Page 124 of Back in the Saddle

‘How … Are you real?’ he whispered, surveying her with glassy eyes.

She bit her lip, forcing the tears not to fall. ‘Hello, Hunter.’

Before she could say anything else, he took her face in his hands and kissed her, releasing butterflies that had been firmly locked away since she left Oklahoma.

EPILOGUE

Caroline had lived her entire life adamant that there was no such thing as fate. It was easier to believe that, given all the bad things happening in the world. The idea that all the heartache, all the tears and the trials she had experienced in her life could’ve had a purpose was awful. But maybe, just maybe, there was something to be said about things working out the way they were meant to.

It had been a year since she reunited with Hunter at Tom’s bar. She still couldn’t believe that Tom had plotted the whole thing with Anna.

Apparently, Hunter had run into Anna in the pizza place he had taken Caroline to. They’d chatted for a while, and he told her he was moving to Aberdeenshire and showed her the equestrian facility. Anna, not wanting him to move somewhere he didn’t know a single soul, gave him Tom’s number. She had known his entire family since he was a boy; conveniently, she omitted telling Hunter that Tom was Caroline’s lifelong friend. She also hadn’t told him Caroline had already got into the oncology training in Aberdeenshire and was living in Banchory. Anna and Tom got in touch and schemed to getCaroline and Hunter back together. They had come clean only after she moved in with Hunter, which arguably didn’t take long – only a month.

Initially, Caroline feared Hunter had only moved to Aberdeenshire for her. Knowing how close he was with his family gnawed at her every time he mentioned them; she knew all too well what it was to miss the people she loved. She thought he would regret it and leave; and she didn’t think she could bear it.

But weeks passed, months. He threw himself head first into renovating the rundown Windswept Hooves equestrian facility, dreaming up big dreams of reopening a riding school alongside applying for a planning permission to add further stables for boarding. It was plain to anyone who looked his way that he was truly content.

She was so happy, so thankful, that he’d taken that leap. He was the right person who she met in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Now, her heart permanently soared in the air like a robust kite incapable of losing wind.

Aberdeen used to be her home. Hunter had taken over that special place in her heart. The fact they got to live where her soul belonged was the most delicious icing on the cake. For a time, Caroline had worried that Hunter would want children. They had talked about it so much, possibly more than any couple who had children. He had assured her he didn’t; that it wasn’t because of her, but that he enjoyed being a fun uncle.

Dallas and Star came to a stop on the path, bowing their heads to drink from the River Dee. Despite how much of a nightmare navigating horse export from the States was, Hunter had managed to bring them over. When Caroline came round to meet Star again, she had a distinct feeling the marerecognised her. They had spent hours trekking the area, alone and with Hunter and Dallas.

It was a Saturday morning. Summer was in full swing, putting to shame all the jokes people liked to make about how dreadful Scottish summers were. Caroline was off work for the entire weekend, having prepared for something special. One thing that could make her even happier than she already was.

She loosened her grip on the reins, fumbling with the saddle bag.

‘What are you looking for?’ Hunter asked, stroking Dallas behind his ears.

‘Nothing,’ she replied in a sweet voice. Pushing around the contents of the bag, she smiled when she found it.

‘No, seriously, what are you up to?’ he asked, approaching her from behind and sliding his arms around her waist. ‘Is it something naughty?’ he whispered into her ear.

Caroline shivered, swatting his arm away. ‘Bedroom is the only naughty area.’

‘Tell it to the living room carpet. We’re lucky we don’t have any neighbours close by. Given you’re a screamer.’ He winked.

‘You’re the cause of those screams.’

Hunter chuckled. ‘I know. I’m a very skilled man.’

She swallowed, closing her hand around a pair of cool metal objects. ‘Hunter. About your visa issues—’

‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it sorted.’

‘Yes, I know. But what if you didn’t have to? What if there was an easier way?’

‘What do you mean?’

Caroline grinned. ‘Isn’t it obvious? Marry me.’

He just stared at her. ‘Darling, you don’t mean that. I know you don’t want to get married again. I get it. We don’t have to.’

‘I know we don’t have to. But I want to.’ She put her hand on his chest, right over his heart. ‘I love you. I don’t want a wedding, but I want marriage if it’s with you.’

She opened her other palm, revealing a pair of gold-rimmed spurs. ‘I didn’t think a diamond ring was your style so I got you these.’

Hunter’s eyes widened. ‘These were my father’s. How did you—’

---