After a hectic return to work, Bella hurried home and showered, throwing on jeans and a slightly nicer top than she’d normally choose for a trail ride. The beaded vee-neck showed off the curve of her breasts, and the mauve color brought out the softness in her eyes. On the way out, she left a note for her brother and grabbed her backpack and faded denim jacket from the hook by the back door.
When she walked into the barn, the guys called hello as they went about the task of bringing the horses in for feeding and brushing. “Hey, Bella,” Greg said. “He’s up in the far paddock. Says would you meet him there. The horses are all set.”
Bella thanked him, wondering why Greg’s eyes seemed to be holding some kind of secret. “Everything okay?”
“Far as I know. Have fun,” he said, unsuccessful in hiding a smile as he turned to feed Dusty.
Hmm… Now what? she mused, climbing the rise. As she neared the paddock, she saw Whip, elbow on the fence, chatting with two of the men. She loved the easy way he carried himself, his lean strength, his smile, and the way he interacted with his colleagues. There was a reason why they listened to him, strove to be like him, and respected him completely. In jeans and a faded blue Valley Stables T-shirt, he was the quintessential cowboy, like Harley and few others.
When Whip spied her, he ended his conversation and headed down, tipping his hat as they neared each other. “Am I glad to see you.” He opened his arms.
“You too,” she said, hugging him tightly, wishing she never had to let go. She felt her body heat rise and knew if he’d invited her to drop her jeans and straddle him right there, she wouldn’t have hesitated, damn the audience.
He kissed her hungrily, then stepped away. “You still up for a ride?”
“I am,” she said as she noticed the saddled horses in the pen behind them. “That isn’t…? Is it?”
He grinned from ear to ear, his gray eyes sparkling. “Yup.”
“In two weeks?”
“Yup.”
“But how? I can’t believe it. It’s almost a miracle. Is it even safe?”
“That’s a lot of questions, babe. Short answer—the combination of treatment on his mouth and being back with his herd has made all the difference. And, yes, he’s safe. I’ve taken him on three rides this week and he behaved perfectly. He loves it on the trail. You’re on Swallow. She’s his favorite. Greg and I took them out this morning and had a great ride.”
“If you say so.”
“If you’re nervous with a wildie, I can put you on Calico,” he said, referring to his Appaloosa. “I haven’t tested them together, though.”
“Swallow is fine,” Bella said. “She’s a calm, beautiful girl. It’s amazing how she’s filled out in a such short time.”
As they headed to the paddock gate, Whip nodded. “Thank Grace for how she looks. When she’s through working with Dusty, she’s been brushing Swallow and Star, giving them extra treats, you name it.”
As they approached the horses, Bella found her heart beating faster. Ghost eyed her briefly, but most of his attention was on Swallow and Whip. “I brought a couple of waters,” she said, opening her backpack. “Do you have room for them in the saddlebags.”
“Sure do,” he said, stowing them. “You can leave the pack, unless you need anything that’s in it?”
“Just my pepper spray,” she said, pulling the bottle out.
“There’s a small pocket at the back of your saddle. Stick it in there. I have some too and the shotgun.”
After Bella stowed the can of pepper spray, she stood on Swallow’s left side, taking hold of the mare’s lead and the saddle pommel. She leaned back slightly, placed her foot in the stirrup, and easily pulled herself up to sit. Swallow took of few steps forward, but was settled and calm. As Whip helped her get the other foot in the stirrup, he said, “Guess Greg was right. You didn’t need the steps.”
“Now for you,” she said, clicking as she turned Swallow. The mare walked to the opposite side of the corral. As Bella watched, he mounted the stallion in a fluid, easy motion. “I still can’t believe it.”
Whip whistled to one of the men to open the gate, and off they went. “I thought we’d stick to the Loop Trail, then branch off and follow the river a ways,” he said. “There’s more shade, and we can find a place to stop and water them. Ghost loves it along the river.”
“Lead the way!” she said, patting Swallow’s withers. “Good girl, let’s go.”
As they followed the huge white stallion, she marveled at Whip’s control and felt sure a weaker rider would not have been able to handle the horse. Certainly not me, she mused, but then those two are bonded.
Ghost occasionally peeked back to check on Swallow, but otherwise trotted comfortably as they started down the Loop. When the path widened, Whip would pause and let the horses come side by side. Then he’d reach out for Bella’s hand. At first, this terrified her and she held Swallow’s pommel, mane, and reins in a death grip, but as they proceeded, she relaxed. The horses clearly liked to be near one another, and she loved her connection to Whip.
“Pretty cool, huh?” he asked, echoing her thoughts.
“Not just cool, a miracle. I’m surprised my brother sanctioned this.”
“He didn’t. He thinks I’m riding Calico.”
“Oh jeez, more lecturing.”
“Come on,” he said as they entered an open area with fields on both sides of the trail. He nudged Ghost, and the stallion took off at full gallop, Swallow following. The mare couldn’t keep up with the strong beast ahead, but she moved gracefully and surely, with Bella breathless in the saddle.
As they neared the end of the open space, she called, “Thanks for the warning.”
“Never would have let him go except I knew you’re as experienced in the saddle as I am.”
“Hardly,” she said, laughing.
“There’s a cutoff ahead that leads to the river, okay?”
“You’re the boss.”
They rode along the water for several miles, the languid Gila to their right. As they reached a clearing with a grassy setback, he called, “This is a good place to stop.”
They dismounted and brought the horses down to the water. Had Whip been on Calico, he would have let him go, but instead, he stretched out the reins so both horses could reach the water, then tied them to nearby trees. Bella watched him take care of the animals, his eyes continually scanning their surroundings. “This place is almost like a staging post,” she said as he joined her in the shade.
“Now all it needs is a comfortable bench, but a horse blanket will have to do,” he said, moving to unpack the saddle bags. He took out the water bottles, sandwiches, and cheese and crackers, and finally a bottle of Saguaro Pinot Noir and two plastic glasses. “Would have brought champagne,” he said, setting everything on the blanket, “but keeping it cold was a problem.”
Bella smiled. “And no one likes warm champagne. Are we celebrating?”
He gave her a shy smile. “Truth is I don’t much like champagne or most wines. I’m a cowboy. What can I say?”
“You didn’t answer my celebrating question.”
“You coming home, of course, and Ghost’s progress. Swallow’s too.” He uncorked and poured the wine, then handed her a glass. “How are you? Tell me all about the trip.”
“Not much to tell. Dad’s fine, just has to take it easy. My parents have morphed from ranchers into Florida nouveau riche. Their house is ridiculously large for two people, they have a bunch of hired help, and they’ve taken up golf and all kinds of Florida activities, including pickle ball and water aerobics. A personal trainer comes to the house every day to put them through their paces too. It was good to see them, though, so I’m glad I went. You’ll meet them sometime whenever my brother and Grace tie the knot, maybe sooner. Now, enough about me. Tell me about the past two weeks!”
He told her about the training and breakthroughs with Ghost as well as his progress with Haley. Observing him, Bella realized she’d never seen him so calm and relaxed. As he finished talking, she remarked on this difference.
“Haley, Ghost, and all this,” he said, waving a hand back and forth between them. “It’s all helped me recognize what I really want, what’s possible, and what I can’t live without. That’s a first for me as I’m used to pushing through each day, never stopping, never thinking till I hit the bed at night. I’ve been living like that for over thirty years.”
“I’m glad,” she said, leaning forward to kiss him softly. “So, what do you want? What’s possible and what can’t you live without?”
“All the answers come back to you,” he said. “I think, but am not one hundred percent sure, that it’s possible for me to be close to you and the others in my life who I’ve pushed away for years. I think you know that I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything. Ever. I also know that there’s a lot of things I can live without, but the one thing I can’t is you.”
He turned away and grabbed something behind him. As he faced her again, his fist was wrapped around a small blue velvet box. “Since I couldn’t travel all the way to Florida, I had a talk with Tom the other night.”
“Oh?” she said, eyes wide.
“And he gave me permission to do this.”
“Do what?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“I love you, Bella, beyond all reason. There are tons of things I can live without in this world, but I know with certainty that I can’t live another day without you. I know I’m just a cowboy, so beneath you in so many ways.”
“Yes,” she said, answering the question he had not yet asked.
Whip continued as if he hadn’t heard. “I’m not nearly good enough for you, but I can do better, much better. I will work every day to be better for you.”
“Yes,” she whispered, nodding.
“I’m going to ask you something, and I don’t expect you to say yes right away, especially since you seem to be agreeing about the ‘not good enough,’ ‘beneath you’ stuff, but if I don’t ask, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. Bella, will you make me the happiest cowboy in the world and marry me?”
As he opened the tiny box to reveal an exquisite ring, one lone diamond ringed by tiny sapphires, she leapt forward, throwing herself into his arms. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you! I’ve been trying to say yes for the last five minutes. I love you more than words can express! You are not beneath me in any way shape or form, Whip Kittredge. You are the most incredible man I’ve ever met, and I love you so much. I cannot imagine living another second without you!” She showered kisses on his forehead and cheeks, finding his lips at last.
Breathless with longing, he broke the kiss and gazed down at her. “You said yes.”
“Of course, I did!”
“So, now can I give you this?” He took the ring from its place.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, holding out her hand as he slipped it on. “Perfect fit.”
“It was my grandmother’s. Johnny was supposed to have it, for the woman he married. My mom shipped it to me last week.”
“I love it, and I love you,” she said, straddling him, hips moving over his arousal.
Whip grinned. “You know, this is a pretty public trail. Anyone could come along…”
“Do you care?”
“Did you really say yes?”
“I certainly did,” she said, moving off him to slip out of her boots, jeans, and panties.
“Well, I suppose I should be worried about my future wife’s reputation,” he said, already unzipping his jeans and releasing his cock.
“Well, I’m not, fiancé,” she whispered in his ear as she stroked him.
Whip leaned back and pulled her on top of him, slipping into her hot, wet depths. “Home,” he sighed.
Bella moved over him, head thrown back, lost in blinding sensation as he cupped her breasts and gave himself to her.
As they collapsed, drenched in sweat after an explosive climax, they heard voices coming from north of them. Laughing, they dressed quickly, and were almost put together when Nick Parker and a stranger came into view.
“Whoa,” Parker said, gazing around. “I’ve been on vacation for the past week and just got back. This is my friend, Daniel, from Tucson. Not sure what to be surprised about. You two or Ghost with a saddle on his back.”
“Great to meet you, Daniel. We’re getting married!” Whip cried, coming forward to shake the man’s hand.
“Congratulations,” Nick and this stranger, who seemed more than a friend to him, said simultaneously. Nick added. “We’re going to keep going and let you celebrate. I want to hear everything about Ghost another time. See you.” With that, they cantered down the trail out of sight.
Whip pulled her close, kissing her sweetly. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
Bella smiled, running her fingers through his hair. “Several times, my love.”
“I’m sorry if I went public without asking you.”
“I couldn’t be happier, although we’d better get back and tell Tom, or I’ll never hear the end of it.” She kissed him again.
“I’m with you babe.”
“I’ll clean up, and you grab the horses.”
A few minutes later, they were riding side by side, hand in hand, along the trail. “Come here,” he said, leaning toward her. Miraculously, they managed a brief kiss. “I’m warning you now.”
“About what?” she asked, looking ahead to the narrowing trail.
“That I’m planning to love you more every day. Can you handle that?”
“That makes two of us,” she said, smiling.
“And around that next bend, we’re climbing up into open meadow and I’m going to let Ghost go. You ready for that?”
“I love you,” she said, “and don’t worry, I’ll be ready.”
* * *
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