As we ride, Denton stays close, matching my pace. It’s been weeks since I’ve felt any sort of calmness settle over me. I meant it when I said I felt safe with him. But I want to know more about him. That’s what I was trying to do before the fire—actually get to know him—who he really is.
“So, you never talk about your dad. Is he in your life?” I ask him as we ride along.
He looks away into the distance like he’s remembering something.
“No, he’s not.”
I’m not sure if I should push any further but then he continues.
“He was abusive to my mom and my sister. I fought him when I was sixteen. I’d had enough of it. Never saw him again after that.”
“I’m sorry Denton.”
“My mom and my sister are everything to me. We didn't need him,” he says and shrugs.
My heart aches for him. I can’t imagine not having my dad in my life. If I ever lost him or he had left us, there would be a gaping hole in my heart that could never be filled. I wonder if Denton feels that way, but he just doesn't want to admit it.
He goes on to tell me about how much he misses his mom and sister, and how he plans to take them skiing in Telluride this Christmas. There’s a softness to his voice, a side of him I haven't seen before when he talks about them.
“Do you want a family?” I ask nervously.
It feels like such a deep and intimate question to ask.
“I do. Do you?”
“Definitely. Sutton and Ryder are goals.”
“I agree,” he says as he starts humming and smiling.
“It wasn't easy for them though. I admire them for making it. They’ve been through a lot.”
“Like what?”
“All of it. Their relationship, marriage and then once they finally figured all that out and were ready to start a family, they struggled with infertility. It was hard on their marriage and even harder on Sutton. I was worried about her for a while.”
“That’s awful. I know people really struggle with that. It’s cruel to want something so bad. More than anything in the world and not be able to have it.”
“It is, but they fought and fought and now they have our boy, Trotter. I’m so proud of Sutton. She kept her faith and prayed for that little boy. She never gave up.”
He listens, really listens, like every word matters. There’s something so easy about talking to Denton—like I could sit here every morning, riding side by side, just the two of us. No pressure. No past hanging over us. Just two people sharing pieces of their lives, one ride at a time.
The waterfall comes into view now. There’s a narrow ribbon of water flowing over moss-covered rocks into a clear blue pool. The world seems to hold its breath here, as if time slows just enough for us to catch it.
Denton dismounts and stretches, running a hand through his hair. “This is something else,” he says, eyes bright.
I nod, feeling nervous and excited all at the same time to show him my special place.
We tie up our horses to a nearby tree. He turns his back as I shimmy out of my jeans and unbutton my shirt. I’m in nothing but my bikini now, feeling so vulnerable. I chose a pink two-piece set with little flowers all over the top and bottoms. They’re cheeky and show a bit more than I’d like but it seems like that’s how they make them now days.
Denton slides off his boots and pulls his T-shirt over his head. I admire his muscular back for a moment before he turns back to me. His green eyes go dark and a look of hunger and desire spread across his face. I smile shyly, taking him in too. His build is lean and abs ripple across his tan stomach. Warmth fills my core and I move quickly toward the creek—needing to cool off.
We settle onto a sun-warmed rock at the edge of the pool, dipping our fingers into the water. Denton glances over at me, his expression softer than before.
“You know I didn’t come here to cause trouble. If I would have known what it could stir up, I never would have put you through any of it,” he says quietly. “I just wanted to find a little peace. Maybe…maybe find something—I don't know…,” he trails off.
I look at him then—a man who carries the weight of fame and expectation, who somehow made space for me in his busy world.
I shake my head. “None of it is your fault, Denton. I’d go through it all again just to be here with you.”
