Page 61 of In Full Bloom

Sadie nods, absorbing everything Katie is saying. “Okay.”

“I’ll get her halter on and then would you like to lead her to the barn?” Sadie nods so fast I’m concerned for the safety of herneck. “Think your dad’s up for carrying a saddle?” The teasing lilt is back in Katie’s voice.

“Of course I am, princess,” I say.

She gives me a cheeky smirk. “Just making sure you’re paying attention.” She one hundred percent knows I zoned out.

At least she can’t read my thoughts, though maybe I should mention the existence of my bath to her, just so she has to think about it like I am going to be constantly until I can get her in it.

Sadie leads Scout to the barn, while Katie and I carry the tack that Katie had stripped off her and left hanging on the fence when we rushed to the hospital. Sadie is full of confidence with the horse, as she leads her exactly how Katie showed her.

As we walk, Katie explains more to her about how to keep safe around horses. Sadie absorbs every word and asks questions, both sensible and fantastical. I slow my steps, letting them pull slightly ahead of me, then pull out my phone and snap a picture of them together.

This is the kind of moment I want to remember. Sadie, the happiest she’s ever been now I’ve finally gotten over myself, side by side with Katie, the utterly gorgeous woman who’s given me a chance.

A chance to take her bruised, broken heart and prove to her I can look after it.

To prove to her that she can be happy here.

To prove to her that she’s home.

27

KATIE

Sadie and Dallasace their first horse lesson.

Dallas is still terrified of the animals, but he pushed through it. He helped Sadie and I wash Scout down and give her a thorough groom after Sadie had a quick bareback ride around the arena at the end of the lead rope.

Sadie was in her element, asking a million questions and handling Scout like she’s been dealing with horses her whole life.

I return from putting the tack away to find Sadie standing on a mounting block, carefully untangling Scout’s mane with a comb as she chats away to the mare at a million miles an hour, telling her all about her day at school.

I come to a stop next to Dallas, who’s watching his daughter with a look of blissed out wonder on his face. It’s a sight to behold.

So is the way his biceps flex as he crosses his arms.

“Stop by my place before you go home tonight,” he murmurs.

“Hmm?” I say, still distracted by his arms.

Dallas chuckles. “Eyes up here, princess.” He touches one finger to my chin and lifts my gaze to meet his. “Tonight?”

“Yeah,” I breathe, a flurry of nerves churning in my belly. “I guess we’ve got to figure some stuff out, huh?”

“It’s not going to hurt.”

“Says you. The talking’s the hard part. And I assume you’re not going to let me do theotherhard part until after?”

He laughs again, but smothers it quickly when Sadie glances our way. At least he’s not touching me anymore so that won’t raise any questions for her.

“One hard thing at a time, princess,” he says, voice low. “It’s better for us both if we’re on the same page.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, trying to brush off the panic I’m feeling at having to bare more of my soul to this man, even though he’s been gentle and perfect with every part I’ve already shown him. “We have terms to renegotiate, I know.”

Dallas watches me for a long moment, like he’s trying to puzzle me out. It’s disconcerting, like he can see right into my brain and pick apart my thoughts. “Is that what you want?” he asks.

“Yes,” I whisper. “I’m ready to change the terms of our agreement.”