Page 103 of Saddled in Secrets
A sharp dip of his chin is confirmation. “Which is why there isn’t a single part of me that wants to see him.”
“Then you won’t. We’ll stay far away from that part of town.”
“We?”
“Are you planning to ditch me?”
The fire in his eyes is answer enough. “I love that you’re counting us as a cohesive unit that doesn’t split.”
My snort is very eloquent. “It’s cute that you pretend it hasn’t been this way for years. You’d be tracking my movements with or without my permission. I’m just finally catching on.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Meh.” I take another leisurely glance at our slice of paradise. “It’s serving me well.”
Before he can answer, a recognizable jingling enters our solitude. It gets louder as our scent is detected. Spud appears at the top of the hill, running full speed toward us.
“Awww, he found us.”
Colton puffs up with pride. “Trained him well.”
Our dog collides into us in a flurry of sloppy kisses and tail whips.
“Did Daddy let you out? I don’t even know where the button is.” My sing-song tone makes me sound just as clueless.
“Daddy takes care of everything, but he’ll show Mommy if she asks.”
“Nooooo!” I clap my hands over my ears. “You can’t do the baby voice!”
Which only encourages him. “Did you hear that, Spuddy Bud? I think Mommy is about to let me eat her for dinner. You better go chase a squirrel.”
My feet kick to pair with my giggles. “Stop, please. That’s too adorable. I can’t have another romantic orgasm this soon.”
His chuckle bumps our bodies together. “Wanna bet?”
I’m already shaking my head vehemently. “Absolutely not. I don’t stand a chance.”
“What if I told you that I bought us Halloween costumes for the Haunted Harvest Haze?”
My upturned palm meets my forehead. “That’ll do it.”
Colton catches me when I slump against him. “You’re the reason my past has a purpose. I’m trained to protect you and the future we’re building.”
“That puts a positive spin on it.”
“Just like you do for me, Princess.” His lips dust my forehead, branding me with his declaration. “You’re my bright side.”
Two days later, we arrive in Cloverleaf Meadows with a trailer full of horses and irrational desire thrumming between us. The latter might be one-sided. Bianca appears content in her bubble of chaos as I test every traffic law along the way. I’m ravenous for her. Constantly.
My palm squeezes her thigh for the tenth time in as many minutes. She doesn’t stop crocheting while smiling over at me. Whatever she’s making has her full attention until we’re pulling into Benson Farmstead.
It doesn’t take long for us to unload the horses and detach the trailer. Spud makes friends with his numerous siblings. Their chorus of barks trail us around the compound as we search for Bianca’s family.
“Guess they’re busy,” she sighs.
My eyes cast around the quiet stables. “It’s the middle of the workday.”
Her gaze narrows on me. “Are you still getting paid to watch me?”
