Page 35 of Summer Redemption

When we come, we do it together, our bodies covered in a sheen of sweat and our hearts racing in time with each other. We don’t need words as our eyes stay locked the entire time.

Love blankets us and there isn’t a doubt in my mind that we’ll face tomorrow, and every day after, stronger. And together.

CHAPTER 13

SUNSHINE

Waking up alone is a little jarring when I fell asleep with a giant heated blanket in the form of Huxley Burns wrapped around me. But he’s not there now and my heart sinks because of it. Then I remember the colt and I’m certain Huxley got up early to check on them.

I wish he would have woken me up because I need to draw some blood and test them to make sure they’re getting the colostrum he needs. With a glance at the clock, I realize there’s still plenty of time in the testing window.

Taking a moment, I lay back in bed and spread my arms and legs out wide like a starfish. The memory of the new colt isn’t the only thing that rushes back to me. Huxley told me he loves me last night. And I believed him.

Not only did I believe him, feeling the truth of his words reverberate through me, but I admitted I love him as well.

I’m not even sure when it happened. Or how it happened.

He just inserted himself into my life and refused to back off. Surprisingly, I’m glad he did. I never really thought I would fall in love with someone the way I have with him. Not only does he get me, but he also listens to me and cares about my feelings and my happiness. It’s kind of strange, given our past. Now I realize there was so much more going on than a boy being cruel.

It has made forgiving him so much easier.

Without forgiving him, I wouldn’t have this feeling of warmth in my chest. I wouldn’t have someone who looks at me like I’m everything.

After heaving myself out of bed, I’m surprised to see the bag I keep in my truck on the floor near the door. I keep travel size bath stuff as well as a change of clothes because I never know what I’m going to encounter when I do home visits. If I get disgusting, I want to be able to change into something clean.

I shouldn’t even be surprised that Huxley went out and grabbed my bag. It’s totally the kind of thing he would do just because he’s trying to take care of me. How can you not love a guy who does something like that?

After taking a shower and getting ready to face the day, I rush down the stairs until I hear voices coming from the kitchen and dining area. The moment I get to the doorway, I freeze.

The entire Burns clan is milling about and getting the table ready for breakfast. As if he can feel my eyes on him, Huxley turns toward me, and I get the pleasure of watching the way he lights up the moment he locks eyes with me.

“Little Ray,” he murmurs as he moves toward me. When he wraps his arms around me, I shamelessly faceplant into his chestand snuggle in. I feel more than hear the rumble of his laugh. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did,” I mumble, not moving my head, “but I didn’t like waking up alone.”

I swear I can feel his contentment at my words, the smug jerk. His arms move up and down my back, soothing me to the point I could fall asleep again.

“Sorry,” he whispers. “I went out to the barn to check on the colt.”

With my chin on his chest, I peer up at him and get excited because I’ll be going to spend time with a baby horse soon. How is that not a good day right from the start?

“Feed me so I can go and check on him myself,” I teasingly demand.

The smile on his face is blinding.

“Sunny,” Macklin’s voice rings out and I turn toward him to find him barreling toward me. I barely have enough time to brace myself and Hux’s hands tighten on my hips. “Did you hear?”

My eyebrows pull together as I ask, “Hear what?”

“Sierra had her baby. It’s a colt and August and I get to name him,” he exclaims with a huge smile on his face while practically bouncing on his toes in excitement.

“I did know about the colt,” I inform him. “I was here last night and saw him being born.”

“You were?” He gasps the question, his eyes wide with surprise.

“I was,” I confirm. “Hux called me because he was worried about Sierra and wanted to make sure I was here in case she needed help. He’s a big boy, so he’ll need a strong name.”

“I suggested Blaze,” Macklin tells me, and I can’t help but grin.

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