Page 81 of Take My Kiss
Maybe he’s confused or hopes I’ll become his dad since he’s never met his.
Either way, I could only dream of being theirs someday.
Instead of correcting him, I give him a high-five.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say once I’m on my horse.
Bodie leads us out to the trail, with Sam in the middle, and me following. It’s a warm and sunny day, nearly perfect for riding up the mountain. Between the birds chirping and the waterfall sounds from Willow Falls River, it’s a quiet and peaceful ride.
“Give him a little kick,” I tell Sam. “And hang on.”
The horses gallop up a hill, and we’re greeted with a beautiful view of the sun over the property.
Sam’s wide eyes as he scans along the tree line make me smile. “When I get big like you, I wanna live here.”
“You do?”
“Yep, and maybe I can have my own cabin and horse.”
I can’t help feeling hopeful that someday his dream will become a reality.
“I’d love that,” I tell him honestly.
“And maybe Mom and Lily can come visit.”
I snicker. “I’m sure they’d love to.”
We stop at one of the streams so the horses can drink some water. There are only a few other people on the trails, but otherwise, it’s been a quiet ride.
“You’re doin’ really well, Sam,” I say, noticing his posture and how he holds the reins.
“He’s a natural,” Bodie adds.
“That’s ’cause Imma cowboy!”
“You sure are.” I laugh when he waves his hat over his head like a lasso.
I’m going to miss this when they leave. He’s such an easygoing, adventurous, and fun kid to be around. Every morning, he watches me make breakfast, assisting where he can, and then helps Lily cut up her food into smaller pieces. He fills up her cup with milk and makes sure she’s buckled in her booster seat. I’ve gotten used to our routine and even look forward to it.
“Colt, why does someone wanna take me from Mommy?”
His question takes me off guard as we ride side by side down the hill.
“I dunno, buddy. Some people are bad, and we don’t always know why. But you don’t gotta be scared ’cause I’m never gonna let anyone hurt you.”
He glances up at me with a confident smile. “I know you won’t. That’s why I called you Dad, even if you aren’t my real one, you’ll protect me like Dads are supposed to.”
Fuck, now everything’s blurry.
Moving my horse closer to his, I reach over and wrap my arm around his shoulders. “Always, buddy. No matter what.”
Bodie looks at us over his shoulder, and without even speaking, I know what he’s thinking.
I’m in fucking deep.
Once we return to the stables and groom the horses, I drop Sam off with Bodie so I can go to the hardware store to get extra locks and cameras. The girls are still gone and Lily’s at daycare, so I have time to get everything installed before everyone returns.
Sam runs around outside with Remy while Bodie and I cuss at the doorbell that won’t connect to the WiFi. Granted, it doesn’t always work out here, but it should still be an option.
