“I did leave a note. I’d have texted too, but my phone died.”
“Of course it did, you never remember to charge it.” My eyebrows draw together as the first part of his answer registers. “You left a note? Where? I searched my whole house for one.”
He looks sheepish. “Only paper I could find was a takeout menu so I wrote in the margins. I left it on your nightstand because I thought you’d see it that way.”
I had wondered why there was a Chinese menu on my nightstand, but it didn’t occur to me to look for a note on it.
“In hindsight, it wasn’t my best idea,” he says. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. You tried. I just wasn’t paying enough attention. I glance back into the stall. Caleb is in there...”
I glance into the stall, looking from the mare to her foal and back. Caleb is in there with them now, giving them a thorough check. “How’s everyone doing?”
“Well, baby is doing amazing. We were a little worried they might not bond well after that ordeal, but they took to each other as soon as we brought the baby in. Chipper’s a tough gal and a good mom. She’ll pull through. I’ll make sure of it.”
There’s a gentle swoosh, followed by the click of a latch sliding into place as Caleb exits the stall.
“How about you two take next shift? But I’m sending Shayla down in two hours, and you’re bothgoing to take a nap. No arguments.” Caleb glares down at his brother, then turns to me, his voice softening. “You make sure he does.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, saluting him.
Quint waits until his brother’s footsteps have receded down the hall.
“So, he gets a sir, huh? Any chance I might get one of those?”
I swing a leg over his, straddling his lap and leaning down to get up in his face. “Not a chance. And I know that’s not what you want, anyway. But you’re welcome to call me ‘mistress.’”
It’s not the right time, it’s not the right place, but I need to feel his lips on mine, so I give in, planting the softest of kisses on his lips before pulling away and straightening up. It’ll have to do for now.
“Now, are you going to introduce me to the new arrival?”
He finally smiles, and my world feels right again. He’s going to be okay, and I’m going to do my best to make sure we’re okay. Whatever I have to do. I’m willing to work for it.
Quint groans, digging his fingers in the back of his next as he stands up. “I’m going to pay for that little nap.”
“Well, maybe you should have listened to your siblings and taken a break?”
The foal looks up at us with huge brown eyes as we step inside the stall, then walks straight over, nuzzling at my belly. No fear, just curiosity.
Quint slides the door closed behind us. “You’re on their side now? Great. Guess that means I’m never winning an argument again.”
I laugh. “What’s funny is you thought you’d be winning any arguments with me, ever.” I run a hand over the foal’s back as she snuffles at my hoodie. Her coat is soft and fluffy like cotton candy.
“True. All you have to do is look at me with those gorgeous eyes and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
His sleeves are rolled up to reveal tanned forearms thick with wiry muscle. And even though I’ve been running on nothing but caffeine, adrenaline, and anxiety for the past several hours, something twinges low in my belly at the sight of them. Especially with the way he’s handling the foal. Strong but gentle, which is just so him. Everything I love about him.
“Does she have a name?”
“Nope. Haven’t really had time to think of one for her. Any thoughts?”
I lean back against the wall, thinking of the events that led us to this moment. The sass, the riding lessons, the sex, the faking it that was never really faking it. But really, it all comes down to the TV show. My last chance that turned out to be the start of something new.
“You should call her Chance.”
He smiles. “Sounds good, but I think you mean you should call her that. She is yours, after all.”
My mind is already muddled from travel and stress of the day, so I turn to him slowly, confused. “Whatare you talking about?”
