Page 49 of One Summer Day (Prosperity Ranch 1)

They soon saw the smaller arena where Ruby was on the pony, with Rex holding the reins.

“She’s a natural,” Holt said, “and so are you.”

Macie scoffed. “I’m far from a natural.”

“It’s true,” he said. “I mean, you’ve relaxed in the saddle, and I think you’re ready to ride on your own. Pull back on the reins.”

She did, and before she could protest, Holt had dismounted. “Just keep her walking, I’ll stay by you. Don’t worry, Bonney’s a good girl, and we don’t have far to go.”

“All right.” Macie took a deep breath and flicked the reins. Riding the horse by herself was surreal. Soon, she was grinning.

Holt smiled up at her.

At that moment, Macie knew she wanted this, wanted him. There was no doubt in her mind. She couldn’t have found a better man in Holt, and it seemed that he was equally interested in her. She could only hope that Knox wouldn’t come and destroy it all.

“Mommy’s riding a horse!” Ruby called out.

“I sure am, sweetie,” she said. Then to Holt, “Now what do I do?”

“You rein Bonney to a stop, then climb down.”

Macie did so, and even though Holt was close enough to help her, she managed to dismount without any trouble. She wanted to hug Holt and thank him for taking her riding, but Rex was only feet away.

“What did you think?” Rex asked.

“A little scary, but I loved it,” Macie said, a happy buzz still coursing through her.

“Good to hear,” Rex said, looking from Macie to Holt with the slightest crease in his brow.

What had that been for? There was no way Rex could know they’d kissed, right?

“I’ll put Bonney away,” Holt said.

Macie tried to focus on Ruby and her chatter after Holt disappeared inside the barn, but her mind was with him and what had happened between them on the ride. Then panic would flash through her at the thought of Knox showing up at the ranch soon.

“Mommy!” Ruby said. “Can I? Please? Please?”

“Please what?” Macie said with a laugh, sure that Rex had noticed her inattentiveness.

“Go with Grandpa to his meeting.”

Surely, Rex hadn’t invited a three-year-old to a meeting.

“How about after your nap, we go into town and get ice cream,” Macie said.

Ruby looked both disappointed and happy at the same time. “Okay.”

It was a minor miracle that Ruby hadn’t thrown a fit. The three of them walked back to the barn. Holt wasn’t inside the barn any longer, and Macie felt disappointed. She already missed him. Was he in the office? Could she come back after getting Ruby down for her nap?

When she got back to the house with Ruby and settled her for a nap after three stories, Macie went into the kitchen. She’d told Heidi to write out lists in the morning of what help she needed with dinner preparations. Now, she read the pink sticky note on the fridge. Thaw chicken breasts in cold water. Slice tomatoes and cucumbers. I’m at a ladies’ luncheon this afternoon.

Easy enough. Macie was glad the woman was getting out for a little while. Heavy footsteps caught her attention as she was filling a bowl with water. Her first thought was that Holt had walked in, but then Rex came into the kitchen. For some reason, this flustered her.

“Hi,” she said lamely. “Can I make you a sandwich or anything?”

“My meeting will include a lunch,” Rex said as he crossed to the fridge. He pulled out a pitcher of juice, then poured himself a glass.

As he drank, Macie stayed busy with the chicken. Then she set to work on slicing tomatoes.

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