Page 10 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Save it. I don’t need a lecture on the perils of dating from the guy who treats himself like an extended-stay motel.” That’s what her brothers said about him because he never dated women for longer than two or three months. “I’m sorry I asked.”
Doc grinned and splayed his hands. “There are too many fish in the sea to swim in one pond forever.”
She rolled her eyes. “If I said something like that, you guys would fit me with a chastity belt.”
“We’ve already got one ordered.”
“Shut up,” she said with a laugh. “Forget I said anything. Let’s stick to horses.”
After a few more minutes of teasing, she gave him an update on the horses, and when he left, she finished walking Gypsy and then took her back to the barn. She was latching Gypsy’s stall when Gus and Ezra, wearing a snug T-shirt that hugged his biceps, faded jeans, and black leather boots—Yum—walked in, sending her heart into overdrive.
“Hi, Sugar,” Gus said in a loud whisper, flashing an infectious grin. She had taught him not to yell or run in the barns. His mass of wild dark curls bounced around his adorable face as he dragged Ezra toward her.
“Hey, Gusto.” She ruffled his hair, sharing a smile with Ezra as they made their way back out of the barn. Gus was good around the horses, but at five, he was also a bundle of unpredictable energy. “What are you up to this morning?”
“We’re going on a trail ride to the meadow,” he said excitedly. “Wanna come?”
Gus came to see her all the time, and he never failed to invite her to do whatever they had planned, but she knew how much Ezra treasured his time with his son. As much as she’d like to jump on every opportunity to spend time with them, she always gave him an out in case Gus was speaking out of turn. She crouched in front of Gus. “That’s really nice of you to ask, but I don’t want to interrupt your time with your dad.”
“Daddy doesn’t mind. He said I could ask you.” He looked at Ezra. “Right, Dad?”
“That’s right, buddy, unless Sasha has to work or has other plans.”
“I don’t have plans.” As she pushed to her feet, Ezra’s grin set her nerves aflame. Maybe she could tell him how she felt today. “And I’m done here, so I have time.”
“Yay. Dad, she’ll come!” Gus exclaimed.
Ezra laughed. “I heard her.”
“Come on, Sugar.” Gus slid his hand into hers. “I wanna ride Moxie with you!”
Moxie was Sasha’s horse, a gentle ten-year-old Percheron cross they’d rescued six years ago.
As they headed for the other barn, where they kept the healthy horses, Ezra said, “We missed you at breakfast.”
She was glad he’d noticed. “I went for an ATV ride and wanted to get an early start on morning rounds.”
Ezra’s brows knitted. Like Doc, Ezra knew what that ATV ride meant.
“So you could come riding with us!” Gus said.
“You caught me.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “I was hoping you’d come by and sweep me off my feet.”
Ezra flashed an easy smile, warming her from the inside out.
She thought about how special their friendship was and how moments like these might not come as easily or as often if she put her heart on the line and Ezra didn’t reciprocate. The thought sent her stomach into a nose dive. She needed to feel him out a little more before jumping in with two feet.
“Come on, Daddy!” Gus grabbed Ezra’s hand and started running, pulling them both toward the barn.
They all laughed, her and Ezra’s gazes connecting over Gus’s head.
“I think my boy’s got that sweeping-you-off-your-feet thing down pat.” He winked, turning that nose dive into a gust of hope.
IT WAS A beautiful, sunny morning as Ezra’s horse ambled behind Moxie, following Sasha and Gus along the well-worn trail, winding through brush and grass and rocks. They’d been riding for half an hour, and Gus, sitting in front of Sasha, had been chattering the whole time. Sasha was as patient as ever, answering his questions and asking her own. She was always teaching Gus, reminding him to use soft hands on the reins, pointing out certain trees and bushes and dangerous slopes where he should never take a horse. As if he’d be off riding on his own next week and would remember every little thing she said.
She’d been that way with Gus since he was a baby. She’d fawn over him, like her mother and Birdie did, but she’d always treated him like he was a sponge who could learn everything and anything. Ezra would like to believe his son was a sponge for knowledge and love, but there were plenty of things he hoped his son might forget. Like the times his mother hadn’t shown up on her visitation days or made plans that didn’t include him on holidays. Gus had gotten so used to his mother’s unreliability, he appeared to take it in stride. But Ezra knew that could be the beginning of attachment issues, and he was keeping his eyes on him.
The meadow came into view, and Gus cheered, “There it is! Dad! There’s the meadow!”
