Page 61 of Stables

I haven’t felt like that since Sophia and Mason’s wife were kidnapped last fall.

When I move through the gate and around the corner, whatever heartbeat I have comes to a dead stop.

Char is sitting astride a light roan mare with Paisley in front of her on the saddle.

She’s also wearing the tiniest bright red shorts and snug little blue t-shirt I’ve ever seen.

It’s fucking criminal how much blood leaves my head and surges into my crotch. These are the wrong damn pants for that.

Forcing myself to stare only at the horse, I try to inhale through my nose and let out a long exhale.

“Libby left?” Just keep looking at the bridle.

Not Char’s supple calves or toned thighs.

“Just a few minutes ago. I told her ifheshowed up between then and now, Whiskey here would outrun him.” Char leans over her daughter to pat the neck of her meandering ride.

“Whiskey looks a lot like my niece’s horse, Misty. Are they related?” All I want to do is let my eyes travel Char’s body, from where her shirt reveals the skin of her hips to the swell of her breast puckering the fabric.

Her brows furrow and she rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Who’s your niece?”

“Sophia McCullough.”

A broad grin spreads quickly across her face. “Oh! I love her! How is she doing? I hope Misty is performing for her?” She leads Whiskey close enough that I can reach out and hold the rein closest to me.

Flipping her leg over the wide saddle in a practiced motion, she hops down.

Jesus, the bouncing of her chest when she lands makes my palms burn to touch her.

She barely stands level with the back of the fourteen hand roan as she reaches up towards Paisley.

“Well, Sophia broke her leg last summer, but she said Misty hasn’t skipped a beat since she’s been back on her.”

“No! My gosh, did Misty do that? These two are sisters, I’m training Whiskey like I did Misty, but that’s a scary thought!” Char pauses with her palms wrapped around Paisley’s calf to look at me.

I resist the urge to touch her shoulder. “Misty did everything she was supposed to. Sophia will tell you herself she’s the one who made the error. I’m pretty sure that horse is going to take her to the championship.”

Tears well in the corners of her eyes.

What the hell? Did I say something wrong?

“That would be so incredible! I wonder if she’d let me add that to my farm creds?” She excitedly jumps on her toes.

Please, don’t ever stop bouncing, but just this once…I can’t take much more.

“I’m sure she’d be thrilled.” My mustache twitches watching her.

The urge to reach out and tug her to me is getting harder to resist.

“I’d love to see her in action. Whiskey has a ways to go, we’re still working on learning the patterns.” She finally pulls Paisley down, who promptly takes off in a staggering run towards the trough nearby and reaches her hands in to splash.

“Well, I’d be happy to take you to the next rodeo, if you try not to let Libby leave early. Or at least text me that she had to run.” I try not to glower.

But fuck, I was unsettled when I came back to an empty house. More than I thought I’d be.

Char falls into step next to me while I lead the horse, a smile dancing over her lips. “I knew you’d be home soon. Besides, it felt good to ride again. It’s been a few days.”

If she’s feeling better, I have something she can ride. There’s a solid chance she’ll be walking funny for a while afterwards, though.

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