Page 83 of Headed for Home

“How convenient.” His wink is paired with a flash from his dimples. “What’s mine is yours.”

I flail my arms between us. “We aren’t married.”

“Yet,” he amends.

My laughter borders on hysterical. “You’re very presumptuous.”

Drake dips to kiss me. “Thank you.”

“That wasn’t meant as…” The fight abandons me, and I sag into him. “Oh, forget it.”

“You’ll keep her?” Hope brightens his tone.

“But she deserves to be more than a pasture ornament,” I mutter.

“What if she’s like Pago? You won’t know unless you try.”

There’s a lurch in my belly. “But they’re nothing alike.”

“Their connection to you,” he murmurs.

“You’re reaching.”

“Am I?” His fingers tug on my beltloop, pulling me against him. “Don’t deny your passion.”

“I have a simple solution,” Paisley interjects. “Leita can join my rotation. I won’t mind winning every competition we enter.”

My eyes roll. “Of course you won’t.”

“Somebody has to ride her for you to be satisfied. Might as well be me in the saddle. Unless you have a better idea.” My cousin stares at me, waiting for the reaction she’s aiming for.

I gulp as a familiar pang spreads in my chest. The pain accompanies a flood of memories. It hurts to imagine Pago as my past. He’s gone but never forgotten. Much like my competitive spirit.

But then I look at Leita. The mare catches me staring and whinnies. My heart melts like it did the day I first saw her. The ache fades. Guilt doesn’t slam into me. Instead, a lightness fills my entire body as if the weights holding me down suddenly vanish.

She can’t replace him. That’s never been her purpose. I’ve just been too stubborn to consider other options.

Drake saved me from making a huge mistake. I snuggle into his side while stroking Leita’s velvety nose. My very thoughtful boyfriend feeds her another carrot, which she happily crunches on.

“She’s a reminder of how sacred a bond between horse and rider can be,” I whisper. “Thank you for buying her, but I won’t take your money.”

He tucks me flush against him, bending to press his lips to my forehead. “How about a compromise?”

I lift my face to study his expression. “Such as?”

“You take her to a show. Just to see how it feels.” His thumb brushes along my cheek. “But no pressure. I’ll gladly pay thirty thousand to make sure she’s yours.”

My mind wanders to the steady thump of his pulse. Paisley takes Leita’s reins from Drake and walks her to the barn, already anticipating my response. The persistent pressure rooted deep inside of me loosens as a possibility appears. Maybe returning to this path is the right direction.

“I’ll consider a trial run.”

Warmth from Cassidy’s grin spears straight into me, spreading her joy through my veins. “I think we should celebrate.”

She laughs. “I haven’t decided yet. It’s a maybe more than anything.”

“That’s just a delayed yes. The smile on your face says it all.” I trace her upturned lips with a curved knuckle.

“Does it matter that much if I compete?”

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