Page 70 of From Us, Forever

“Okay,” she mumbled.

I gently placed it on a pillow and gathered her in my arms.

“Sleep now.” But she was already out.

“Mmm, these pancakes are so good!” Evelyn moaned, licking the maple syrup from her fingers, and a sharp inhale left my lips at that sight. She looked adorable wearing her cowboy hat, which she hadn’t taken off since she woke up.

“It’s good to see you have breakfast for once.”

“It’s not like I’m against breakfast. They just get a bit boring,” she said, cutting her pancakes into tiny pieces and dunking them in syrup. “You know Monday eggs, Tuesday eggs again till Friday, and then Sunday turns up you get either pancakes or waffles, and then there’s cereal, which I consider dessert.”

“You know you just offended half the earth while you drink the same coffee on an empty stomach every single day like it’s any healthier.”

She glared, pointing a finger at me. “Don’t you dare say anything about coffee!”

I shook my head, smiling as I shifted my gaze to the field. We were on the outside porch, getting some late breakfast while the crew buzzed with the wedding prep.

“Finished,” Evelyn declared, leaning back on the chair and rubbing her tummy.

“Great.” I rose to my feet and extended my hand. “Let’s go.”

She scrunched her nose. “Where? The wedding isn’t until tonight.”

“I have something planned.” My lips curved, knowing how giddy she was going to get when she found out.

“Okay.” She smiled, and I led her away from the house and toward the barn. “Oh, are we going to see the animals?”

“Kinda,” I replied. The clatter from the house became nonexistent as we ventured farther with only the sound of the silent fields and airy breeze.

“Horses.” Her browns widened as she gaped.

Colt, the stable hand, nodded. “J.J., she’s ready, man.” He gestured to the beauty decked out in her saddle.

“Thank you,” I replied, stepping forward slowly. “Hey there, girl, remember me?” Her curious eyes swept across me, and I let her sniff me before stroking her silky brown coat.

I twisted to Evelyn, who was still gaping at me, her feet rooted to the same spot.

“Evelyn, come here.”

“No, I am not.”

Chuckling, I waved a hand. “She won’t bite.”

“How do you know?”

“I met her this morning.”

“Is that where you disappeared to? I knew you smelled like horses,” she accused.

“Evelyn, stop stalling and come here.”

“Okay.” She took tentative steps until she landed next to me.

“Here, hold out your hands like this and let her sniff your scent.”

“Like this?” Evelyn held out her shaky fingers, palms facing forward as she gently brought them to the mare’s muzzle.

“Her name is Astrid,” I said, stroking her coat and gesturing for her to do the same.

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