Page 21 of Cozy Cabin for Two
“I think she’ll have the foal late spring, would be my best guess. Now while I’m here…” the vet continued on with Daisy to see about another horse having some wheezing issues.
“You hear that, girl? You’re going to be a mama.” I continued to whisper things to her. Suddenly, she shifted her head over my shoulder as if drawing me in and giving me a hug. I wrapped my arms around her neck. Commiserating or celebrating over motherhood made me a little teary-eyed.
“Yep. You definitely have a way with her.” Ash hung his elbows over the rehung stall door. “You look natural here, Willow. What’s that you’re saying to her?”
“That she’ll be a good mother soon, and not to fear it. No matter what happens, she’s in a loving and caring environment and that we’re all here for her. Which was more than my father ever said to me when I told him I was pregnant with Ro.”
“Ouch. Stab me in the gut and twist the knife, why don’t you?”
I glared at him.“What’s that mean?”
“That if I’d been in California when you gotpregnant, I’d have forced that no-good preacher father of yours to wise up and be there for you.”
“Oh. Thanks, I guess.” A little too late now, but I appreciated his sentiment.
He cleared his throat and raked through his gorgeous hair. “Listen, about your emails? I did read most of them. I even saved a few of the best photos of you and Ro to my phone. As for responding, I didn’t know what to say at first. The longer I let it go, the harder it was to write. I am truly sorry, Willow. You deserved better. I should have been there for you and Ro.”
My eyes caught his, and we held there for a moment too long, until Juniper suddenly nudged me forward, shoving me in front of him. We shared a laugh. The horse turned her attention toward her fresh hay, acting all innocent-like.
I shook my head. “It’s okay, Ash. Things happened. We can put them behind us now, but thanks for apologizing.” Juniper nickered at us, nodding her head. “Do you think she understands what’s going on between us?”
“I do. Daisy says horses are very emotionally perceptive. You’ve got the magic touch with them. Ro, too. Come on. I think she’ll be okay for now.” He opened the door.
“Bye, Juniper.” I waved, then elbowed Ash as I slid out. “You know, anytime you need help with her, just call me.”
“You’re the expert now?”
Juniper whinnied and tossed her head in agreement.
“Guess I’ll have to visitmyhorse more often,” I said as I got into Ash’s truck.
“Your horse, huh?” He winked. “You could learn to ride her, too, when Daisy thinks she’s ready for you.”
“Better put me on Marshmallow first. The pony can be my training wheels,” I chuckled, and the way he smoldered his gaze at me with a sparkle in his chocolaty eyes caught me off guard.
Everything in my world suddenly came into crystal clear focus, hitting me with a vision—riding together with Ash through life. A partner. A place to belong. A second chance I never thought I’d get.
I was led here for a reason. Uprooted my life, and Ro’s, too, to be here. Took a chance in finding something to hold on to, and it finally seemed like Ash might meet me halfway.
Perhaps we weren’t so broken after all.
THIRTEEN
Stirred
ASH
By Friday,this had become our new routine—me showing up with a bag of Eldon’s pancakes, leaning in the doorway like I had every right to be there on the doorstep of my own cabin.
I told myself I was just helping out, being a good uncle, fulfilling the vow I’d made to Scott. But I knew I was lying to myself. This feeling of possession came over me more and more each day.
This was no longer about obligation, but about wanting the family Scott left behind. The family I never could have. And desire was a dangerous thing.
Willow greeted me with sleepy eyes I grew addicted to. “Red flannel today, and more pancakes? How many flannels do you own? Never mind. Youkeep showing up like this, and I’m going to forget how to do school mornings myself.”
I shrugged, casual on the outside, anything but on the inside. “I missed out on too much with Ro already. Not making that mistake again.”
Her expression faltered for a second, enough for me to catch a flicker of surprise. “So you’ll just show up every morning?”
