Page 89 of Hit the Ground
Even though his taillights were long gone, unease lingered. This wasn’t the first time someone had come to me for a loan. I’d helped a few people over the years, but they were men who worked for me, who I knew and trusted and had reason to believe would make good on their word. Kent wasn’t one of them. I didn’t know him from Adam, except that he spent a hell of a lot of time around my boy.
Up until now, I’d been neutral, figuring Shelby was smart enough to keep her eyes open and protect our son. After today, I’d bet money she’d had no damn clue about Kent showing up here. If he was sneaking around asking me for ten grand, it made me wonder what else he was getting up to right under her nose.
Alice slid her hand up to my chest, toying with the buttons on my shirt. “So what are you going to do?”
“I told him not to come back. And I meant it.” I bent, brushing my lips against her temple. “I also promised you a ride this afternoon, and that’s what we’re going to do. No sense letting Kent ruin our day.”
Her frown faded, replaced by the kind of smile that made all the weight on my shoulders lift. She gave a little nod, squeezing my shirt in her fist. “Okay. Horses.”
“That’s right, darlin’”—I stepped back enough to lace my fingers through hers—“let’s head out to the stables. I’ll get them saddled up. We’re going to have some real fun.”
“As long as I don’t fall off.”
I squeezed her hand, and it did more to settle me than anything. “I’d never let that happen. Nothing will hurt you as long as I’m around.”
Chapter Thirty-four
Alice
Ihadalwaysunderstoodhorses were large, but until I sat perched on top ofHellion, I hadn’t quite grasped how large. From up here, the ground looked much farther away than I’d ever imagined, and the animal under me shifted like she had her own opinions about my being there.
“Hellion?” I gave Caleb a sharp look, tightening my grip on the reins. “I have to say, I don’t find her name reassuring. Is this a prank?”
He chuckled as he stood at my knee, one broad hand stroking the horse’s neck. This was all second nature to him. He’d been riding horses since he could walk, and they lived in what was essentially his backyard. I had to remind myself he was the expert, and in his hands, I was safe.
“Not a prank, darlin’. Her mama was a wild one. We expected Hells to take after her, but she’s as gentle as they come.” He squeezed my calf and slid his hand up to my hip, stroking me the same way he had the horse. “I wouldn’t let you up there if I thought for a second you weren’t safe.”
“I know,” I whispered. Because I did. I trusted Caleb completely, and Hellion seemed like she didn’t mind me being on her back too much. “I’m farther off the ground than I’d been anticipating.”
That made him laugh again. “And you’re going to stay up there until you’re ready to get down.”
Then he swung up onto his own horse, Brick—short for Brick House. A mountain of muscle and dark hide that made Hellion look like a pony. My nerves scattered, forgotten. All I could see was Caleb in the saddle, the brim of his hat low, thighs gripping leather, shoulders straight. Pure cowboy.Mycowboy. As natural as could be. Like he’d been born to sit in that saddle.
“Wow,” I breathed.
He cocked his head. “Why’re you looking at me that way?”
My cheeks were hot, and it had nothing to do with the afternoon sun. “You look like you belong on the cover of one of Mrs. Taylor’s favorite cowboy romances.”
He chuffed and patted his middle. “I think this disqualifies me. Don’t those guys have at least an eight-pack? I’m a few short.”
I bit my bottom lip, taking all of him in. “Believe me, Cay, you’re not missing anything.”
His gaze swept over me. “As long as I’m the right fit for you, nothing else matters to me. Besides, I think I can live without being one of Mrs. Taylor’s fantasies.”
I giggled. “I think I can live without that too. You’ll just be mine.”
He groaned. “Are you trying to get out of this ride by making me want to take you in the barn and sort you out?”
“Well, I wasn’t, but if you’d rather…”
“Not a chance, Allie-girl. We’re taking our ride.” His eyes never left mine as he lifted his reins. “We’ll see about sorting you out afterward.”
Caleb led Hells and me down a path designed for children. It was smooth and level, no jutting rocks to climb over, no hills to traverse. Eventually, I was able to relax and enjoy the smooth ride atop my horse, due in part to Hellion’s calm nature, but also because I was distracted by my view of Caleb in front of me.
There might have come a day when the sheer breadth of his shoulders didn’t take my breath away, but today wasn’t it. Especially not while watching him control the horse under him, who, to my untrained eye, was easily double Hellion’s size.
We followed the trail until it opened to a narrow stretch of river. Sunlight glittered off the surface of the water, drawing me closer. Caleb swung down first, tying his horse to a nearby branch. Then he came to my side, steadying me with both hands as I slid awkwardly to the ground.
