Page 76 of Hello Quarterback

He shook his head exasperatedly, looking so much like Fletcher it was crazy. “If I hear from Hayes one more time that I should have gone to trade school...”

I leaned up against the wall. “You know how it is. Everyone thinks their way is the right one.”

Bryce tilted his head. “You’re right. I’ve been thinking he should have a business degree to run that shop.”

“Nah,” I replied. “Running that shop’s an education all its own.”

“There you go, sounding like Hayes again,” Bryce grumbled.

I smiled at my little brother. “Time gives the best perspective.”

“Okay, fortune cookie.”

Mia’s boots clacked on the floor as she came into the kitchen, and damn, did she look good in denim and leather. Paired with a flowy white blouse, she looked like country heaven. I took her under my arm, kissing her temple.

“Help,” Bryce said, making prayer hands. “He’s giving me life advice.”

Mia looked up at me, smiling. “Is it good at least?”

“Yes,” I answered at the same time Bryce said, “No.”

She chuckled, shoulders shaking under my arm. “So, what’s this surprise?” she asked me.

“It’s outside, waiting for you. Let’s go.”

43

MIA

Very rarely didanyone surprise me. Even more rarely was the surprise pleasant.

So I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way outside as Ford led me down the gravel drive toward the barn. I knew whatever he had waiting for me would be amazing.

When we reached the big red building and I saw two saddled horses waiting in the corral, I stared at him in shock. In fact, I couldn’t speak. I pointed at the horses and then at us. “Really?”

His easy grin caught all the light coming down from the clear blue sky. And he looked so damn handsome, his family home surrounded by bright yellow sunflowers silhouetting him. “We’re going for a horseback ride, then a picnic by the creek,” he said.

My mouth was hanging so far open I couldn’t form words. Horseback riding? That was something I watched in romantic movies or read in novels—not something that happened to this city girl in real life. It was too good to be true. Especially considering I spent my years from eight to ten years old obsessively reading horse novels and collecting figurines. “Really?”

He nodded, opening the gate to the corral. I was glad he told me to bring boots as we stepped over the mixture of dried manure and dirt, making our way toward the horses. They were gorgeous, their short sleek coats catching the light. One was the typical chestnut color you’d expect of a horse, but another had the most interesting coat, white flecked with bits of copper and onyx. That one had a white mane and tail that nearly glistened in the sunlight.

As we drew closer, I watched with awe as the animals swished their tails to shoo an errant fly or nipped at their chests. Every so often, they shifted, making their hooves clop in the ground.

Ford pointed at the chestnut one, saying, “This is Acres,” and then to the white speckled one. “And this is Blister.”

“Blister?” I said. “He’s such a pretty horse though.”

Ford chuckled, stepping closer to pat Blister’s muscled shoulder. “Apparently, Dad got blisters from the saddle because it took so long to break him to ride.”

As I looked up at the creatures, I said, “Are you sure they can hold my weight?” I didn’t want to hurt them.

“These are strong horses,” he answered. “Built for work. And if they can carry me, they can carry you.”

I stared up at them in awe, and then back to the man who gifted me something money couldn’t really buy. “Can I pet him?” When I glanced at Ford, I noticed the midday sun sharpened and highlighted just how attractive he was.

I was so distracted by his looks, I was surprised when he covered my hand with his and brought it to the horse’s side. His palm was warm as he guided my hand over Blister’s soft coat, powerful muscles twitching underneath.

I smiled up at him. “This is like every girl’s childhood fantasy.”

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