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“Give me a high-five, Ty.” Satisfied, Ty slapped my hand as hard as he could. I pretended it stung, which made him puff his chest out.
“London, will you be my best friend?”
“I think that sounds good.”
All attention returned to Jaxson. “She’s my best friend until I get old. Then we’ll get married. Don’t you think she’s pretty, Dad?”
I coughed as Jaxson laughed while I felt the heat creep across my face. It was a fact—I would never be able to go five minutes in front of this man without being mortified. The heat in Jaxson’s stare warmed me more. “She’s beautiful.”
Only the sizzling of the skillet could be heard for a few seconds before he asked, “What can I get the beautiful lady this morning?”
“Just a cheese omelet. I can get the glasses.”
“Perfect. Glasses are to the left of the sink. Ty will want apple juice. There’s a fresh pot of coffee. Mugs are on the top shelf.”
I gave a nervous laugh. “I’ll stick with juice. Caffeine makes me jittery. And that’s the last thing I need right now.” Why was this man affecting me this way?
As I made my way to the sink, Ty scrambled off the chair without saying what he was doing. There was no telling. Leaning up, I grabbed two glasses. “It was hard falling asleep with your scent all around me last night while I slept in the bed you were in.”
Tingles erupted over my skin followed by goose bumps as I felt Jaxson’s breath against my ear. Barely above a hoarse whisper, I said, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” That one word had me nearly dropping the glass as I sat it on the counter.
“Jaxson . . .”
“London . . .”
Footsteps brought me back to the here and now. When Jaxson moved, the lack of heat was noticed. I wanted him near me.
“London, I’m ready to go see Sparkles do her tricks.” I took a second before turning around and facing Ty. When I did . . . I wanted to squeeze him with how cute he looked in his roper jeans, boots, and T-shirt.
“Breakfast first. Who is Sparkles?” Jaxson asked.
Ty walked between us. I was still recovering from our earlier encounter. “Sparkles is London’s horse. She said she could do tricks. I told London I don’t ride horses after you got thrown and hurt yourself because you were old.”
Jaxson’s eyes shot to mine for a second before he took Ty’s omelet out of the pan. I raised my eyes again to say, see this was why I thought you were old. He mouthed to me as he stirred the eggs, I’m not old.
I raised an eyebrow and gave a noncommittal shrug. “Sometimes it’s best to simply embrace the truth.”
The new egg batter popped in the butter as it cooked. To keep from smiling, I bit down on my lower lip. As I passed by, Jaxson grabbed my hand while turning my way, his back to Ty. He mouthed again, I’m not old.
“I guess you’ll have to prove it . . .”
Oh-my-gosh. Did I just challenge him . . . again? I was in trouble. Serious trouble.
Sparkles was saddled and grazed a few feet away in the field next to the barn. The red saddle pad against her black coat looked amazing. A few other horses grazed in this pasture, but they were at the other end, leaving plenty of ro
om for us. I knew Sparkles wouldn’t take off.
Jaxson had excused himself to check on a few of the horses in the rehab clinic. Afterward, the plan was to show me what my job entailed while Ty did some rounds with Levi. Impatiently, Ty stood on the fence rail.
“Sparkles, are you ready to show Ty some tricks?” The horse stood tall and nodded her head. “Before we start, can I have a hug and kiss?”
My horse loved performing. Dad and I worked with her for tireless hours. While I was in prison, Dad kept up all the training. Trotting the few steps to me, Sparkles puckered her lips to my cheek. “Aw, I love your kisses.” Next, she reached around with her neck to hug me. “That’s a sweet girl. Do you want to blow a kiss over to Ty?”
This trick was always done in the direction I motioned with my hand. I had four fingers extended with my thumb against my palm. Sparkles shook her head, puckered her lips and let out a big gust of air. Ty couldn’t stop laughing.
“Sparkles! It’s not nice to be rude.” I put my hand on my hip. A neigh escaped right on cue showing how much Dad worked with her. I was prepared to improvise if some of her tricks weren’t practiced. “Sparkles, time out for you.”
