Page 129 of Wilde Ride

“Thanks, Marshall.”

“Sure thing.” He turned and opened the gate for Emeline, who walked out with the thoroughbred.

“What’s her name?”

“Starlight. It’s like she was meant to be with us with a name like that.” She walked up next to Comet and let the two horses smell each other. “It looks like a storm is going to be moving in, so it’ll be a short ride.”

“Sounds good. Shall you lead the way?”

Emeline started toward a trail, and I followed behind until she motioned for me to come alongside her. Starlight reached over and nipped at Comet, who simply ignored her.

“Smart boy,” I said, giving him a soft pat on the neck.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were working all day at the clinic?”

“I was until my father came in and asked if he could see some patients.”

She laughed. “So much for retiring.”

“It’s only been three weeks since he officially retired. He wanted to be done by November first, and he was. Couldn’t even make it to Thanksgiving.”

Starlight reached over and bullied Comet once again, and he ignored her. Again.

“I’d say you paired up the right horses for this ride.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, I figured she was going to have a bit of attitude, and Comet’s the most laidback horse we have on the ranch. He has zero fucks to give.”

It was my turn to laugh.

“Speaking of Thanksgiving, what are you and Rhett planning on doing, since your parents are going to Las Vegas?”

“We’re going to make a turkey.”

“You’re going to make a turkey?” she asked, clearly surprised.

“Why do you sound like you don’t think I can make a turkey?”

“Can you?”

I shrugged. “How hard can it be?”

“A whole turkey?”

“Nah,” I said as I moved Comet away from Starlight just a bit. She looked like she was ready to take a chunk out of him again. “Maybe just a breast. Some stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, and a pumpkin pie.”

“You’re going to make all of that?”

Looking at her, I flashed my sexiest smile. “I was hoping for some help.”

Her head tossed back as she laughed. Fuck, it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

“Is that a no?”

She looked at me, and the way her eyes sparkled made my heart skip a beat in my chest. “I would love to help you make Thanksgiving dinner. I’ve never missed one at my parents’ before, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. Unless you and Rhett wanted to come over to my folks’ place?”

“I appreciate the invite, but I really want to start some traditions. We always went out to eat on Thanksgiving because Caroline never had the desire to have a traditional family meal at home.”

“I’d be honored to join your first Thanksgiving Day meal then. And I have to tell you, I make a mean stuffing.”