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I smirk at how cute she looks. “And who better to teach you than your cowboy husband?”
The rest of the workday drags on. I’m eager to see Zoey again and actually get some alone time with her. At least while riding, every single family member won’t be able to interrupt us.
“What in the world…?” I smile the moment Zoey meets me outside. She’s in full getup from the cowboy hat to the plaid shirt tucked into her ripped jeans. As I glance down, I see she’s wearing Rowan’s cowboy boots too. “Look at you.”
“Whatcha think?” She spins when she’s in front of me. “Mackenzie said if I was going riding, I needed to look the part.”
“Well, she’s not wrong.” I grab her waist and pull her closer. “You look adorable,” I tell her, tugging on one of her pigtail braids. “However, these are giving me bad ideas…” I grin.
“Mackenzie insisted on those too.”
“Hmm…she’s quickly becoming my favorite cousin.”
Zoey smacks my chest with a giggle. “Calm down, cowboy. You have some teaching to do.”
We walk hand in hand to the horse barn. It’s close to the B&B, and Dad’s friend Colton works there mostly. He keeps them fed and groomed for the guests and guides all the riding lessons and tours. Luckily, he’s gone for the day by the time we walk in, so we’ll have this time to ourselves, completely uninterrupted.
“This one is Sunshine,” I tell her. “She’ll take good care of you.”
Then I show her how to put on the saddle, help her up, and give her a basic rundown. “Don’t squeeze your thighs too tight, or she’ll think it’s time to run.”
“I definitely won’t.”
“Don’t worry. She’s a good girl.” I pet her before getting my horse Gable ready, and soon, we’re both riding out to one of the trails behind the B&B.
“It’s so pretty out here,” she says as we ride farther onto the trail. “No wonder so many come to the B&B. I overheard quite a few people talking about how they visit every single summer.”
“Oh yeah, we get a lot of repeat guests. Have for years. It’s what helps us stay in business too.”
We continue riding, and Zoey stays quiet as I go on about the ranch and the different trails we have. Then I look at her and see her face is expressionless.
“Are you okay?” I move Gable closer to her so I can grab her hand. “You haven’t said anything in a while.”
Zoey clears her throat before looking at me, and I’m almost certain I see tears in her eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just taking it all in.”
“Are you sure?” I squeeze her hand, hoping she’ll open up to me. “You can tell me.”
She shrugs. “I’m just really glad I came. For days before getting in my car and making the twelve-hour drive, I worried I was making the wrong decision and fought with myself about the what-ifs and being a nervous wreck about your reaction. But you and your family have all brought me in with arms wide open. I guess it makes me a little emotional because I know if it were the other way around and you came to me, my family wouldn’t be so welcoming.”
I nod, wanting to somehow reassure her that I couldn’t be happier that she’s here. It was a risk for both of our hearts.
“Zoey, come here.” I manage to get the horses next to each other so I can cup her face. “If I had it my way, I’d never let you leave. I’m sorry your family isn’t very supportive, but you will always have mine, no matter what. Okay?”
She pulls in her bottom lip and nods. Tilting her head up, I press my mouth to hers, and when she opens up for me, I slide my tongue between her lips. When Zoey moans against me, I deepen our kiss, and then she’s yelping in the next second.
Sunshine takes off, and Zoey barely has the time to grab on to the saddle horn. Immediately, I kick Gable and chase after them. “Loosen your legs and pull back on the reins!” I yell.
“I can’t!” she screams as her hat flies off, her hair blowing in the wind.
Seconds later, I’m next to her again, taking control until Sunshine slows down. I’m trying hard not to laugh at her, but when I see her holy shit expression, I can’t hold it in.
“Stop laughing at me, asshole!” She swats at my arm. “Your horse nearly killed me!”
I snicker, bringing us closer again. “I told you not to squeeze your legs.”
Her eyes widen as a blush creeps up her neck. “Well then, you shouldn’t be kissing me like that…”
Chuckling, I hand the reins back to her. “Noted.”
Chapter Twelve
Zoey
The past few days with Riley have been nothing short of perfection. We meet for breakfast, sometimes lunch, and then we hang out at night once he’s done with work. I’ve been getting to know his aunts and cousins, helping them in the garden, and even baked cookies with his grandma yesterday afternoon. The Bishops are the kind of family I’ve never had, and it’s making my decision even harder. I have to go back home eventually to confess everything to my parents and face the truth, but I’m not ready to leave yet.
