Page 103 of A Beach House Beginning

If he’d still been drinking, he would have figured them for a hallucination, brought on because he hadn’t stopped thinking about them since he’d driven away from Ellen’s house two days earlier.

He never would have expected to find them waiting for him when he returned from one last ride to work out the kinks before heading to the airport.

But here they were.

He slid from the horse and looped the reins loosely around the top rail of the fence, then started toward them.

To his shock, Hope took several steps toward him, completely unsupported by her mother.

“Look at you!” he exclaimed, meeting her halfway and pulling her into a hug.

“I’ve been practicing,” she said, a definite note of accomplishment in her voice. “My mom’s been helping.”

“I’m so proud of you, Hope! You’re going to be running races in no time.”

“As long as they’re barrel races.”

He laughed and she hugged him, then stepped away, standing on her own.

“Thank you so much for the horse. I love her. She’s so perfect. I rode her today all by myself.”

Aw, hell.He’d forgotten all about the horse. That must be why they were there. He had really hoped to avoid a scene like this. He slanted a look at Christa and found her watching him out of those huge green eyes that seemed drenched with emotions he couldn’t identify.

He wanted to shove his hands in his pockets, but he thought he might need them if Hope started to wobble.

“You’re welcome. I hope she’ll do until you can ride Shiloh again,” he finally said.

“She will. She’s perfect. Her gait is so smooth. You should see her!”

He made a noncommittal sound, knowing he never would. He wasn’t coming back. He was going to sell the Silver Spur and stay far away from Sage Flats. The alternative was just too painful.

“I have to sit down,” Hope said suddenly, and he saw the signs of fatigue in her eyes.

“Are you all right?” Christa asked, stepping forward.

“Just tired.”

“You shouldn’t wear yourself out just for me,” Jace said. “Come on, let’s get you inside.”

He scooped her up and carried her into his house, setting her on one of the couches adjacent to the big river-rock fireplace that dominated the room.

“Could I have a glass of water?” Hope asked.

“Of course! I’ll get you one.”

Before he could head to the kitchen, Christa spoke up, addressing him for the first time since he’d ridden up to them. “I’ll help you.”

He shot her a look of surprise. Yeah, he’d led a pretty worthless life the last two years, but he figured he was probably capable of grabbing a glass of water on his own. Still, he said nothing as she followed him into the empty kitchen, where he found a glass in the cupboard and turned on the filtered-water tap at the sink.

The glass was almost full before she finally spoke. “Jace, I... I don’t know what to say to you. You gave her a horse!”

He hadn’t expected seeing her again to hurt so much, this steady ache in his chest he could barely breathe around.

“You don’t have to say anything. I don’t want your gratitude.”

She fell silent. “What do you want?” she finally asked.

Your love. Your arms around me. To kiss you again before I die right here in my kitchen for wanting you.

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