Page 23 of My Not So Wicked Ex-Fiance (My Not So Wicked 2)

Dolly poked her beautiful Palomino head out to greet me. I could see in her brown eyes that she was tired, like any new mother would be. I rubbed her muzzle. “Hey there, girl.” I peeked in the stall to see her chestnut foal curled up in the hay not far from Dolly. “You did good.”

“Another filly,” Mr. Orton informed me.

“She’s beautiful. Does she have a name yet?”

“Madison.”

“I like it.”

“Dane picked it out.”

Dolly nudged me to make sure I didn’t miss any of her spots. She and I were well acquainted. I’d spent my fair share of time out in the stables talking to her. Not sure why I chose her to tell all my cares to. Maybe it was her understanding eyes or her docile manner. I moved my hand up to rub her forehead and then her neck. “How’s the momma doing?” I asked Mr. Orton.

“She came through it like a champ.” He patted her neck. “I have to head out. We have a group coming back from a trail ride. As always, you are welcome to stay as long as you like. You know where we keep the apples and carrots. Dolly probably wouldn’t mind a treat or two.” He gave me a wink.

“Thank you, Mr. Orton.”

He shook his head at me. “You’re too polite to live here.”

“Have a good evening,” I called to his retreating figure.

I sighed and kissed Dolly’s muzzle. “It’s just you and me. Sweet girl, these last few days have been something. Remember my ex-fiancé I told you about?”

I swore Dolly nodded her head.

“Well, he’s here. I recommend that you stay away from him. He can charm just about anyone. It’s the eyes and the accent. Don’t fall for it.” I walked toward the refrigerator near Dolly’s stall that was made to look like a cabinet to grab her an apple or two. Her favorite was the pink lady variety.

Dolly eagerly gobbled up the first apple, always careful not to nip.

“You know,” I rubbed Dolly’s head while she chewed, “he said he hardly recognized me. Can you believe that? I have half a mind to go find him and tell him off. What do you think?”

“I think he’d be interested to hear what you had to say.”

I dropped the extra apple, hoping by some miracle Dolly had learned to talk, but that voice was unmistakable. I slowly turned in the direction of the voice that could charm anybody into about anything. I’d had firsthand experience.

He stood at the entry with the sun behind him showing off everything God had given him, including his cocky smirk.

“What are you doing here?” I stuttered.

“It’s time, Shelby.”Chapter EightI wanted to crawl in Dolly’s stall with her despite the less than appetizing smell and the pile of manure in the corner. It was surely better than the pile sauntering toward me.

Dolly nudged me as if to say stand tall, girl. I did my best. “How did you know I was out here?”

Ryder let Dolly smell him before he patted her. The traitor Dolly acted as if she enjoyed it. She even closed her eyes like I used to when he stroked me.

“I heard there was a new foal and wherever there’s a baby of any kind, you’re sure to be around,” Ryder spoke more to Dolly than me.

My heart pounded so hard I was finding it difficult to form a reply.

Ryder picked up the apple I had dropped and started tossing it in the air and catching it with one hand. His troubled eyes made contact with mine. “Why, Shelby?” Anger surrounded my name.

I shook my head—my own anger welling up inside. “You know why I left.”

“I heard that bull you told Bobby Jay about me leaving you. It was called a business trip and you knew I was coming back. Hell, I came back early. You want to know why?” His voice raised.

I said nothing.

“I’ll tell you why. Because my fiancée’s phone number no longer worked and none of my relations could get ahold of her. I drove all night to make sure you were okay, and guess what I found?” His eyes seared into mine. “A moving truck in front of your place.” He shook his head in disgust. “My momma got a note that day saying you left and weren’t coming back.” He stepped closer, heat and anger rolling off him in waves. “How could you? No decent person would do what you did.”

I got right in his face. “How could I?” I cried, reaching into my pocket to get my phone, fumbling from shaking so bad. I was trying to pull up those god-awful pictures I had been refusing to look at since the first time Momma sent them to me. I don’t even know why I saved them. Maybe for this very moment. It took me a few tries, but I was finally able to pull them up.

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