Page 57 of Finders Keepers

“Look, Mommy! I’m riding!” She calls out, waving one hand before quickly grabbing the saddle horn again.

“Both hands, Miss Sophie!” Jake reminds her gently.

My heart does a little flip watching her, but I manage to wave back. “You’re doing amazing, Soph!”

“She really is,” Gavin says. “Jake’s a great teacher.”

The way he stands beside me, close but not crowding, makes me realize how tense I’ve been. For so long, I’ve associated being watched with danger. But there’s no judgment in Gavin’s occasional glances, no possessiveness, just… interest. Normal interest.

I find myself relaxing my grip on the fence rail, letting my shoulders drop from where they’ve been hunched around my ears.

“You’re doing okay too, you know,” he says quietly.

I look at him, surprised.

“Buttercup is the epitome of a gentle giant. Did you know she’s been giving riding lessons to kids for over twelve years? Never a single incident.”

I take a deep breath, trying to let his words calm me.

“Really?”

“Really. That mare has the patience of a saint and the instincts of a mother hen. She’s probably more protective of Sophie right now than you are, if that’s even possible,” he adds with a playful smile.

“Now you’re just making fun of me,” I say, but I’m smiling too.

“Maybe a little,” he admits. “But it’s working, isn’t it? You haven’t death-gripped the fence in at least two minutes.”

I look down at my hands and realize he’s right.

“Okay, fine. You win, Dr. Feel-Good. Your distraction techniques are very effective.”

“I have many talents,” he says, puffing up his chest dramatically.

“And modesty clearly isn’t one of them,” I tease back.

A silent beat passes as we both watch Jake lead Buttercup in a tight circle to change directions.

“You know what else?” he says, his voice softer now. “She’s got your determination. Look at how focused she is. That’s all you, Bailey.”

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and I turn to look at him. He’s watching Sophie with genuine admiration, and something in my chest flutters at the sight. The way the afternoon sun catches his features, I find myself studying his profile longer than I probably should.

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

“Just stating facts,” he says with a casual shrug, and I catch the pleased look in his eyes. He shifts slightly, clearing his throat before turning to face me fully. “Hey, I was wondering… what would you say to scheduling another outing with me?”

“Well look who finally made it to my ranch!” Ms. Lucy’s voice rings out as she approaches the fence. She’s wearing a straw hat, some loose jeans and a pink blouse today, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she glances between the two of us.

“Hi, Ms. Lucy,” I say, even though I flinched at her voice from behind me.

“Bailey, honey, I’ve been thinking,” she starts “Could me and Lil’ Bit head up to my house after her lesson and practice baking her birthday cake? She also mentioned a wrecking movie with a glitch in it that she wanted to watch.”

“Oh, I couldn’t–”

“I could sure use the sunshine.” She smiles.

I freeze, Ms. Lucy’s invitation hanging in the air between us. Gavin just asked me out. My mind races, trying to process both conversations at once.

“I…” My voice trails off as I glance between them.

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