“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do that.”
She hung up, and Seth slowly tucked his phone back into his pocket, then ducked under the metal rail with the fluid grace of a man who'd spent his life around horses. He made his way across the arena, his scuffed leather boots leaving deep impressions in the soft, loamy ground. The half-eaten apple in his good hand caught the sunlight, its sweet, tangy scent wafting through the air. He needed to gain her trust, and he knew that irresistible aroma would draw her to him like a moth to flame. After picking up a slice, the sticky juice coating his fingertips, he turned to face the filly. She had stopped dead in her tracks, her large liquid brown eyes fixed on him, nostrils quivering slightly.
“Hey, come here, pretty girl,” Seth coaxed, his voice low and gentle as he extended his uninjured hand, palm up with the apple piece. “I know you want this treat.”
She took a hesitant step forward, one delicate hoof pawing at the ground before she stopped, so Seth moved a step closer.He couldn’t help but smile when her velvety nostrils flared wide, catching the sweet apple scent. She moved another cautious step closer and so did he, then he held his steady hand under her soft muzzle, pressing the apple slice against her warm lips. Her whiskers tickled his palm as she took it, crunching loudly before fixing him with an expectant gaze. He chuckled, then walked back to the shelf to get another piece, the wood rough beneath his fingertips. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw her following him, her hooves making soft thuds in the surface, and knew the battle for her trust was nearly won.
“Just like a female,” he murmured, his voice affectionate. “You’re not going to trust me until I prove myself, are you, girl?” He laughed when she whinnied softly and moved closer, her warm breath visible in the cool morning air as she nudged her velvety muzzle against his shoulder.
After feeding her the rest of the apple, its sweet scent lingering on his fingers, and spending a little more time with her, he walked out of the dusty arena, asked Micky to put the filly in her stall, then headed across the sunbaked yard, but stopped when he heard the UTV’s engine growling in his direction. He waited, squinting against the morning glare, then saw Cull driving the mud-splattered vehicle into the yard before coming to a halt at the barn.
Seth watched as Ryan stepped out, her dark hair catching the sunlight as she waved at Cull, then turned toward the barn. When she spotted him, her whole body seemed to pivot, and she headed in his direction with determined strides.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hey, how did it go?” He tried to keep his tone neutral despite the way his pulse quickened.
“Good. It’s muddy up there though.” She gestured toward the trails, a smudge of dirt visible on her cheekbone.
“I figured it would be since it rained last night,” he said with a smirk, fighting the urge to brush the dirt away with his thumb.
“Okay, smartass.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners. “How’s your hand?”
“It’s healing, but I can’t do much yet.” He flexed his bruised knuckles carefully. “Once I can get a glove on, I’ll try to do more.”
“Just don’t hurt it again.” She shook her head, her expression softening. “I’m sorry you had to hit him.”
“I’m not.” The words came out harder than he intended.
“Oh, I’m not sorry you hit him, I’m sorry your hand got hurt. He deserved it.” Her eyes flashed with remembered anger.
Seth looked at the mountains, purple shadows deepening in their crevices as the sun rose higher, then back at her flushed face. “He did.”
“What’s going through your head?” She stepped closer, close enough that he could smell her light perfume that always clung to her.
Seth inhaled deeply, his chest tight. “That you won’t be here much longer.”
He noticed her look away as she blinked her eyes quickly, moisture gathering at the corners, then she looked at him, jaw set firmly.
“Less than a week and a half.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I know exactly how long, Ryan.” The words tasted bitter. He shook his head, turned and made his way toward his house, boots heavy on the packed earth. He needed to get away from her and stay away. He knew it would end in heartbreak so the less he saw of her, the better.
“Seth?” her voice cracked slightly.
He stopped, shoulders tense, turned to face her and raised an eyebrow, his expression carefully blank.
“Do you… do you want to get together later?” Her fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her shirt.
“What’s the sense in it?” The wind picked up, rustling through the nearby trees.
“But—”
“But, what? I told you how this would end if we got together and I was right.” He swallowed hard. “I think it’s best we just stay away from each other.” He started for the steps again, the wood creaking beneath his weight, when her words stopped him.
“What about what I think? I want to be with you, Seth.” Her voice trembled; words chased by the crisp air.
He paused, then strode back to her. He stepped closer, until only inches separated them. “Why are you making this harder than it has to be?” His tone was low, tinted with frustration. “We need to just stay the hell away from each other until you leave.”
