Page 137 of Catch
When we arrive at the stables, I ask Ethan and his siblings to wait as I head for the tack room.
I know exactly how to distract Ethan from his nerves…
It takes me a few minutes to get ready, and when I head back out, I find my grandfather joining our group.
As I stalk toward my boyfriend, the worry in his expression falls away and he’smy Ethanagain. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the way he looks at me or the way he makes me feel.
“Time to meet our equine family.”
“Harry, Cate, you come with me,” Pops directs.
They head down to the far end of the stable, leaving me alone with Ethan.
“Baby, are you going to wear those leather chaps all day?” Ethan whispers.
“What do you think?”
Ethan moans.
“I have so many fantasies that aren’t appropriate given where we are and who’s around.”
“Still nervous?”
Ethan shakes his head.
“Not as long as you’re near.”
CHAPTER 29
ETHAN
“Are you sure he’s not going to eat my hand along with this carrot?”
“I promise. Let him sniff you first.”
Whiskey is Jett’s pride and joy, but he’s intimidating to me, even behind his stall. He’s got a beautiful painted coat, but he’s still a huge freaking beast. A beast with big eyes and even bigger teeth. He shoves his nose into Jett’s palm and Jett coos at him.
“Go on, you’ll be fine.” Jett smiles at me. “Just don’t grab his face.”
I slowly hold up one hand so the horse can sniff it. When Whiskey shifts his attention to me and snorts in my hand, then licks it, I chuckle. It tickles. Jett hands me a carrot, and I offer it up to the inquisitive horse. It takes Whiskey all of five seconds to inhale the whole damn thing.
“This is my boyfriend Ethan,” Jett whispers as he pets Whiskey’s neck. “You be nice to him, you hear, and don’t bite his clothes.”
“He bites?” I squeak.
“Gentle nips. He’s an attention hog, and if you don’t givehim all of yours, he’ll make sure you know it.” Jett laughs. “Sound familiar?”
“Whiskey, I think we’re gonna get along just fine,” I murmur to the horse. “Now, I know you’re Jett’s first love, but he’s got a big heart, and there’s room for both of us. And yes, I can be loud sometimes, but you’re going to have to put up with me.”
Whiskey makes a sound like a sigh, and I turn to Jett.
“That’s good. He’s relaxing around you.” Jett nods. “You can pet his neck if you want. Slowly.”
I reach up and do just that, and I’m surprised to find that my nerves are fading away.
“What’s his story?”
“Whiskey was born here. His mother, Betsy, was brought to us as a rescue. She was found badly injured and wandering near Angel Lake. It took my grandfather six months to get her healed and trained.”
