Page 25 of Make Me Whole
Chapter Thirteen
HAILEY
I felt hiseyes on me long before I heard him approach. My focus remained on the horses in front of me; their calmness in complete contrast with the wild way in which my heart was jackhammering against my ribs.
As his footfalls became louder, I sucked in a few steadying breaths. The familiar woodsy scent becoming stronger and stronger with each pull of air to my lungs.
"Morning." The rich, silky timbre rolled over my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.
I steeled myself for the onslaught the sight of Bradley would have on my senses as I slowly turned to face him. "Hi." The word blew over my lips.I almost didn't recognize you without your blonde accessory. Biting my tongue, I kept the snarky remark from slipping out.
Was that bitter taste in my mouth jealousy? Couldn't be. And yet, my sleepless night begged to differ. I'd tossed and turned for who knew how long, my mind conjuring up all sorts of images of Bradley and his blonde.
My gaze flicked to his mouth, only to realize his lips were moving. Was he speaking this entire time? "I'm sorry, what?"
Beneath his hat, his dark brows pulled together. His nostrils flared with the audible breath he took. "Sawyer's not coming," his clipped words came out in a rush.
Even though I knew there was still plenty of time to learn, I couldn't keep the disappointment from flooding my veins. "Uhm, okay then." I glanced at the horses for a beat before locking eyes with Bradley again. "Thanks for letting me know."
I started to walk back to the house, but only managed a few steps when he halted me by curling his long fingers around my wrist. My already racing heart found another gear, and I was positive he could not only feel it but hear it too.
"Where are you going, Hailey?"
Gosh, I wish he wouldn't say my name like that. With a gulp, I forced the lump in my throat to go down. "You said Sawyer isn't coming." I lifted my shoulder in a shrug, still acutely aware he hadn't released his grip on me.
"Doesn't mean you're not getting a lesson."
My eyebrows rose. "You mean…you?" It was his turn to shrug. My head started moving from side to side before the words left my mouth. "Oh no, you really don't have to. I wouldn't want to waste any of your precious time."
The little bit of air I'd managed to get to my lungs got knocked right back out again when his lips twitched before curving into a lop-sided grin. "Spose I deserve that." His eyes flicked down to where he was holding on to me. He stared at the spot for a long second before he finally let go.
"So." His deep baritone had a delicious raspy edge to it. Unfortunately, when he cleared his throat, it was gone. "Do you have a favorite?" When he focused on something behind me, I knew he was talking about the horses.
Giving him my back, my gaze bounced from animal to animal until I found the one I'd been drawn to from the first moment I'd laid eyes on it. "That one." I pointed toward the large—the biggest in the pen—gray dapple horse.
"Really?" There was genuine curiosity in Bradley's voice when he stepped beside me. He was standing so close; his flannel shirt grazed my arm. "Why?"
I knew it would be a mistake, still, I chanced a look at the man standing next to me. He was staring at me. Eyes so blue, so intense, I felt it all the way to my toes. Holding his gaze, I murmured, "The eyes. They speak to something inside me." My cheeks burned when I realized I'd said it out loud.
"It's silly, I know," I muttered, as I quickly looked away. Rolling my lip between my teeth, I waited for him to chuckle or say something witty. When he didn't, my eyes carefully flitted back to his.
His dark brows were pulled together, deep lines marring his forehead. "It's not silly," he rasped. "That's exactly how I felt the first time I saw him." He focused on my mouth for a flicker of a second before his attention moved back to the pen. "Right. I'll get Max and we'll meet you in the empty pen." And then he headed straight for the horses and with graceful movements no man should possess, he jumped over the fence.
Realizing it probably wasn't the smartest thing to stand there and gawk at the man, I made my way to the adjacent pen. In the two minutes I had to myself before Bradley led Max over, I tried and failed to analyze the excitement bubbling through my veins.
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "He's a lot bigger up close."
Bradley chuckled, and it made me feel warm all over.What the hell is going on?"He is." He dropped the lead rope and ran a palm over the horse's coat. "Now, I know this is a riding lesson, but there won't be any actual riding today."
"There won't?"
He shook his head and glanced at me over his shoulder. "No. You and Max have to get acquainted first. A line of trust has to be established." Eyes trained on the imposing animal before me, I nodded absently.
"Come here." At his soft request my gaze snapped to Bradley. With his palm still stroking Max, he twisted his body to the side; as if he was making room for me to stand in front of him.
On shaky legs, I took the five steps to reach him. I couldn't tell you who was more imposing: the man next to me or the enormous animal in front of me. "The first step would be to touch him."
"Okay," I barely heard my own voice. My hand visibly trembled when I lifted it toward Max. Sheer nervousness kept it suspended in the air, though. Behind my ribcage, my heart thundered wildly.
