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“There’s one whose very adventuresome. He takes after Sunny. Brave and bold. Look over there by the tree.”
“I see him. Is he yours?”
“How could you tell?”
“You sounded proud,” she remarked, turning to smile up at him.
“I guess I am. I’m used to doing this for other people, and I admit, it does feel different.”
“Does he have a name?”
“Nothing’s hit me yet, but it will.”
“It’s so beautiful here,” she said softly, leaning against the fence and staring across the paddock. “I could sit here and watch this for hours. I want to paint it all. The babies, the mares, the trees…everything. I just had a thought. Maybe I could do a series.”
“You’re welcome here any time,” he offered, placing his arm around her shoulders. “I mean that, Ellie. You can bring your sketch pad and canvas and paints, whatever you need, and spend as much time as you want.”
“Wouldn’t I be in the way.”
“Not at all,” he assured her, turning her around to face him. “Honestly, I’d love to come out here and find you doing your thing.”
“My thing,” she repeated with a laugh.
“I don’t know what to call it.”
“Art.”
“Oh, yeah,” he said sheepishly. “Okay, I’d love to come out here and find you doing your art.”
“I might just take you up on that.”
As she spoke, she longed to lean against his chest and feel his strong arms around her again. Suddenly, as if reading her mind, he abruptly wrapped her up.
“You’re just so damn huggable” he murmured, his lips against her ear.
“I am?” she breathed, sinking against him.
“Yep, you sure are, and we’re about to have company. Take a look.”
Shifting in his hold and opening her eyes, she discovered his foal and its mother ambling towards them.
“See, I told you. Brave and bold.”
“Wow. Can I touch them?”
“Sure, and you’re welcome to hang out here, but unfortunately I have to get to work.”
“I guess that means it’s time for me to call a taxi.”
“No, you hate them, and I’d be happy to take you to your car. But like I said, you can stick around. Just come and find me when you’re ready to leave.”
“I hate to say it, but I do need to get home,” she said with a heavy sigh. “If I had a choice I’d never go back there.”
“Ellie, are things really that bad?”
As much as she wanted to tell him, she was afraid he’d think she was nuts. Even if he believed her, it wouldn’t be fair to drag him into the drama unfolding at the big house above the lake. But at least she would find some peace at Stetson Farms, and in the worst case scenario, a place to hide.
“Ellie?”
