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She chuckles at my exaggeration. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”
Her heartbeat ticks in her neck, and I wonder if our attraction is mutual. Fucking up our friendship is the last thing I want, and it’s why I’ve always been so damn scared of making a move. Since I’ve been burned in the past, I refuse to make the same mistake twice.
We finish eating as the sun sets, and then we head inside.
“Dinner was amazing. I swear that was the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had.”
“Yeah, it was good and juicy,” I gloat. “I’m sorry, but Maize is missing out by not serving burgers.”
Kaitlyn snorts as she rinses the dishes. “She’s a food snob. Always has been, always will be.”
“If I had her skills, I’d be too.”
After she puts the plates and forks in the dishwasher, we go sit in the living room to start our show. We fall into our routine like I didn’t just offer to knock her up.
“So I have a question,” Kaitlyn asks once it ends, though neither of us paid close attention.
“Okay, shoot.” I turn toward her, wrapping my arm over the couch.
“What’s one thing you’ve always wanted? Like for me, it’s to have a family and raise babies. It’s all I’ve ever thought about since I was a kid. I want five children, just like my grandparents have. It seems like the perfect number.”
“You really wanna know?”
“Of course.”
I scratch my cheek. “Well, I’ve always wanted to start a horse rescue. I love working at the stud farm, but I’m more passionate about helping animals that need a second chance. Maybe it’s because I can relate, but it’s important to me to help the ones that can’t speak for themselves. So many horses have been abandoned because of age or injury, or they’re neglected and abused. It makes me so fucking sad and angry. I wish I could do more to make a difference. The local rescues are completely overwhelmed, and many don’t want to deal with large animals.”
Kaitlyn places her warm hand on top of mine. “This could be a reality, Payton. Let me help you do this.”
I shrug. “I wish. The start-up costs alone would be out of my reach. Not to mention, I’m already working full-time hours at the stud farm. I’d need some extra ranch hands, a barn with nice stalls, and a pretty large piece of land for pastures.”
“If my idiot brother can start up his own operation, there’s no reason you can’t do a horse rescue. Do you have any sort of business plan written up? Or ideas fleshed out?”
“Not really. I did some research a few years ago after I read this sad article about this rehabilitated horse that had to be shipped all over because the rescues had been so inundated. I don’t know where to start with creating a nonprofit organization, but I’m sure I could figure it out if I was given the opportunity.”
“Making this a reality seems doable to me.”
I search her face. “Wait, are you serious?”
“Of course! My family’s passionate about rescuing animals and expanding the ranch. I think they’d be interested.”
I smile wide. “A new facility in the state would be so damn helpful.”
“I love the idea! I’m kinda mad I didn’t think of it myself.” She snickers. “If you can get the business details together, we can present the plan to my dad for his approval. Then he could bring it to everyone else.”
I lean over and pull Kaitlyn into my arms. “You have no idea how much I appreciate you.”
She grins wide as we pull apart. “I love that we’re both passionate about horses. My parents are gonna love this. I just know it. Don’t be surprised if they’re volunteering their asses off after they retire.”
“That would be a dream come true.” I beam. I can’t explain the happiness that washes over me. If she agrees to my baby proposition, then I’d have everything I’ve ever dreamed of.
Kaitlyn stretches and yawns as she stands, giving me a small peek of her bare stomach. She leads the way to the front door, and then I walk her to her truck.
“Thanks so much for dinner and a movie. And the great conversation.”
“You’re welcome. Please think about what I said earlier,” I nearly beg. I don’t want to keep imagining her having some random man’s baby.
“I will. It’s gonna take a day or two to wrap my head around it, but I won’t make any drastic decisions before talking to you first.”
