Page 18 of Won’t Let You Get Away

“No, wandering horses is not a normal thing.” I smile at Rosie who continues to watch Bri intently. “But Rosie wandering is pretty standard.”

“That can’t be good for the vines! If she’s eating the inventory or?—”

“She never goes up there.” I cut off her rant and turn to face her. “Tucker says she likes to hang out by the cabin, occasionally napping by the back porch. She doesn’t wander far.”

“So, you don’t have a solution to contain her?”

“Thought you liked horses, Sugar.”

The nickname slips out before I can stop it. Bri freezes, cheeks flushing a pretty pink as she turns her gaze back to me.

“Yes, I do. Just not before coffee or breakfast.”

Fair enough.

I gesture towards the clipboard Mack tossed aside in his wake.

“There’s a list of supplies we need for fence repairs. So, your stray horse problem should be resolved within a few weeks.”

Though she’s still blushing, Bri refuses to look at me. Rosie approaches her, dipping her head slightly.

“I think she likes you,” I comment.

Bri’s gaze quickly flicks to me, then back to Rosie hanging around in front of her.

“May I touch her?” Bri quietly asks.

“I believe she’d welcome it.”

“But how?”

Her simple question causes my heart to pound in my chest. Struggling to find the right words, I step behind Bri, barely leaving any space between us.

Keeping my movements slow, giving her plenty of time to tell me to stop and back off, I reach out and take her hand, making sure to handle it gently. Guiding her palm towards Rosie who huffs in response, closing the distance between them to sniff for a treat.

With my free hand, I fetch another sugar cube from my pocket and reach around Bri’s other side. On reflex, I guide the cube into her outstretched palm.

Bri laughs softly when Rosie finds the treat. She leans back into me as I help her move her hand down Rosie’s neck. Though she doesn’t need my guidance anymore, I can’t bring myself to pull back.

In front of me, both females release sighs of contentment.

“Bri...” My voice hangs in the air as my forehead comes to rest on top of her head, and I’m enveloped in the subtle scent of apples. Disappointment that she never called is temporarily dissolved by the impromptu moment we now share.

She pulls away from my embrace, her head shaking as she creates distance between us. “Not yet,” she says with a broken voice, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I know we need to talk about…this,” she gestures between us. “But can I have a few days to just…breathe?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation.

Her voice is uncertain and tired, the toll of packing, moving, and starting a new job with her parents evident in her rambling.

“Between all that’s going on, I-I’m sorry, what?”

Needing to occupy my hands so I don’t do something impulsive like pull her back into my arms, I continue stroking Rosie. “Take all the time you need. You know where to find me when you’re ready to talk about…” I trail off, unable to articulatemy thoughts. When she doesn’t respond, I sneak a glance at her and see her studying me intently. “What?”

“I don’t know. That’s not the answer I expected.” She murmurs.

“Clearly,” I scoff.

“Why?”

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