Page 60 of Billionaire Undeceived - Devon

She was frustrated.

I could hear it in her voice.

Reese was a strong woman, and it was evident that she hated these involuntary responses because of her trauma.

“It will go away, Reese. It’s your body’s response to previous trauma. You’ve never had a chance to deal with the PTSD from the shooting. Be patient with yourself.”

“I’m trying,” she said in a calmer voice. “Are the horses really not afraid of storms like this? I keep thinking about Luna.”

“Some horses are scared of thunderstorms,” I admitted. “Horses are like any other animal. Some react and some don’t. Luckily, none of mine are that reactive to storms. Especially if they’re inside and they feel safe. Luna is a trooper. She’s never been that bothered by storms.”

I felt her body relax a little.

“Thank God,” she answered. “I don’t like the thought of her being afraid.”

Reese had gotten incredibly attached to Luna, and Luna to Reese. “I was going to save this until tomorrow, but I think you could use a distraction right now. Luna is yours, Reese. I want you to have her. The two of you belong together. I can’t officially change ownership right now because you’re under an assumed name, but I will after all of this is over.”

The distraction obviously worked, because her eyes widened and the apprehension in her gaze disappeared.

“I can’t just take an expensive horse from you,” she protested. “I adore her, but I can’t do it.”

I grinned at her. “You’re going to have to,” I teased. “I think she’s adopted you as her owner. She’s bonded to you. You’re her preferred person. She doesn’t care about the rest of us anymore.”

“I feel like I’ve bonded with her, too,” Reese replied. “But I can’t just take her from you.”

“Yes, you can,” I urged. “I never ride her because she’s too small for me, and I have plenty of other horses. You love her. Admit it.”

“I do,” she whined. “And I’d love for her to be mine, but I’ve looked up prices on the breed. A horse with her bloodlines must have cost a fortune. And what about your mom? Luna was her horse.”

“My mother would be thrilled if you took over ownership. She’s happy that someone is loving on Luna and riding her every day because she can’t anymore. It was hard for her to give her up, but she’s more bonded to the horse she kept.”

“Is it really possible that she could be mine just like that?” she said, her voice awed. “I need to pay you for her, Devon.”

“Billionaire boyfriend, remember,” I said playfully. “Your money is no good with me.”

She slapped me on the arm. “Why do you have to be so stubborn? Luna is worth everything to me.”

“And seeing you happy is worth everything to me,” I countered. “Just take her as a gift and a favor to me.”

I knew that Reese owned a small house in Spokane, and that she didn’t have any property, but we’d figure that out later.

I was hoping she’d decide to stay in Montana.

Hell, I was counting on it because I didn’t think I could do some kind of long-distance boyfriend thing with Reese.

It would kill me.

It wouldn’t be impossible for me to relocate, but it would be pretty damn complicated with our offices in Billings.

I knew I was jumping ahead of myself because Reese and I didn’t know what would happen with our relationship, but I knew I’d never be the one to break it off.

I couldn’t imagine her not being part of my life anymore.

“Okay,” she finally conceded. “This whole billionaire thing is going to be an adjustment for me. My parents have been good to me, but I’m not wealthy. I make a good salary, but I’ve always been on a budget. I refused to let them help me purchase my home. They’re getting close to retirement, and they need to enjoy the money they worked so hard for over the years. I’d barely moved into my own home when this happened. I was so proud to be a homeowner on my own, but I never really got to enjoy it.”

“All of this will be over soon, Reese. I know it’s been dragging on forever, but Kline can’t run from the authorities forever. He’s gotten lucky a few times, but they’ll get him.”

“I keep telling myself the same thing,” she said with a sigh. “I just hope he doesn’t hurt anyone else before they do. One of the things I remember the most is the crazy look in his eyes before we were shot. His mind completely snapped. He was kind of an unpleasant guy, but he wasn’t completely crazy before he lost his wife and child.”

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