Page 214 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

I knew what she meant from that one look.

Beau wouldn’t care.

His family wouldn’t care.

Under the table, Beau’s hand found my knee. I looked at him. He was listening to Jax complain about Rosie while his thumb moved once against my skin like he’d been doing this for years, and not for the first time. Possessive in the gentlest way.

Maybe this was what Meme meant when she said I had to learn how to let good things stay.

The question about Blueberry followed me into Tuesday. Then Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, I was standing in the barn staring at my saddle.

I hadn’t intended to come in here. At least that was what I told myself.

The saddle sat exactly where it always had. I still took care of it. I had no explanation for why. Maybe some part of me had always believed there would be another time.

The barn door creaked behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Are you hiding from everyone, sweetheart?”

“No.”

“Rosie’s looking for you.”

“Then yes.”

Beau laughed softly. I kept staring at the saddle as stopped beside me. For once, he didn’t ask immediately. That was becoming one of the things I liked most about him.

“I used to ride every day.”

His gaze moved toward the saddle. “I figured.”

“Sometimes twice.” I rubbed my thumb along a worn section of leather. “I tried after the accident.”

That got his attention. “You did?”

I nodded. “Everyone assumes I never got back on.”

“What happened?”

“It was terrible.” I smiled without humor.

“Why?”

“I had moments when it felt familiar. My body remembered enough that I started thinking maybe I could get it back.” The old ache pressed beneath my ribs. “Then I couldn’t.”

I looked toward Blueberry’s stall.

“I didn’t stop because riding was impossible. I stopped because I couldn’t stand knowing exactly how good I used to be.”

Beau leaned against the wall beside me. “Do you miss it?”

Every day.

“Yes.”

He nodded.

“You’re not going to tell me I should try again?”