Page 37 of Sunrise & Serenity

Doesn’t sound like there’s much love lost there. But the set of his jaw suggests he’s not interested in answering any more questions, so I refocus on what I’m meant to be doing.

After taking a few more photos of the light spilling across the valley, I let my camera hang back down by its strap.

“Do you have what you need?” Holden asks.

I scroll through the shots I’ve taken and nod. “These are good.”

“This is the end of the trail,” he says as he hands me one of the water bottles he’s been carrying. “We should head back.”

“Okay.” I take a few swallows before returning it to him. Then, with one last look at the view, I follow him away from the ledge.

On the way back down, he points out more details, including a red-tailed hawk that hovers overhead for a few minutes. I take photos along the way, and before I know it, we’re back in his truck, heading toward the ranch.

The windows are open again, and the cool breeze tosses my hair around. Holden taps out a rhythm on the steering wheel with his thumbs, and I could almost convince myself there’s a ghost of a smile on his lips.

He really is unfairly attractive. Even more so with that slight upward curl of his mouth. It gives me a little thrill to think he might have enjoyed spending the morning with me, because, surprisingly, I enjoyed spending it with him. For all his gruffness, there’s something deeper there. And maybe it’s the photographer in me, but I can’t help wanting to find that hidden part of him and bring it into the light.

That’s not what I’m here for, though. There’s so much to photograph—and to experience—in this place. Maybe getting swept up in that excitement is why I turn to Holden and blurt out, “Any chance I can get those riding lessons? I know you’re busy, so if someone else is willing to teach me, that’s okay too.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw, and my excitement falters. Maybe I’d imagined that ghost of a smile. Maybe he was only counting down the minutes until the trail walk was over so he could get back to everything else he’s supposed to be doing.

But rather than turn me down flat, he nods slowly. “I can probably fit in a few lessons in the evenings.”

Buoyed by my success, I press my luck and tease him. “So I can trust you not to make the horse throw me off?”

“I’d never put anyone in danger.” His gaze slides toward me. “No matter how I feel about them.”

My mouth drops open, but before I can let loose with a cutting retort, a smirk tugs at his lips. “Don’t worry, Sage. You’re safe with me. I promise.”

The funny thing is, I actually believe him.

Regardless, I stick with the dynamic that seems to be working for us, scrunching my nose at him and feigning skepticism. “Uh-huh, we’ll see.”

But inside, I’m smiling.

CHAPTER 10

SAGE

At the sound of tires crunching on the gravel in front of my cabin, I rush to the door and throw it open.

I don’t recognize Mia’s truck—it’s definitely not the kind of vehicle she would have driven in New York—but I do recognize her smile. As soon as she comes to a stop, she flings the door open and jumps out with a lot more finesse than I showed when I got out of Holden’s truck that first night.

I jog down the stairs and wrap her in a big hug. “I’m so happy to see you.”

She squeezes me back. “Me too.”

A knocking sound interrupts us, and I can’t help but laugh at the sight of Ruby’s little face pressed up against the truck’s window, her nose and cheeks squished.

“Oops, sorry.” I open her door. “Your mommy distracted me with hugs.”

“Aunty Sage!” She holds her arms out, brown eyes sparkling.

“Let me get you out of your car seat, bug, and I’ll give you the biggest hug ever.” I make quick work of unbuckling the straps, then sweep her up into my arms. “I’ve missed you,” I tell her.

“You didn’t come see us.” Her expression turns scolding.

I smother a smile. “I’m sorry. My car broke down, so the nice man who lives next door rescued me. But since my car is still broken, I have to stay here instead of with you.”