Page 176 of Forever To Me

I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. “I swear, y’all are the worst.”

Maggie waves a hand. “Oh, hush. Now, where is Violet? I wanna see her reaction.”

I glance toward the house, nerves rattling in my chest. Violet is inside with Poppy and Cami, completely unaware that I’m about to walk her outside and give her a damn horse.

Which, now that I think about it, might be an unhinged thing to do. Should I have started smaller? Maybe a nice saddle first? Too late now. I nod at Mack. “Go get her.”

She grins like she’s about to cause trouble, then takes off toward the house.

I adjust my hat, take a deep breath, and pat Stormy’s neck. “Alright, girl. Try to win her over.”

Stormy blinks at me, completely indifferent. Good talk.

The second Violet steps outside, she takes one look at Stormy and freezes. Her mouth falls open. Then, she slowly turns to me. “Walker,” she says, voice suspiciously calm, “whose horse is this?”

Maggie snorts loudly. “Oh, I love this already.”

I clear my throat, shifting awkwardly. “She’s yours.”

Violet blinks. “Mine?”

I nod. “Her name’s Stormy. Figured you should have your own horse.”

Violet stares at me, unmoving, for so long that I start to think I broke her.

Mack leans in toward Poppy. “She’s either about to cry or kill him.”

Poppy nods. “Fifty-fifty odds.”

Cami sips her drink. “I love a gamble.”

Violet finally shakes herself out of her daze andsteps forward, reaching for Stormy’s nose. The mare nudges her gently, like she already knows she belongs to her.

Violet inhales sharply, eyes glossy with emotion. “You really got me a horse?” she whispers.

I rub the back of my neck, suddenly feeling really self-conscious. “Yeah, Red. Thought you should have one, so we can all ride together.”

Maggie claps her hands together. “Lord, help me, I love a good romance.”

Eli grins. “So, when’s the wedding?”

Violet whirls around. “Oh my God, Dad!Can we have just one day where nobody plans my future like I’m in a Hallmark movie?”

Caroline chuckles. “Well, darling, if the boots fit.”

Mack gasps as she pulls out her phone. “OH MY GOD. That should be a song! As your official PR spokeswoman, I'm writing that down for you."

I groan.

Violet, laughing now, shakes her head and turns back to me. “You really got me a horse,” she says again like she still can’t believe it.

I shrug, watching her as she strokes Stormy’s neck, completely in love with her reaction.

“Do you love her?” I ask, keeping my voice light, but my heart is pounding.

She turns to me, smiling so soft, so bright, it knocks the wind right out of me. “I love you,” she says simply. “And her.”

And right there in front of Maggie, Mack, Poppy, Cami, Eli, and Caroline, she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me like she means it.

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