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He’d been beyond drunk and probably said more than one foolish thing, but he remembered that kiss. He remembered Morning Dove kissing him back, too.
He smiled to himself and nudged Cash into a trot. Finding her had been the only thing he could think of when he got up. He owed her an apology, but wanted to see if her reaction to that kiss was all in his imagination or if there was something more there.
Rounding the bend, the sound of someone yelling filled the air. He looked toward the mountains where Willow Creek wound through the valley. He could see it well from here, the thin ribbon of water shining like glass in the noonday sun. He saw Morning Dove a moment later. Wind Chaser was bolting across the prairie as fast as she could run, Morning Dove hanging on for dear life.
“Ah, hell.” Ben nudged Cash into a full run and headed for the valley. He’d never known but a few of Holden’s horses to have a wild streak in them and the horse he’d bought Morning Dove didn’t have one. Or he didn’t think she did. Apparently, he’d been wrong.
Morning Dove and Wind Chaser neared the creek, and he held his breath when the horse leaped across a narrow section and landed on the other side. “Damn it! Hold on, Morning Dove!”
He raced down the hill, never taking his eyes off of her. His heart raced and fear crawled down his spine, more so when Morning Dove drew her legs up. That’s when he realized Wind Chaser wasn’t saddled.
The world seemed to slow to a crawl as Ben watched Morning Dove brace her hands and jump up onto the horse's back, her bare feet spread wide. When she straightened and let go of Wind Chaser's mane, he stopped breathing.
Standing on Wind Chasers back as the horse galloped across the prairie, Morning Dove was magnificent. Beautiful and graceful, and as he drew closer and could see the look on her face, he knew she was truly happy in that moment. He’d never seen her smile like that. Morning Dove always looked so—serious—to him. She rarely smiled, and when she did, it was the tiniest lifting at the corner of her mouth.
What he saw on her face now was pure joy.
She’d paired her buckskin dress with pants today and the fringe on both was blowing in the wind. She was barefoot and her hair was loose, the long length of it flying behind her like a cape, and the sound of her laughter filled him with warmth knowing he was in part responsible for her joy. Gifting her Wind Chaser had been the best decision he’d made in years.
He threw his hand up when Wind Chaser changed directions and Morning Dove could see him. She spotted him a moment later and sat down on Wind Chaser's back with a thump. The horse slowed to a trot before stopping by the creek underneath a scraggly tree that offered the barest sliver of shade.
Cash crossed the creek and ambled toward them. Morning Dove jumped to the ground, her bare feet all but disappearing in the tall grass. Their eyes met, and he shook his head. “Woman, you just scared ten years off my life.”
She grinned. “How so?”
There was that smile again, directed at him this time. Cash came to a stop and Ben jumped to the ground, wrapping the reins around the saddle pommel before letting the horse wander. “How? By racing across the valley screaming. I thought that horse was out of control.”
Morning Dove laughed, and the sound of it was like music. He didn’t think he’d ever heard her laugh before. Not a full-blown laugh like that one. “What are you doing out here?”
“Riding,” she said. “Is it not obvious?”
“Well, I hate to tell you, but you were doing it all wrong.”
She grinned and brushed her hair away from her face before grabbing the length of it and pulling it over one shoulder.
He nodded to Wind Chaser with his head. “Where’d you learn to ride a horse like that?”
“My father.” She smiled. The sadness he’d seen in her eyes that day at the Avery Ranch when she talked about him wasn’t there this time.
“He loved to show off on Star Dancer and rode him often that way. I insisted he teach me.” She grinned and crossed her arms across her stomach. “We spent many lazy days riding while he taught me to stand on my pony. I have not done it since I was a child.”
She turned to Wind Chaser. “I was not sure she would let me, but slowly we have bonded. Today was the first day I could stand straight up.”
Ben shook his head. “Well, I’m glad I didn’t see your failed attempts.”
The sun was behind her and in that moment, she looked ethereal. The swaying branches of the tree cast shadows across her face, followed by shafts of sunlight. Her cheeks were flushed pink and seeing her dressed as she was, she looked wild and untamed, and utterly captivating.
“You are staring.”
A slow smile curved his lips. “Can’t help it. Seeing you happy makes me happy.”
Her pink cheeks darkened before she turned away. He barely caught the smile on her face as she did.
The sun was high in the sky and beating down on the back of his neck. He headed to the old tree, to one of the few shady spots its spindly limbs cast, and sat down. He removed his hat, running his fingers through his hair before placing the hat back on his head and propping his arms on his upturned knees. “I went looking for you at Aaron and Betsey’s place.”
“Oh? Why?”
“To apologize to you.”
