Capri looked up; her face painted with misery. “Jake Carrington.”
Reva couldn’t help herself. She threw her head back and laughed. “And that’s a problem? Why?”
Tears sprouted in her friend’s eyes. “Because.”
Capri glanced down at her hands, twisting them nervously. “I didn’t expect this, Reva. Falling for Jake—it scares the heck out of me. I’m not good at this...at letting someone in. Every time he tries to get closer, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something, and I don’t know if I’ll fall or fly. What if I mess it up? What if he sees all my flaws and runs? Or worse—what if he doesn’t run, and I’m the one who can’t handle it? I don’t know how to let go without losing control. I think I’m broken.”
Reva shook her head. “What? You think you need to do this perfectly? With no flaws, no missteps?” She bent before her friend and clasped her hands into her own, her gaze directed at Capri’s face. “Remember when my relationship with Merritt Hardwick fell apart?”
Capri nodded. “Yeah, I remember. You were a wreck for months.”
Reva felt her expression soften. “Yes, I was. And I soothed my hurting heart by numbing it with alcohol. I got myself in a world of trouble.”
Capri wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “Yeah. So, what has that got to do with my situation?”
A slight smile nipped at the corners of Reva’s lips. “Let me share a profound lesson I learned when I had reached my breaking point. I was cooking one night, crying my eyes out, and thinking about my life and how everything felt fractured.” She let her smile grow a little wider. “I began to make cornbread and cracked these two eggs and suddenly, as if God was standing right before me, I heard him say, ‘Now I can use you!’”
She paused. “You see, an egg can’t be used until it’s broken.”
27
Capri stood on her porch, phone in hand, her thumb trembling as it hovered over the “send” button. The text she’d typed was simple. Would you want to go for a ride? I was thinking Charlie Grace’s ranch tomorrow. Yet, the invitation it carried felt monumental. Her heart raced, a tangle of nerves and excitement twisting inside her. After everything with Jake, every step forward felt precarious. One wrong move, and she feared things might spiral out of control, moving too fast for her to handle.
She stared at the message, reading and rereading it. Was it too casual? Did it sound like she didn’t care enough? Or maybe it sounded like she cared too much? She shook her head, chastising herself for overthinking. Reva’s voice echoed in her mind, reminding her to be okay with not having it all figured out.
With a deep breath, Capri hit send and immediately regretted it. Her pulse quickened as she waited for his response, a cocktail of anticipation and fear bubbling beneath the surface.
Her phone buzzed, making her jump.
Sounds perfect. What time?
His quick reply both thrilled and unnerved her. She hadn’t expected him to be so eager, but that was Jake—unwavering, patient, and seemingly unfazed by her hesitations. Capri set the time and put her phone down, exhaling the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She had taken the first step. It wasn’t a leap, but it was something.
The next day, Capri arrived at Charlie Grace’s guest ranch earlier than planned. She told herself it was to help saddle the horses, but deep down, she knew it was because of her nerves.
She stepped from her truck and looked around at the wide-open space filled with treetops colliding with blue sky. The fresh air felt so expansive, or so full of possibilities—making her feel both alive and utterly exposed.
Charlie Grace appeared at the barn door and waved. “Hey! I didn’t expect you until later.”
“Sorry,” Capri said, a little breathless as she approached. “I got ready quicker than I thought. Guess I just couldn’t sit still, so here I am.” She gave a small, nervous laugh, hoping it didn’t sound as shaky as she felt.
Charlie Grace gave her a knowing smile, but to her credit, she didn’t ask questions. “The horses are ready,” she said, leading her to two sturdy geldings. “You picked a beautiful day for a ride. I’ll leave you to it.”
“Are you sure this is no trouble?” Capri asked.
“Not an issue in the slightest. We have no guest excursions planned for today, so take your time.” Her friend winked, struggling to conceal her delight at the prospect of Capri and Jake being together.
Ignoring Charlie Grace’s enthusiasm, Capri stroked the horse’s neck, her fingers tracing the familiar lines of muscle and hair, using the routine as a way to calm her thoughts. When she heard Jake’s truck pull up, her heart did a little flip, and she took another steadying breath. She could do this.
Jake strolled toward her, looking like he’d just stepped out of an ad for rugged outdoor gear—boots dusted with dirt, worn jeans that fit just right, and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms. His hair was windswept, his face kissed by the sun. The sight of him made her pulse quicken, and Capri cursed herself for how easily he affected her.
“Hey,” Jake greeted her, that familiar smile softening his sharp features. He reached for her hand, just briefly, but it was enough to make her skin tingle. “Thanks for the invite.”
“Yeah, sure,” Capri replied, keeping her tone casual, though inside she was anything but. “I figured a ride would be more fun than...you know, working on the house.”
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he glanced at the horses. “Can’t argue with that.”
She didn’t add that she’d considered asking him to dinner at her favorite restaurant in Jackson—the White Buffalo Club. A second dinner date, especially in such a romantic setting, felt too intimate, too formal.
