AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Anya met my eyes across the room and smiled.
“I see Doc left you well-equipped,” I said as I pulled out the chair across from Damien, smiling at him.
“The lady who handles the local wildlife rehabilitation has been overrun with animals this month so I offered to keep him here until she can take him.” She said without looking up.
I glanced at Mrs. Hart who smiled as she put down a tray of roast potatoes. So, Anya was staying then. I didn’t want to push my luck by questioning it, glad that made the right call to bring it back to the house.
Beau came in a few minutes later and saw the joey and my shirt before raising an eyebrow at me. I shrugged, deciding to have the conversation with him later. We all ate in relative silence, no one wanting to mention the real estate brochures that sat on the side table within eye distance.
The joey was the sweet little miracle of beginning my plan, tomorrow the real work would begin to keep her here.
I gripped the reins tightly, walking towards the house where I could see Anya on the porch with a coffee.
She looked at me as the sound of horses’ hooves pulled her attention and I saw the recognition in her eyes as she saw who I was leading.
“Fancy giving us a hand? Beau can't make it out with us, and we are a rider short.” I lied. She didn’t need to know that we didn’t need him out there.
“I’m not interested.” She said as she eyed the horse next to me. Her ears pricked up at the sound of Anya’s voice.
“Got your horse ready for you. All you gotta do is jump on.” I coaxed as Anya stood, putting the coffee cup on the small table before walking over to us.
“Hey Callie,” she said softly, and the horse nickered, nudging Anya in the shoulder, making her laugh.
“You’re a cruel man, William Daley. Using my horse against me,” she said as she cupped Callie’s face, resting her forehead against the horse.
“She hasn’t let many ride her since you have been gone. Beau managed to get on her a bit and she lets me exercise her, but she mostly is wild and free so she could do with a good ride.” I watched the woman and horse as they both reconnected, knowing I made the right choice.
“Fine. You hooked me. I’ll go get some boots on.” Anya said with a huff, and I grinned.
“You sure you remember how to ride, cowgirl?” I teased and she glared at me.
“I can outride you any day, Will.” She said and I wagged my eyebrows at her.
“I don’t know. I’ve been riding the broncs for the past year; I got a good seat on me now.” I said as she tilted her head with interest.
“You’re bronc riding? I never pictured you as a rodeo boy.” She said before she turned back to the house.
“Rodeo man, Filly,” I shouted. “And I will give you the ride of your life,” I added as she turned back to stare at me. I watched her cheeks turn red as she looked me over before disappearing inside.
Yeah. I had every intention of winning her over and proving to her that I was all man.
Ten
Anya
I mounted Callie and had the instant marvel feeling in the feeling of having a horse beneath me.
There was something unique and unexplainable about feeling the muscles and breath of another animal connected to you.
But the second we moved, I also remembered it had been two years since I had been on a horse and my seat wasn’t what it used to be.
Callie felt it too, chomping at the bit and shifting from foot to foot. She could feel my nerves and Callie was notorious for taking advantage of that.
“You alright up there, Filly?” William said and I smiled tightly, not wanting to give away the fact that I was just a little scared.
“You look tense. You sure you remember what to do?” He goaded and I glared at him, turning Callie towards the gates that were open for the others to ride through.
“I’ll be fine. Just like riding a bike, right?” I shot back, urging her on as Wyatt waited for us so he could close the gate.
