to see a smile on Jason’s face, to have Matthew at the house and not climbing in a window at two in the morning from some unknown woman’s house. Even Luke was coming into his own, speaking up and interrupting when he had something to say. To her, that was telling because her family could be very outspoken and ornery – but they were also deeply protective and loving.

Her cell phone on the nightstand suddenly lit up, illuminating the room.

Are you up?

Yes, silly. Why are you texting?

Because I don’t want your brother to hear me knock on your door, my poor little nose, remember?

Becca nearly laughed aloud at the sweet text message and the reminder of their horseback ride.

Your adorable sweet little nose…

That’s me – adorable and sweet.

So, this means that you ARE awake?

Yes, I’m awake, Travis.

Wanna sneak out and sit in the moonlight – just us?

Her breath caught in her chest at the text message – only to see him typing again.

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