Page 55 of Save A Horse
“Let’s get cleaned up.” I messed up his hair and nodded, then went down the hallway to my room. I could hear his footsteps behind me, stopping before I made it to my room. “I’ll hop in the shower first so I can go work on supper!” I knew his footsteps had ceased at his door. I was already inside my room and couldn’t see him, but I could hear his words.
I sat on the floor in front of my bed, sprawling my legs out in front of me. I was worn out. A day of swimming always did that to me. I raked my hand across my forehead and pushed my hair out of my face.
There were so many thoughts running through my mind, but I knew that I was in no shape to think about them at this moment. I was too exhausted and hungry. I sat there and peeked at my door.
“Hey! I’m out now. You can go ahead!” I stepped out to let him know I heard what he said, and I couldn’t believe the sigh in front of me. Colt was standing there with only a towel wrapped around him. I swallowed hard.
He was breathtaking.
I could see his muscles, clear as day.
His longer hair dripped down his neck, lying on his head.
I turned and went into the bathroom, shaking my head at what I had just seen.
Colt knows me.
He makes me smile and laugh, just like when we were kids.
He makes me excited for the days to come.
He makes me see the future.
He calls me out on my crap, which no one else has ever done.
He is everything.
“Smells amazing in here.”
I stepped out with a T-shirt, shorts, and a messy bun. I was going for comfort, even if Colt was preparing a meal for us. I knew he wouldn’t mind what I waswearing, as long as I was there.
“Thank you. I’m not finished just yet.” I glanced over at him, stirring something on the stove.
“No worries. Don’t get your panties in a wad, cowboy. I can wait.” I took some plates down from the cabinet, along with some silverware from the drawer, and set the table. I was hungry, and I would help if it meant I could eat sooner.
“You don’t have to do that. I will get to it.” He was sweet. I liked that he had planned this whole day for us. It made it that much more memorable.
“Nonsense. You’re cooking. The least I can do is set the table.”
I stood at the table, staring at him for a minute. He had this perfect, muscular, and rugged exterior, but inside, he was soft and gentle. I walked over to him at the stove and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, laying my head against his back. I could feel the heat coming off him against my face.
“Hope you’re hungry. Food’s ready.” I had been waiting to hear those words, but now that I was pressed against him, I didn’t want to let go. I walked over to the table and had a seat while Colt brought all the food over. “One more thing.” I saw steak, baked potatoes, and green beans. I wasn’t sure what could possibly be missing. The food smelled amazing, and there was plenty for the two of us. I watched as he returned from the living room holding a candle. He walked over to the fridge and brought back a lighter.
“Look at you pulling out all the stops. Colt Hogan trying to be romantic?”He nodded, and I was sure my face was about to get stuck from the big smile plastered on it. Colt had really pulled out all the stops for this alone time together, and I couldn’t be more grateful. He really surprised me today.
We started eating. The aroma from the food made my mouth water. It tasted just as good as it looked, which was saying a lot. I have never had anyone cook for me before besides my parents, so this was new. I glanced over at Colt a few times and caught him already looking at me from across the table.
Colt’s muscles showed through his tight T-shirt, and I thought back to his shirtless body at the river. Colt took my breath away in more ways than one.
He reached over to the chair beside him and pulled it out. When he raised his arm back up, he laid something down on the table between us. I looked at it, believing that my eyes were playing tricks on me. It couldn’t be.
“My journal?” He nodded. “How do you have it?” I haven’t seen this journal since I was sixteen. How did Colt possess it now?
“I found it after you moved away. I needed some space to be alone for a bit, so I went up into the tree house. I saw it there and picked it up.” I wonder why he needed space then. I wonder what was going on in life that he needed time to be away. I remember us playing up there as kids. It always felt like a safe place for us. We shared countless stories in it.
“I thought I had lost it.” He handed it to me, and the realization set in that if Colt had my journal, he might have opened it. And if he had, then he may have read parts of it. I had written so many personal things in it- things about Colt, the way he looked, memories of us spending time together, and my feelings for him. I was horrified to find out, but I needed to know.
“Did you read it?” His face carried a mischievous grin. Iwanted to be mad at him, but I couldn’t be. I probably would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.
