Page 89 of Falling for Her

I sigh. “It was nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing,” she says softly. I close my eyes, not sure I should tell her about Davis. “Why didn’t you call me or come over here?”

“It’s fine. I stayed in the house, Asa slept with Lincoln, and I took his bed.”

I hear talking on her side. “Shit, I have to go on a call.” I can hear her rushing now. “Can you promise me that you will call me if you need anything?”

“I promise,” I agree quickly to get her off the phone so she can do her job. “Be safe.” I hear a siren as she disconnects.

I tuck my phone in the back pocket of my jeans as I walk out of the house and lock the door behind me. The sun is already shining, and the only shade on the front steps comes from the trees. Two birds soar in the sky, and I give them a little smile.

I notice the neighbor sitting out on his porch. “Good morning.” I smile and wave, and he smiles back.

“Going to be a good one indeed.” He rocks in his chair.

I don’t think I even know who my neighbors are back home. I mean, my penthouse is the whole floor, and no one else can access it. I barely see anyone in the elevator, and when I do, we usually just nod and look away.

I get in my SUV and make my way over to the ranch. The little butterflies in my stomach take flight as soon as I see the horse I’ve fallen in love with in the arena.

“Finley!” Asa barrels toward me, swinging his arms in the air, around and around like a windmill.

“Hey.” I wait for him to crash into me, then wrap my arms around him. “Good morning.”

He looks up at me, and I smile when I see his warm brown eyes, just like his father’s. “Good morning.” He moves out of my arms. “I mucked the stalls and didn’t vomit.”

I laugh, looking over at Wyatt, who is standing with Charlie, looking at us. “Is that so?”

“Yeah.” He nods his head furiously. “And I gave them breakfast and water.”

“Look at you.” I ruffle his hair. “Get you some boots and a cowboy hat, and you’ll be a proper cowboy.”

He jumps up and down as I walk toward Charlie. “Good morning.”

“Hey,” he says, smiling at me. “He’s been waiting to tell you all about his morning.” He motions to Asa with his chin. “He was also asking if you guys are going riding.”

I try to bite my lower lip to stop myself from smiling, but he can see me fighting it. “Twist a girl’s arm, why don’t you?”

The four of us take the horses on a trail ride. When we’re almost back, Charlie looks over at me. “You can open him up, if you want.”

I lean down and whisper in Rocky’s ear. “Want to run free?”

He neighs before I nudge his side, and he starts to take off. I give him his lead, and he turns away from the trail into the field, as the others continue on toward the barn. I crouch down on him, feeling the wind blow through my hair. Like always, when I’m riding, I feel a sense of peace, but this time it’s different. I have never felt like I belonged anywhere. But here, right now, I feel it, like I belong here.

When we arrive at the barn, I dismount and dust off my hands. I take care of Rocky, then find Asa and Wyatt perched on the arena fence, talking and watching Charlie work with one of the horses.

“Okay, buddy, it’s time to go and get lunch.” I look at Wyatt. “Do you want to come with us?”

“Can I go with them, Uncle Charlie?” Wyatt asks, and Charlie nods.

“I’ll bring him back in a bit,” I tell him as the two kids run to my SUV.

We drive to the bakery, and they are out of the car before I turn the engine off. I laugh at them, each trying to be first in the shop. By the time I step inside, the boys are already at a table with Brock and Everleigh’s daughter, Sage, and her friend Lucy.

“Well, well, well,” Everleigh says, coming from the back, “you’re here right on time.”

“Was I supposed to be here?” I try to remember if I made plans with her and forgot.

“Not really, but I assumed you would be dropping in for lunch as usual, so I got the girls to come in so we can”—she looks at me super excited, clapping her hands—“have an impromptu baking lesson.”