Page 59 of Saddle Storm

She sucks in a slow breath. “I’m not going to hate it.”

I grin and step away, following Max up the steps.

19

Max and I wait as Silas unlocks the door. The cottages are strategically placed by the nicest view on the ranch for the best guest experience.

And this one sits on the sweet spot of the strip. Where the view opens up the widest.

I’ve never been inside one of these. No reason to. I’m not in charge of maintenance. I’m on the other side, minding the horses. But I’ve ridden by plenty to appreciate the charm.

Silas pushes open the door and steps inside, flicking the switch. Warm light spills over the entry threshold. I let Max go in first, then step in tentatively behind him.

It smells clean inside. Wood, florals, and something faintly citrusy. Max immediately plops down on a big couch, testing its comfort or bounce capacity.

The place is small but not cramped with its well-picked furnishings. Cozy in a way that feels intentional. I stride over to the fully equipped kitchen straight ahead, with a tan marble island and a set of polished wooden stools. Dishes and mugs are lined up neatly in open cabinets above the counter. A stove that doesn’t look older than Max, a fridge that isn’t humming.

I hear Max sigh as he rests his legs on the sofa, preparing to spend the night on it. Silas moves over to the sofa and reaches for the television remote. “Let’s see if this works.”

“Yeah,” Max agrees eagerly, sitting up.

I know he’s giving me time to explore. To consider spending the night. And it’s tempting as hell. I slip off to the bedrooms next. One bigger with a king-sized bed and sliding doors that lead to a back porch. One smaller with a twin bed.

I walk to the window at the back of the cottage, seeing only my reflection since it’s pitch-black outside.

It would be so easy to fall in love with this place after just one night. Especially waking up to all this.

I hear Silas step into the room. “I want you to stay as long as you want.”

I exhale, turning. Taking him in because what else am I to do? He’s so sexy in this light. Carving him into something . . . unfair. Moving toward me in the coziest of bedrooms, daring me to resist.

My stomach flips.

He’s done more for me and my kid in the last few days than any man’s ever tried to do. How can I say no? “One night, Silas.”

He closes the distance fully, the corner of his mouth tilted. “Are we still talking about the cottage?” I don’t move back even when he reaches his hurt arm to brush hair from my face. It’s so gentle and I’m painfully aware of the mobility he thinks I’m worth.

“Does it still hurt?” I ask.

“Every day I see you.”

I frown then open my mouth to clarify.

“I know what you meant,” he says before I could get a word out. His expression serious. “Storm, I’m not going to lie to you. I deliberately stayed away from you in high school but not because I wanted to. Not because you meant any less to me.” He whispers, his voice is edgy. “Not a day’s gone by that I don’t wish I could have done things differently, but I was a teenager and knew two things.” He takes a breath, and it’s almost a quiet determination. “One, I had no idea where I was going after high school, but it wasn’t here. My future wasn’t cut out for me like it was my brothers. So I knew I’d be on my own to figure it out. Make mistakes. Fall down a few times before getting up.” He rubs my hands gently in his grasp. “And two . . . I cared too much about you to bring you down with me.” He licks his lips. “But when my future was set . . . I came back for you.”

My heart stills and I’m almost afraid to ask. “What do you mean?”

He steps back, running a hand through his hair. “Jasper had this stupid party in my name once early news of an NHL offer spread. I didn’t even want to go.”

My lips part but there’s no breath, just a tightening in my gut that’s near suffocating.

“The only reason I came was for you. When I showed up and you weren’t there—I went to your parents’ house.” He says it like that was an even bigger mistake. No doubt it was. They weren’t exactly thrilled with me that night either—

Wait. My parents?

My eyes flash wide. “No. You . . . you left with a cheerleader.”

He chuckles. “Who told you that?” Then he glances behind him as if remembering something. “Hold that thought. It’s a little quiet in the other room. I want to check on him.” Then he turns back quickly to me, as if to finish an important thought. “But no—I came for one girl—and she wasn’t there that night.” He winks reassuringly.