Page 58 of One Reckless Moment

I only knew of one place on the property I was safe, and that was where I planned to spend my peaceful morning. I got changed quietly so Cash didn’t wake up and snuck out of the apartment.

When I walked out of Taylor’s last night, I had no idea of where I was going. I started toward the ranch, but then the sky opened and the rain poured down. I was upset and too far from home to make the walk so I went to the place that always made me happy.

A place that held happy memories before everything got complicated.

I didn’t expect Cash to show up looking for me, and I sure as hell didn’t think he would carry me inside and wash away my horrible night before holding me as I slept.

He kept surprising me, and I feared that I liked it too much.

I approached the stables and inhaled the smell of fresh hay and horses. The familiarity of it settled the buzz under my skin. This place always calmed me when I was feeling extra emotional. I approached Shadow’s stall and nearly broke into tears as I spotted her shiny black coat.

I opened the gate and slipped inside. Shadow immediately let out a whinny and nuzzled into me.

“Hi, sweet girl,” I whispered, running my palm up her nose. “I missed you.”

Shadow whinnied again, as if she was responding to me. I took a minute to just lean against her and breathe. A sense of calmness rushed over me like it always did when I was close to her.

“So much is happening so fast and I need advice,” I whispered so only she could hear me.

Shadow flicked her tail, signaling to me she was ready for me to unload my thoughts onto her.

“Little early for you to be out here.”

I jumped and spun around to see Reid leaning against the stall door with a shitty smirk on his face.

“I thought I was alone.” I rolled my eyes and turned back to Shadow.

“Like you need to be alone to talk to that horse like a person.” Reid laughed.

“Fair, but some things need to stay between girlfriends and aren’t meant for prying ears.”

Reid was silent for a moment, but I could sense he was still behind me. When I faced him, the look in his eyes told me he had something to say.

“Stop looking at me like that.” I crossed my arms and popped my hip out.

“I’m worried about you, P.”

I let out a small scream, throwing my hands to my face, and stalked out of Shadow’s stall.

My peaceful morning was quickly going up in flames. This was not a conversation that needed to stress out my horse.

Reid took a step back so I could walk into the aisle but stayed close enough that told me he really wanted to have this talk.

“You know what? I’m so sick of everyone suddenly being worried about me,” I spat at him.

“What do you mean, suddenly?” Reid looked genuinely confused.

“For years, I have done whatever I wanted and no one batted an eye. No one cared. No one questioned me. I could have been sleeping with a hundred men and had six STDs by now and no one would know the difference. I bring home one meaningful relationship that people don’t approve of, and now everyone gives a shit?”

Reid winced. “For the record, you didn’t go around sleeping with a hundred guys, right?”

I raised a brow at him.

“Not the point. Got it,” he said with a nod. “Paige, we all care about you and always have.”

“Did you talk to Lottie?” I asked, trying to pinpoint how biased this conversation was about to be.

He nodded again. “She came to find us this morning.”