Page 23 of Coming Up Roses

He strides back to his tractor. I watch him go, leaning back against the fence and letting myself have this one moment toadmire him from behind. He reaches up and grabs a handrail attached to the tractor, swinging himself up the steps. The twinge in my belly hits again as his jeans tighten around his ass. I have got to stop ogling him.

Aurora must agree, because at that moment she snakes her nose through the fence, snagging the carrot from my pocket.

“Hey!” I spin around and she tosses her head. “Sorry girl,” I murmur, dropping my voice to a gentle, soothing tone. “That carrot wasn’t for you.” Aurora crunches down on the vegetable. “What am I going to give Paddy now?” The tractor rumbles to life and heads out towards the paddocks, a bale of silage trailing behind on the bale feeder. I watch it go, then return my attention to the horse.

A few minutes later, I’m still scolding Aurora for her thieving tendencies when Sadie and Katie arrive.

I recount the story, minus the lusting after Flynn part—because that is exactly what I was doing, as much as I don’t want to admit it—and Sadie giggles. Katie laughs too, but the look of joy on her face when she hears Aurora approached me first definitely outweighs the humour she finds in Aurora stealing my carrot.

“Now I don’t have anything to give Paddy,” I say to Sadie in mock despair.

“It’s okay,” Sadie says, then pulls four carrots out of her jacket pocket. “I brought lots.”

“Sadie!” Katie stares at the carrots. “No wonder we keep running out so fast.” Sadie giggles, staring up at us with the most innocent expression. That kid could get away with murder with a face like that. “Go grab the lead ropes,” Katie says.

“Okay.” Sadie dumps the carrots into my hands then turns and races towards the barn.

Katie releases a long breath and shakes her head as she watches Sadie go. “That kid’s hysterical.”

“She’s incredible,” I whisper.

“She sure is.” Katie turns to me. “It’s why she’s my favourite human.”

I furrow my brow. “Isn’t Dallas your favourite human?”

“Him?” Katie shakes her head and laughs. “Absolutely not. He’s a pain in the ass. Sadie’s got him by a country mile.”

But I can see it in her face—it’s clear as day—exactly how much she loves Dallas.

“You’re living together?” I blurt. I was trying to ignore the urge to ask when she referenced them running out of carrots.

That pulls Katie up short. “Not officially.” Her relaxed posture from a moment ago has vanished and now she’s rigid and stiff.

“I’m not judging, or have any issue with it,” I say, trying not to sound judgemental. “I just didn’t realise. Not that it’s my place to have an issue. I’m going to shut up now.”

Katie shoots me a smile, like she understands the rambling and what I’m trying to say. “I know it seems fast. It feels fast, even for me. But I do love him, and being here makes me happy. Being around them makes me happy.”

I smile, but even I can tell it’s watery around the edges. I can’t believe I gave that all up. It didn’t feel like I had a choice at the time, and I’m a better person now. A stronger one.

“You make them happy too,” I say. “I’m really glad they have you.”

“And we’re really glad you’re here too.” She sniffs and I realise her lashes are lined with tears. “Right, let’s get these horses ready. Where’s Sadie?”

“Here.” My daughter skids to a stop beside us, holding up three lead ropes and halters.

“You ready for this?” Katie asks, the tears that welled in her eyes subsiding.

“Sure am,” I reply and share a grin with her.

Katie. My ex’s new girlfriend. My child’s stepmum.

I meant what I said.

I am really glad they have her.

12

ABI

---