Page 190 of Holiday Hire

"You'll see. Be patient like you always tell us," Ace scolds.

She puts her hands in the air. "Okay, okay."

I kiss her on the lips, and I can't wait to pick her up and take her to the cabin where we decided to spend the first night. All I want to do is make love to my wife, but I know I'll have to wait all day for that.

We finally step inside the barn, and I ask the boys, "Are you ready?"

One of the horses lets out a loud neigh, and Phoebe jumps in my arms.

I laugh. "Don't worry. You're not going to get bitten by any horses."

She tilts her head, smirking.

She's actually become quite the rider. We go on rides almost daily. Sometimes I can't go, but she'll go with the boys after school. But more often than not, she's on a horse.

Wilder instructs, "Okay, take the blindfold off."

I release it.

Phoebe blinks a few times.

Ace orders, "Look! He's yours!"

She gapes at the white horse.

Wilder announces, "It's not just any stallion. It's a rare one! Look at how white he is."

She gazes at the huge animal.

My stomach flips. "Do you like him?" I've scoured everywhere, looking for the stallion, and I'll be just as crushed as the boys if she doesn't like him.

She continues to gape.

"Aren't you excited? You have a stallion," Ace asks.

She stares a little longer, then looks back at me. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I thought you needed a stallion," I cockily state and then wink.

She laughs and looks back at the horse.

Wilder suggests, "You should get on him...feel him out."

I grunt. "Phoebe's not getting on the horse in her wedding dress."

She looks at the stallion again.

He steps forward.

She reaches out and pats him, then says, "Wow. You guys really got him for me?"

Ace answers, "Yes! But Dad wouldn't let us name him. He said you have to name him."

"I get to name him?"

"Yeah, it's your horse," Wilder says.

She stares at her gift, petting it.

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