Page 35 of Every Single Vow
I study him while he dries his hands, then fishes his phone from his pocket. He holds up a finger, signaling for me to be patient.
After a few taps, familiar music filters through the kitchen. He places the phone on the counter before offering me his open hand. “I believe I owe you our first dance.”
I can feel the emotion rise in my throat as I place my hand in his. The song that plays has me holding back tears when he wraps an arm around my waist, tugging me to his chest.
Keith Whitley’sWhen You Say Nothing at Allplays through the speaker, taking me back to the very first song we ever danced to at the winter formal our freshman year. I was terrible, but he spent the whole night teaching me how to two-step.
He keeps one hand on my lower back, the other holding my hand as his thumb caresses my skin. My head rests on his chest, while the harsh reality washes over me. Some other woman will get to dance in his kitchen. Some other woman will get to be the reason for that bright smile. Some other woman will get to receive everything that Cooper Mayson has to offer, and that reality nearly buckles my knees. I’ll have to stand by and watch. Smile, give my blessing, and watch him grow a beautiful family.Without me.But I’ll still smile. I’ll still be in the background, loving him from afar. I’ll remember this moment. I’ll remember the brief moment in time, dancing in this kitchen, what it felt like to behis.
Chapter twenty-one
Dakota
“So, this is my baby.” I slide open the latch to Rebel’s stall.
He snorts, swishing his tail as I step inside.
This was the first horse I ever purchased on my own. I purchased him from Emmett, but I made him promise not to skim on the price. I wanted to pay top dollar. What he would sell him for to anyone on the market. The Mayson’s had done so much for me, and even though Emmett tried to gift me the black beauty now prancing around his stall, I refused.
“Baby.” Arizona peeks her head between the rails. “He’s huge.”
I chuckle, running my hand over his nose, before I lean in to kiss his neck. “Don’t let his size fool you. He’s a sweetheart.”
My back muscles twitch as I maneuver myself next to him. We introduced Arizona toThe Sandlotlast night, and fortunately I fell asleep on the couch instead of in Cooper’s bed. Which was probably for the best because after the day I’d had I would have most likely cried or climbed on top of him and let him hold me.
I glance back at her. “Want to give him some love?”
She steps back. “Hard pass.”
“He won’t hurt you.”
“Not really my thing.” She crosses her arms. “How did this becomeyourthing?”
I run my hand along Rebel’s back. “I've been around horses since I was little. Billy had a gambling problem and was always at the track. I think I became intrigued then. The speed. The power behind their bodies. The way they took care of their riders.” I keep my hand placed on his hip, moving slowly around his back end before traveling up his other side. “Never ridden one until I came here for the first time for Cooper’s twelfth birthday party.”
“And you just hopped on?” She asks.
“Pretty much.”
I remember than instant feeling of peace when I came to the barn.
“Horses have this emotional…” I pause, trying to figure out the best way to put it. “Intellect. They read body language. They read behavior.”
“You’re telling me that thing is an emotional genius?” She lifts a brow.
My laughter echoes through the stall. “In a way, yes.”
Horses became my therapy. It was the only time I wasn’t thinking about home. About when I would eat next. If we hadelectricity when I got back. I could just be a girl on a horse.And it was magical.
I’m lucky enough to have a full time job here at the ranch, that not only allows me to help train the colts, but I still have time to manage my personal sessions outside of the Mayson Ranch.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” she mumbles.
Pressing a quick kiss to Rebel’s jaw, I slide out of the stall and lock the latch. “Alright, let’s go check on the boys.”
“The boys?” She questions, falling in step beside me.
“I’ve been training three colts the last few months. They’re being picked up by their new owners tomorrow morning,” I tell her as we exit the barn and head toward the arena. “It’s kind of bittersweet,” I admit. “I’m proud of their growth but through the hard work, I tend to get attached.”
