Page 42 of Bewitched

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Wednesday, April 26

Lubbock

Paige cinched her saddle, looked over her shoulder and admired the view of Blake bending over. He was checking the hoof on his horse, and the way his Wranglers fit was a testament to God’s good grace. Turning back around, she smiled. He was the most delicious man she’d ever known, and he seemed to want a place in her life, which was still sometimes difficult to accept.

Walking around her horse, she checked everything and then waited for Blake to finish saddling his. “Should I grab the bridles out of the tack room?”

“I’ll get them, honey.”

“Okay.” She leaned against the post and admired the field of bluebonnets that lay beyond the arena. The Carmichael Ranch was beautiful, and she’d really enjoyed getting to know Blake’s family over the last couple of days. His mama had welcomed her with open arms and had given her a bunch of pictures of Blake as a baby. He was as cute then as he was now. If her son turned out as good-looking as his daddy, then there were going to be a lot of girls hanging around the house.

Blake came out of the tack room and handed her a bridle. “I think she’ll lower her head. If she gives you a hard time, then I’ll do it in a minute.”

“This sweet girl isn’t going to give me a hard time.” Pressing a kiss to the horse’s nose, she managed to get the bridle on without a problem. Glancing around, she searched for a step stool because getting on the horse from the ground wasn’t going to be possible with her tummy.

Blake led his horse over and gave her a smile. “Ready?”

“Sure. I just need something to step on. I can no longer heave this body of mine up on a horse without a little help.”

“Dad has something on the other side of the arena. We’ll mount over there.” He leaned in, cupped her behind, and gave a little squeeze. “I’ll make sure to hold on to that sexy ass of yours and see that you’re comfortable.”

Twisting, she glanced at her behind and laughed. “It’s going to have its own zip code before too long.”

Sliding his arm around her waist, he snugged her in close and dropped a big kiss on her lips. “I like it and I’m damn glad that ass of yours is mine.” He moved his hand down and squeezed again. “Maybe I can talk you into rolling around in the grass out by the creek.”

“If I get off this horse, I’m not going to get back on, so I’m thinking the smooching will have to wait till later.” Winking, she led her horse away and added a little extra sway in her step. If the man liked it, then she was going to make sure he got the full show.

***

Blake rode next to her and kept telling her to slow down. “Blake, I can’t go any slower. If I do, then we’ll stop altogether.”

“I don’t want to take any chances. I’m not even sure if we should be riding this distance.” He gave her a disapproving glance and then shook his head. “Maybe you’re too far along to be riding.”

“That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Your mama rode up until her eighth month with all you boys. I’m not even at the halfway point of my pregnancy. There’s very little that I can’t do.” Pressing her knees in, she urged Sugar to take a faster pace. Blake was beside her in a moment with a stern look on his face. “Stop being so paranoid.”

“You and the baby are my world, and I’m going to make sure you’re both safe, happy, and taken care of. No matter what you say or how much of a fuss you kick up.”

“You are leaving in a matter of days, so I think it’s going to be difficult to achieve what you’re suggesting.” Shrugging, she looked out across the meadow and wondered why he was spouting so much nonsense. She’d been aware that their time together was limited and had kept her emotions in check accordingly. He, on the other hand, acted as though there wasn’t an end date stamped on their relationship. His life was in San Diego and hers was here in Texas.

“Honey, have you thought about what I suggested the other day?”

“You mean coming to San Diego for a visit?”

“Yes. What else would I be talking about?”

“Blake, we talk all day, so there are lots of possibilities. And to answer your question, yes. I have thought about it and I don’t see it as an option.”

“Why? You might enjoy the summer in Coronado.”

“I’m sure I would. But if you’re cleared next week, you won’t be there. I’ll be all alone and pregnant. That doesn’t sound like a good idea. I have my family, and they will take care of the baby and me. If I need anything, one of them can be at my house in ten minutes. I won’t have that in San Diego.”

“You and our baby are both my responsibility. I want to take care of you, and I can’t do that if we don’t live together.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s unrealistic. If you’re on active rotation, you could leave in the middle of the night and be gone for months. Who would I call if I needed something?”

“I have a lot of friends, and my oldest brother and his family live in San Diego. If you needed something, they would help out.”

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