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“She loved you.”
Trailing her hand over Teddy’s head to his ears, she scratched behind them. The animal leaned into her touch.
“You’re like a big dog.”
“Let me put you on him.”
“Oh, no...I can’t. I’m not even wearing shoes.”
“Sure you can. You’re fearless. I’ll walk you around the yard.” She put her hands over her stomach. “I’d never put you or your baby in danger. I won’t let you fall.”
“O-okay.”
He bent and lifted her in his arms. Making a clicking sound with his tongue, Gage got Teddy to back closer to the steps leading into the yard and set Rowan in the saddle.
“It’s high!”
With him on the steps, they were eye to eye. “Rowan?” She looked at him. “Breathe and trust me.”
Unwinding the reins from the porch rail, he walked into the grass. Putting his palm at Rowan’s lower back, he gave a small whistle and Teddy started to walk.
Instant panic.“Gage...!”
“I’ve got you, sweetheart. Feel the way his muscles adjust when he moves. He’s steady and he never spooks.”
Her heart raced and she panted fearfully through her lips.
Gage put her palm on Teddy’s neck. “Feel that power, Rowan. Can you feel it?”
Focusing on the horse, she took a deep breath. Teddy was calm, warm, and undeniably powerful. She’d seen him run, unleash his speed with Gage on his back but he walked slow and steady carrying Rowan.
There was something about the rhythm of the horse that calmed her fear - thatcalmedher, period.
Stroking her fingers through his mane, she didn’t understand her tears but there was something different about them.
Gage said softly, “Lean over the saddle a bit.” He bounded up behind her and wrapped one arm around her torso. “Close your eyes, sweetheart.”
She did, blushing at the way he felt pressed against her back. Her body was stiff, nervous.
“Bennett loved talkin’ about his horses.” She nodded. “It was one of his greatest regrets, not bein’ able to teach you to ride. Said he wouldn’t trust just anybody but he wouldn’t mind if I gave it a try one day.”
Tears slipped from under her closed lids to the back of Gage’s arm holding her.
At her ear, he whispered, “Pretend Bennett got the chance to put you in the saddle, Rowan. That he showed you the power you never knew could be at your fingertips. I don’t mind. Keep your eyes closed and experience what it would have been like if he’d been healthier when you met him.”
The gentle movements of the horse lulled Rowan into a sort of dream state. She imagined Bennett behind her, holding her, showing her one of the things he loved most.
She could see Bennett’s smile, the way his eyes would light up, being on the back of one of his prized horses - maybe showing off a little and laughing as he called himself on it.
Her body relaxed bit by bit until her back rested against Gage’s chest. Her palm cupped the thick muscle of his thigh.
“Everything was taken from you piece by piece,” she murmured. “Stealing who you were one day at a time.” Her tears fell faster but they didn’t burn. “All the things you loved drifting further and further out of your reach.”
“Never you, Rowan. You never drifted.”
“Now you’re the one out of reach.”
A warm palm settled on her belly and a soft voice said, “Leavin’ a piece behind for you to love.”
