Page 29 of Wilder Heart

A jolt of panic cut through him. He hadn’t meant to say that. Luckily, they arrived back at the barn. He parked the wheelbarrow, tugged his work gloves off, and said, “All right, listen. If you’ll run up to the bunkhouse and grab an apple, I’ll let you feed Blaze a little treat. How about that?”

She brightened. “Okay!” She ran through the barn and out the other side to cross the yard toward the bunkhouse, and he breathed a sigh of relief as she went.

He walked around to Blaze’s paddock and reached the fence at the same time that Annalise came barreling out of the bunkhouse. Slower on her heels, emerging into the sun’s rays like a god of light, was Cash. Wilder’s eyes lingered on him, the long length of his jean-clad legs, the way his hunter green shirthugged his shoulders. He turned, and when their eyes met, the rest of the world fell away.

God, he had it bad.

“I got two, Uncle Wilder, is that okay?” Annalise asked, drawing his attention away from the beautiful cowboy across the yard.

“You trying to spoil him or something?” he asked gruffly, and she laughed.

“Maybe! I want him to like me.”

“Come on, then. Climb on up.” He stood behind her while she climbed halfway up the fence. She’d probably done this a thousand times, but he was paranoid about her getting hurt on his watch. For some crazy reason, this little girl trusted him, and he’d rather saw off his own arm than let her down.

Blaze had already spotted them at the fence, and when Wilder clicked his tongue, he drifted over, swishing his black tail. His ears were trained toward them, his liquid black eyes wary.

“He doesn’t know you yet,” Wilder explained, “and he doesn’t trust easy.”

“I know. I’ve been watching you work with him. He likes you, and I want him to like me. So I’ll act like you.” She clicked her tongue just as he did and held the apple out, waiting.

Wilder didn’t move, pursing his lips to hide the smile that tried to form. It was… strangely flattering that she’d taken the time to learn and emulate how he behaved. Lain had surely taught her how to act around horses, but he appreciated that she had faith in the wayhehandled Blaze.

As he suspected, Blaze took a while to work up the courage to come closer. When Annalise’s arm started to waver, he slid a little closer and tucked his hand under hers, taking the weight of her arm for her. She blew out a quiet breath of relief.

“Come on, boy,” he said gently. “You know me. And I know you want this apple.”

Blaze snorted softly, closing in on them. Beside him, Annalise inhaled and froze, like she was afraid to even breathe.

“It’s okay,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around her so he could brace it against the fence on her other side. “Just stay still. He wants it so bad, he’s gonna risk it.”

“He’s so pretty,” she breathed. “I’ve never seen a prettier horse.”

Warmth bloomed in his chest. He’d never expected to be here, admiring a horse with Lain’s beautiful daughter, who trusted him enough to stand so close, to listen to his advice. In this moment, he felt like he belonged. On this ranch, with this horse and this little girl, earning their trust one apple at a time, whether he deserved it or not. Neither of them knew about his past. Neither of them cared. This moment together was all that mattered.

When he turned his head, he realized Cash was still behind them. Closer now, quietly observing. The warmth blossomed into a hot flush.

“I know,” he said, unable to take his eyes off Cash. “He’s beautiful.”

After dinner,Wilder returned to Blaze’s paddock. Putting the pad and saddle on the mustang’s back was easier than coaxing him to take the bridle. He considered the benefits of a bitless halter, but he’d like to at least know Blazecoulduse a regular bit if needed.

The sun cast molten colors across the horizon as he gave Blaze time to get used to the weight of the saddle on his back andthe reins touching his neck. The others were out at the fire pit again, and he felt eyes on him as he gave Blaze time. The horse shuffled in place a little but remained calm. It was a good sign. When he was sure Blaze was settled, he grabbed the saddlehorn and lifted himself up.

“There we go, boy,” he cheered gently.

Blaze took off, loping around the paddock. He fussed at first, but soon he was letting Wilder guide him. He turned him in the opposite direction, ran a few figure-eights, and worked on starting and stopping. And when he was sure Blaze would take direction when needed, he stood in the stirrups and waved Cash over, who was watching him. Always watching him.

“Open the gate for me, would you?” he asked breathlessly.

Cash lingered at the gate lock, his eyes reflecting the same excitement that thrummed through Wilder. “He’s ready?”

“He’s so ready it’s killing him. Open it up.”

Cash inclined his head, grinning wide as he unhooked the gate and swung it open wide.

“Go, boy,” he urged, with the barest nudge against Blaze’s sides.

That was all it took. Hooves skidded in the loose dirt as Blaze bolted. Someone whooped excitedly as they blew past the fire pit. Wilder’s hat flew off, and he tucked himself down, holding the reins slack so Blaze could stretch his neck out and run wide open.

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