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Placing the hot cocoa on the fence post, I climb over, swinging my leg so I am sitting on the fence as I pick the flask up and jump down, ignoring the way my bones crack and my muscles ache, I continue walking towards the stall.
Ignoring the sickly nervous feeling that is currently coursing through me I approach the steel grate and hear her muttering to herself, but I have no idea what the hell she is going on about. Leaning against the frame of the double sliding stable door, I just stand and watch her for a moment. Her honey blonde hair is still in a ponytail, but a few strands are now hanging down and framing her pretty face. The way the curve of her ass looks in her tight light denim jeans, her long, toned legs that I fantasize about having locked around my waist. Her full chest that is hidden behind her flannel shirt finish off her perfect hourglass figure.
I could stand and watch her all day.
She stands, huffing and dropping the fork to the floor. She tugs her gloves off and throws them on top of the fork. She looks tired.
“How the fuck am I going to get these damn horses in?” she mutters and I can hear the crack in her voice. “You can’t even get on a horse,”she says in a childish mimic and I let out a low chuckle, but I don’t miss the way my heart throbs in my chest, the way it aches.
I step aside, placing her cocoa on the floor and then I place the wrapped brownie on top of the flask and lay the flowers down next to it.
“I didn’t say that actually,” my voice booms through the stalls and I watch as her eyes widen as they scope me out.
“Fuck you,” she flips me off and my lips twist as I feel a chuckle vibrate low in my throat.
“Let me apologize,” I step towards her, her lips parting and her eyes falling to my lips, “Let me do something to show you just howsorryI am.”
“I don’t want you to apologize,” she stammers, stepping away from me.
“I didn’t ask if you wanted me to, I want to. There is a difference.” I wink at her as I close the gap between us completely. Looking down at her, it takes everything in me not to run my thumb over her full bottom lip, tracing it down her jaw before I clasp her pretty face in my hands and slant my lips over hers. To kiss her, to remember what it feels like to have her lips on mine. “Now, stop acting like a brat and let me help you.”
I watch as she twists her lips and then she crosses her arms across her chest.
“Fine,” I hold my arms up in defeat, turning and walking towards the exit of the stables, “get the horses in by yourself,” I call out and pray that she takes me up on my offer.
“Fine!” she calls out and my lips twitch.
I spin on my heel and place my hands on my hips. “There’s a good girl,” I wink at her, “now come on, let’s get the mares in.”
She walks cautiously towards me and I can see the fear etched into her eyes.
“It’s okay, I’m right here, let’s just take it slow, okay?” I say softly as she stands beside me and gives a shallow nod.
Stepping onto the yard, the six horses are all stood eating hay bags.
“Any preference?” I ask, squinting as the low afternoon sun comes round and warms us.
“Nope,” she just about manages, her voice tight and her breaths ragged.
“Right, let’s do the bay mare. We will do it together okay?” my voice is soft as I begin to move towards the horse. I stop once I am next to it, and give the bay a pat on the neck. “Your turn,” I step aside as Aspen freezes beside me.
“I can’t do it,” she shakes her head from side to side.
“You can, I promise Aspen.”
“Oh look, another false promise,” she snipes at me but I ignore it because truthfully I do deserve it.
Letting my fingers brush against the back of her hand, her breath stutters at the back of her throat as I wrap my fingers around her wrist gently and slowly lift her small hand so it’s hovering over the horse’s neck. That’s when I notice that her engagement ring has gone. My brows pinch, but I ignore the urge to ask her.
The bay mare’s ears fold back and she swishes her tail which causes a whimper from Aspen.
“Aspen,” I whisper, which causes her to turn and face me, “she can sense your fear, just small steps. You’re doing so well,” I reassure her as her eyes leave mine and focus on the horse in front of us.
Slowly, she edges her hand forward and places it flat on the horse’s neck and I don’t miss the choked gasp that leaves her, silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
“There we go Dinks; you’re doing amazing,” I praise her and my heart swells in my chest. This might not seem a lot, but this is fucking huge for Aspen.
The mare stamps her back hoof on the ground which makes Aspen jump and she pulls her hand away quickly. Untying the rope, I lead the mare back to her stall and Aspen walks by my side.
