Page 17 of Shadow

We’re sitting under the stars and listening to the crickets chirp while the fire crackles in the firepit at the creek.

“Linds, I never expected anyone to be so calm about any of this. Hell, I haven’t been calm about it.”

I poke his side and pull the blanket tighter around me. “Maybe we are the ones who aren’t who you thought we were and not the other way around. Seems to me like we knew the real you all along.”

“It’s not like that. I swear. I know your family is good people. I do.”

“I know. The mind is a funny thing though. It can convince us of a lot of things and they’re not all pretty.”

“But you are,” he smiles down at me.

“Good one,” I lean up and kiss his lips.

“So, tell me a little bit more about this whole proposal that the Phoenix’s made.”

“Oh my gosh,” I can feel my whole face light up with excitement. “Olivia Phoenix and her husband sound like the real deal. They’ve got a place in New York and one in Georgia. The moment we can, they want me to come there and take a look at what they’ve got going and then they want to come here and help me put together a plan for bringing a world class facility right here to the ranch!”

“That sounds amazing Linds. I’m happy for you.”

“I am. I’m pretty excited.”

“You planning on driving or waiting until it's safe to fly again to head check it all out?”

I wrinkle my nose and shrug. “I’m not really sure. It’s a nine hour drive to either location. Not really sure I want to waste that much time driving.”

Garrett nods. “I hear you. So, when we can fly again, mind if I come with you?”

I shift in his lap. “You want to come with me and check things out?”

“Sure. Why not? I’ll understand if this is something you want to do on your own though. Totally.”

“No. I’d love it if you came with me. Whenever we can travel again,” I roll my eyes in frustration. “It would be nice to take a little time together though. Get to know each other without all the prying eyes and exciting giggles around.”

Now that things are out in the open, I’m pretty sure Grams is already planning our wedding.

“I like that idea,” he kisses the tip of my nose. “You know, your brother’s friend, Beckett, owes me a favor and he’s got a little place out by Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer. I can cash in that favor and we could escape for a weekend.”

“What? Really? You want to do that?”

“Fuck, yes, Linds. A weekend away with you. No chores, no work, no family breathing down our backs,” he winks. “Fuck yes.”

“Then let’s do it,” I encourage.

“I’ll give him a call tomorrow and see what I can arrange.”

I straddle his waist and give him another kiss. “You’re the best, Garrett Everleigh.”

“Keep telling me that, I might start to believe it.”

“I’ll tell you every day.”

Garrett nods. “Are you going to be able to take on getting a therapeutic riding facility set up and keep up training for Team USA?”

I sigh. “I don’t know. I guess I could hire people to help out and run things when I’m not around, especially if we have revenue coming in. Besides, it’s going to take time to get this off the ground so I suppose I’ve got time. This meeting with Olivia and Jameson isn’t a done deal sort of thing. It’s just the next step right now. I’m not really sure Team USA is really right for me anymore, anyway.”

His brow furrows. “What do you mean? It’s a pretty big deal, Miss Gold Medalist.”

“Itisa big deal but I always felt like I didn’t belong there. It’s...too big, for me if that makes sense. It takes a lot to chase that dream and while I’ll forever be thankful for the opportunity, I’m not sure it’s really mydream. This, helping others, being here, this is what I want.”

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