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“What are we doing here?”
He cut the engine and remained where he was, continuing to look out the windshield. “It’s past time to move on with my life, Aspen. As I told you before, you’ve taught me how to live again. You’ve also given me a reason to want to. Come on. Just trust me.”
I wasn’t certain what to think until I noticed Joshua bringing Star from the barn. The cowboy had a huge grin on his face. What shocked me even more was the fact the mare was saddled.
Montgomery studied my reaction as I walked closer, a twinkle in his eyes. I couldn’t believe he was ready to do this. As tears formed in my eyes, I realized I was having difficulty moving any closer. He gripped my hand, walking backward as he pulled me closer.
“Is everything ready?” he asked Joshua after opening the gate.
“Absolutely, Mr. Wolfe. She’s all yours.” Joshua patted Star, continuing to hold onto the reins until Montgomery took them into his hand.
Joshua tipped his cowboy hat, whistling as he walked away.
“What are you doing?” I asked in a playful tone.
He pressed his face against Star’s head, whispering something I couldn’t hear. The horse responded by whinnying, dragging one hoof across the ground. “She told me that she approves of you.”
“Oh, she does, huh?”
“She’s not the kind of girl to like just anyone,” he said in a completely mischievous voice.
“Well, I happen to like her too.” I closed the distance, rubbing her muzzle. “You are a beautiful girl. Yes, you are.”
Star snorted, lifting then tossing her head.
“Come here, little girl.” His command was dark and deliciously dangerous.
“What for?”
“First of all, because I told you to. Second, because you’re going to ride Star.”
“No. That’s not going to happen. She’s special to you.”
“Yes, she is, but she needs a rider, someone who will take good care of her.”
I held up my hands. “I’ve never ridden a horse before in my life. You forget, I’m from Indianapolis.”
“And they don’t have horses there?”
“Not like this. I’ll hurt her. I’ll fall off.”
He rolled his eyes before grabbing and yanking me closely a few feet away. “You’re not going to hurt her. Her wounds healed well over a year ago. While you may fall off, I’ll be here to catch you. I promise.”
I bit my lip, wrinkling my nose. “I’m afraid.”
“You know what my father told me about fear? That it can only conquer you if you allow it to. Take charge. After all, that’s the kind of woman you are.”
“That’s a huge misrepresentation of myself.”
Laughing, he dragged me even closer. “Get on or else.”
“Oh, okay.” As he helped me into the saddle, I felt woozy inside, my skin prickling from the insane amount of fear I felt.
“Just take the reins and hold on, but not too tightly. Star will do most of the work.”
I yanked them from his hand, fisting them immediately, my breath skipping. I felt as if I was on a skyscraper, ready to kill myself. “Did I tell you that I was afraid of heights?”
“Breathe, Aspen.” He rubbed Star’s neck, whispering something else. He took his time, pressing his face against her once again.
