Page 104 of Ethan

"You measure from the ground to the highest point on his withers—his shoulders. Stormy was about 1.7 metres."

I'm sure my eyes popped open. "That's huge!"

"As a rambunctious eight-year-old, I didn't think anything of it. I'd watched my sister ride him many times and it looked easy. I didn't account for how long she'd been riding and how skilled she was. Stormy wouldn't listen to me when I got him into the ring. He got sick of me on his back and bucked me off. Dislocated my shoulder and broke my arm in two places."

"And that didn't frighten you off?"

Ethan shook his head. "Nope. It made me more determined. I was just shy of thirteen when Stormy finally let me take him through a course. It was exhilarating to have him respond to me."

"I'd like to see you ride someday."

Ethan smiled. "We'll come out again." He chewed on his bottom lip as he appeared to be thinking about something. "There's something else I want to show you back at the house."

"Lead the way."

I followed him into the house, down some stairs into the basement, and through a family room with a u-shaped couch and massive television. Ethan opened a door at the far end of the space.

He flicked on the lights.

I was gobsmacked. It was a studio of sorts. An art table against one wall. A pottery wheel and a large work surface, littered with ceramic bowls and coffee mugs. But it was the walls that overwhelmed me. Every surface was covered with pencil drawings and paintings of various sizes.

I wandered further into the room, my mouth open.

Fuck.

I turned to face Ethan. "Did you do all these?"

"Over many years. From the time I was fourteen until about five years ago."

"Why did you stop?"

Ethan shrugged. "Life got in the way."

I turned slowly, taking in every absolute work of art. "These are stunning."

"Thanks."

"Have you ever considered selling some of these?"

Ethan laughed. "They're not that good."

I shook my head, my gaze wandering from piece to piece. "They are. I bet if you hung them in your coffee shop, your customers would be impressed enough to buy them."

"Hm. Never thought of doing that. It would add a bit of a gallery feel to the space."

I peeled my attention away from the wonders around me and held Ethan's face. "I didn't think I could love you more, but you've pulled me in even further. You're amazing."

"You've essentially admitted you're biased, but I'll think about the coffee shop angle. Especially the more colourful ones. I could see those on the walls of the shop."

"And you'll do more?"

Ethan sighed. "How am I going to find time to paint and teach riding lessons?"

"Prioritize. You have three loves. Baking, painting, and riding. Not telling you what to do, but I think you should figure out a way to balance them in your life."

"Four loves." Ethan wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. "And the fourth one is my most intense love. My love for you surpasses every other love in my life."

My heart fluttered.

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