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Which was kind of adorable to her frazzled brain.
He hopped to the ground and pulled out the map from his back pocket. “We can connect to the other trail loop up ahead so we don’t have to go past the ground hive again.” He grabbed a pen from his saddlebag, placed the map against the saddle, then scribbled a note with an X marking the hive location and slid the map and pen into the saddlebag.
She rubbed her abdomen again where the horn had practically impaled her. “How long do you think it will take for us to walk back?”
“Beth…” A tight set locked Grayson’s jaw. He pulled off his hat and scrubbed his hand back and forth over his hair, then rubbed Rex’s neck and looked at her, a little reluctant and lot wrecked. “You should do it.”
The full force of it hit her. He’d watched her near wreck unfold in front of his eyes. She’d felt the wild beating of his heart. She’d felt the need in his kiss.
He’d been shaken and he felt responsible.
Get back on a horse.
Her stomach hardened and her heart rate accelerated. “I can’t.”
Get back on a horse.
“You can. I know it’s hard.” His eyes were bright with unshed tears. “But you didn’t do it the last time.” He gave her hand a little squeeze. “I’ll be with you. Right next to you.”
She shook her head. Nope. No way.
“You have to.” He rubbed her fingers with his thumb.
“Do I?”
He closed his eyes, nodded, and then refocused on her. “And not for anyone else. Not for the job. Not for Eli. Not…for me. You need to get back on that horse for you.” He looked down at her, his eyes deep, pure green. “I don’t want you to go another twenty years, or whatever ridiculous amount it’s been, not riding.”
He was right. She knew he was right. Why, oh why did it have to be so stinking hard?
Do not be afraid.
She squeezed his hand and then released it so she could pet Rex. A thought bobbed in the back of her mind.
Ask.
She let out a breath. “If I get back on, will you do something for me?”
“I’m not going to steal cinnamon rolls from the bakery for you.” He winked and ran Maverick’s reins through his fingers.
“You want me to face this fear.” She shook out the nerves. “Let me take you kayaking this afternoon. On Lake Superior.”
His hands stilled and he swallowed. “Not what I was expecting.”
No. No, no, and no. The weight of her request pummeled her. What was she thinking?
She held up a hand. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to do that. I shouldn’t have asked that.”
He seemed to process her request for a few moments, his green eyes on hers. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I want to.” He reached out again and took her hand. “Yes.”
She swallowed. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll get on Rex anyway.”
Man, he was handsome. He stood there, strong and vulnerable all at the same time. “If there’s one person I trust to take me out on that lake, it’s you.”
Oh.
It wasn’t anI love youor a commitment to stay in Deep Haven, but, wow. Okay.
Now she felt sick. Because not only did she have to get on the horse; she’d committed to taking him out on the lake—which was no big deal to her. But to him?
