“Was that necessary?” Standing, Paige rubbed Kitty’s neck. “Here, if you pet her right here, she’ll fall in love with you.” Paige brushed her hand over Kitty’s nose. She really needed to stop thinking about love and kissing and broad backs covered in flannel. Clearing her throat, Paige was grateful her thoughts were her own.
Slowly, Addison extended her arm, her palm coming to rest on Kitty’s face. She rubbed side to side. Kitty blew out again and Addison didn’t flinch.
Paige grinned. “Well-trained horses, like these three, are used to having people around, but you still have to be safe. Don’t startle them with loud noises. They don’t like to be scared, and because they’re big, they can knock you down.”
Addison nodded, her hand still moving against Kitty’s nose.
“Also, don’t walk behind them unless they know you are there. Some horses kick first and ask questions later.”
Addison giggled. “They don’t talk.”
“Oh, but they do.” Paige winked.
They went to Annie May’s stall next, and then they went to see the pony. “This is Buttons.”
Addison giggled again, her eyes alight. Where Kitty and Annie May were bigger than life in a child’s eyes, Buttons was just the right size. He was barely an inch taller than Addison, which instantly put the girl at ease. She walked right up to him, brushed aside his bushy forelock, and rubbed his forehead.
Buttons pressed his head against Addison’s chest and rubbed up and down for a deeper scratch. Addison laughed. “What is he doing?”
Paige grabbed the brush off the hook by the door. “Using you as a scratching post.” She smiled and handed the brush to Addison. “Looks like he needs a little attention. Do you want to brush him?”
Addison snatched the brush and began a thorough grooming. After a moment of silent work, she began speaking in low tones, saying things like “You’re a pretty pony” or “I’ll brush you until you shine.”
Badger came barreling into the stall, his tongue hanging out to the side. He stood up on his back legs and stuck his muzzle unto the trough, slurping loudly. Addison watched the whole thing with wonder, her hands never stopping. For his part, Buttons ignored the dog and held still, enjoying every brush stroke.
One quick whistle, and Badger ran right back out the door. Paige stuck her head out of the stall and waved to Christopher.
He moseyed over. “Glad to see you’re still here.”
“Ha. I’ve handled rougher crowds.” Paige didn’t want to say anything in front of Addison that might make it back to Mr. Walker. She turned and nodded toward the girl. “She’s comfortable around them, natural-like.”
“She wanna ride?” asked Christopher. With one question, the years seemed to fall from Christopher’s face. Fine lines disappeared and his eyes brightened.
Paige hated to disappoint him. “I don’t have a saddle her size. I left mine at the camp.”
“Wait here.” Christopher hurried up the stairs.
Paige exchanged a questioning look with Addison. She was as curious as Paige.
Less than a minute later Christopher clomped down the stairs, carrying a child’s saddle in his arms. Paige admired the stitching, the dark brown leather, and the overall craftsmanship. The tooling on the leather was obviously done by a master saddler. The SS of Serenity Stables was stamped on the skirt.
“It’s a showpiece.” She ran her hand over the soft seat.
“Thank you.” Christopher’s chest swelled.
“You made this?” Paige asked.
Ducking his head, Christopher nodded. “It’s a miniature of the one I made Kylee. This was supposed to be for Addison’s third birthday, but with the accident, I couldn’t bring myself to give it to her. It would have been a reminder to Cody, and …” He trailed off and looked away.
Paige rested her hand on his shoulder. “It’s the perfect size for her now.”
Christopher nodded once, and Paige got the impression he was having a hard time talking around his emotions.
“I’ve got a blanket in my truck. I’ll be right back.” Paige hurried away to give Christopher time to recover without her hanging around and watching. By the time she got back, he was back to his normal self.
Within minutes, she and Christopher had a saddle and a lead rope on Buttons, who took it all in stride. “He’s a calm one,” noted Christopher.
“I’ve never decided if he’s calm or just plain lazy.” Paige motioned for Addison to come over. “Put your foot in here and swing your leg over the top … Wonderful!”
Addison beamed from on top of Buttons.
Paige handed the lead rope to Christopher. “Would you do the honors?”
For the second time that night, Christopher de-aged right before Paige’s eyes. He blinked several times. “This is her first ride.” He cleared his throat, squared his shoulders, and winked at Addison.
Paige pulled out her phone and captured as many of Addison and Christopher’s smiles as she could as Christopher walked twice around the barnyard. Once, when Buttons stopped to do his business, Addison plugged her nose, and Paige laughed. Badger trotted right alongside the pony, his heavy coat bouncing with each step.
“All right. I think Buttons is ready for bed,” said Christopher.
Addison moaned. “Just one more time?”
Paige considered her request. The pony’s nose was nearly dragging as he plodded along. “Sorry, hon. Buttons is tuckered out.” The pony didn’t travel well, and he was probably still adjusting to his new home. They needed to get him inside, fed, and settled for the night.
The group made their way to Buttons’ stall. “Can I ride Kitty next time?” asked Addison.
Paige was surprised by the request. Addison hadn’t had any exposure to horses, and yet she didn’t exhibit the hesitancy children normally experienced when facing down a thirteen-hundred-pound animal. “You sure?”
Addison’s head bounced up and down.
“I think we can arrange that. Right now Buttons needs to be brushed again, and then we should feed them all.” Paige undid the cinch and slid the saddle off the pony. She turned to hand it to Christopher. “I should work with Annie May, but I’d love to watch you with her instead, since this may be my only chance to observe your techniques—what with her leaving tomorrow. I’d like to pattern after what she’s used to, ya know?”
Christopher took the saddle. “We’ll see about that.”
Paige didn’t understand what he meant. “About the training or her leaving tomorrow?”
“Both.” Christopher made his way to the tack room with the saddle. “I think I’ll leave this in here from now on. It’ll be easier to get to.”
Paige followed on his heels, knowing Addison and Buttons would be fine together for a few minutes. “Christopher, I appreciate the thought, but I made a deal with Mr. Walker and I don’t want to cause problems.”
Christopher tossed the saddle over a saddle stand. Keeping both hands on the leather, he leaned into it. “I could call the stables we use and see if they have room. Annie May would feel right at home. They have an excellent arena and I’m there every day.”
Paige ran through her options. She knew of two stables in the area, but neither one was ideal. If Christopher approved—and Annie May was used to the place—it could be the best option. She just hated the idea of not having them close. How many times a day did she pass through the barn at home and check in? Four? Eight? And every time she went through, Kitty was there to greet her.
She sighed heavily. “I don’t have much of a choice.” She scrubbed her hands up and down her arms. “Thank you. I would appreciate it if you’d see if they have space.”
Badger barked, and Paige stepped out to see Mr. Walker’s car coming up the drive. “Addison!” Paige called. “Time to wash up for dinner.” The words echoed in Paige’s ears. How many times had her mom yelled the phrase time to wash up for dinner in Paige’s lifetime? She shook her head at how easily she had slipped into her mom’s boots.
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Addison came out of the stall just as Mr. Walker’s car pulled into the garage. Addison darted across the packed dirt, and Paige reached for a pitchfork leaning against the wall.
“I’ll feed tonight.” Christopher took the tool.
“I don’t mind.”
Christopher pushed his hat down firmly on his head. “Seein’ that little girl on that saddle did a lot of good for this old heart. Feedin’ is the least I can do.”
Paige impulsively hugged Christopher, not knowing whether he needed it or she did. From the moment she’d seen him at the horse auction, Paige knew he was a good man. His support and willingness to help with Annie May was huge. Some horse trainers didn’t like sharing their techniques. More than once, Paige had been politely told to buzz off when she asked questions. What skills she’d gained had been from books, online videos, and trial and error. “Thank you.”
Christopher patted her back with one plate-sized hand. “Get on with ya before your dinner gets cold.”
Paige jogged to the garage, where she sat on the bench by the door to shed her boots. Christopher was a dear man. While Paige had been discouraged over having to send her stock away, she’d gained an ally and a friend and had seen an old wound stitched up as Christopher led Addison and Buttons around the yard.
She wished Mr. Walker had been there to see the light in Addison’s eyes. Paige would have loved to share that moment with him. She reached for her phone, intending to send him a picture or two. As she scrolled through, she thought better of it. Mr. Walker didn’t like the horses, and he didn’t seem to want Addison near them. The last thing she needed to do was throw Addison’s joy in his face.
Any peace she’d acquired in the barn had ridden away on the evening breeze. Addison needed horses; Paige could see it in her eyes. Yet Mr. Walker was set on keeping them apart.
Paige paused. He was set on keeping the horses off the property—that didn’t mean Paige couldn’t take Addison to the horses. Yet if she did that, Addison was sure to tell her dad. There was just no good way to make it all work out. Paige clenched and unclenched her hands, frustrated that she was stuck between following her instincts and keeping the peace with her new husband. A husband who had provided dinner and waited on the other side of the door for her to share a meal. For tonight, she wouldn’t make waves.
Paige grinned. Tomorrow was another story.
Chapter 19
Later that night, after Cody, Paige, and Addison had consumed an insane amount of orange chicken and fried rice, Cody took advantage of the opportunity to tuck a worn-out and somewhat grouchy Addison in bed.
He leaned over to kiss her head and noted that she smelled of horses and fresh air. She’d talked nonstop about Buttons and brushing him. She even said he’d nodded when she asked if he liked being brushed. Cody listened with patience. He could handle one day of horse excitement from his daughter.
One day only. Addison’s future did not include rodeos or even recreational riding. He made sure to remind her that the horses would be leaving tomorrow.
Paige had been quiet during the meal. She stared at her plate, her eyes unfocused. Cody wasn’t sure how to approach her somber mood, so he didn’t work to draw her out. Though she was obviously upset about the horses leaving, she wasn’t giving him the silent treatment. When their hands touched as they reached for the steamed broccoli at the same time, Paige gasped, unmoving. For Cody, the whole world moved at her touch. He spent the rest of the meal stealing glances at Paige and ducking when she caught him looking.
His awkwardness must have frightened her away, because when he mentioned his desire to tuck Addison in, Paige hightailed it out to the barn and didn’t look back.
Cody kissed Addison’s hair. She’d already turned to her side and fallen asleep before he left the room. He realized he’d left his phone in the car, and headed out to the garage.
The steady thump-thump of a horse’s canter and Paige’s laughter tugged his feet to the edge of the driveway. Cody was just in time to see Paige and Annie May fly across the arena. Christopher threw his arms in the air and yelled, “Yeah!”
Paige laughed again and patted Annie May. “Good girl.” Her voice easily carried over the dirt and concrete between them.
Thrown back a step by Paige’s breathtaking horsemanship and the delightful way her tight jeans tucked into her boots, accentuating her long and lean legs, Cody had to pound his chest to jumpstart his breathing.
“She hesitated around the second barrel.” Christopher leaned against the fence.
“I could feel it,” Paige agreed. She wore a leather hat that looked like it had seen better days, and her hair bounced against her back, changing colors in the fading light.
“Try giving her a little nudge on the inside when she starts to turn.”
“You got it.” Paige’s smile could be seen for miles. “Timer ready?”
The old man was as content as Cody had ever seen him out here working with a horse and rider. “Set,” confirmed Christopher.
Paige nodded, loped Annie May in a circle to get her on the right lead, and then kicked the horse into a run. Cody’s feet moved forward, drawing him closer to Paige and her thundering horse, his heart racing as fast as Annie May’s. “Come on,” he whispered, encouraging the animal to respond as Paige neared the second barrel.
“Hup!” Paige kicked her inside foot just as they started the turn, and Annie May’s backside swung around like it was on a hinge.
Cody’s hand flew out to grab the gate, and he was soon on the inside of the arena. Paige’s hair, still straight and loose, whipped behind her like molten caramel. Her body moved with the horse, anticipating the next turn. They were around the barrel and speeding home before Cody released his breath.
With Cody’s new awareness of life, Paige’s athleticism and grace slammed into his consciousness with the force of a semitruck. Annie May blurred past the timer and Paige pulled back on the reins. The horse danced sideways, still excited by the run.
“This the first time you’ve put her ‘round the barrels?” asked Christopher.
“I walked her through the pattern a couple days ago. She needs to be more familiar with it. I can tell she’s not committed,” answered Paige.
Christopher slapped his hand on his thigh. “For not being committed, she’s quick.”
“How quick?” Paige stood up in the stirrups, leaning forward.
“Sixteen-point-six-seven.”
Paige whooped and sent her hat flying through the air. Christopher, that old grizzly bear, laughed with a joy Cody hadn’t heard in years.
Cody clapped his hands in excitement and hurried over to Paige. “That was amazing!” Grabbing the side of Annie May’s bridle, he rested his other hand on her leg. It felt … right to be here with her. Paige’s joy overflowed, rushing over his skin and drowning him in a bizarre mixture of colors and light. He couldn’t say he’d felt anything quite like it before.
Paige smiled down at him. “She’s amazing.” She leaned down to pat Annie May, her hair brushing Cody’s arm.
Cody lifted his hand from her leg and gently combed his fingers through her locks. Pausing about halfway though, he closed his eyes, relishing the silky texture against his skin.
“Mr. Walker?” breathed Paige.
Cody’s eyes flew open and he found Paige ever so close. Close enough to see the silver flecks in her eyes, feel the warmth of her breath on his lips, and smell the sweet scent of lingering honeysuckle. He tugged gently on her hair, bringing her closer still.
“Cody,” he told her, his eyes dropping to her mouth. “Why don’t you call me Cody?”
Paige moistened her lips. “It’s not professional.”
“No, but it is matrimonial.” He slipped his fingers the rest of the way through her hair, letting it fan out toward the end. “And we are married.”
Paige closed her eyes and sighed. “Cody.”
Cody leaned in, intent on tasting Paige’s kiss.
Annie May snorted,
impatient to run.
The sound brought Cody out of the imaginary world where kissing Paige was as natural as breathing. He stepped back, away from Paige and her joy and away from the horse, reminding himself that Paige wasn’t Kylee. While Paige wore his ring and would mother his child, she could never take Kylee’s place in Cody’s heart.
Hot anger at his lack of self-control surged through his veins. Feeling things was quickly becoming an addiction for Cody, and he needed to rein himself in before he could lose sight of the reason he’d married Paige and claim her attentions for himself.
Without another word, Cody hustled back to the house, where he shut the door on Paige’s contagious happiness, her darn-fast horse, her honeysuckle scent, her satin hair, and any thoughts of a romantic relationship.
Chapter 20
Sunday morning, Paige got up early and snuck outside to feed the horses. She hadn’t slept well, thanks to Mr. Walker’s—Cody’s hands in her hair. Her head still tingled from the experience. As if that wasn’t enough to keep her tossing under the bleached sheets, he’d leaned in for a kiss and she’d met him halfway. Willingly. Wantonly. She’d practically thrown herself off Annie May and into Cody’s arms for one little nip of his lips. Her brilliant imagination had turned the chaste moment into a fantasy of amazingly long kisses full of passion and adoration, which only added to her embarrassment in the golden light of dawn.
Paige put off going inside as long as she could. If she didn’t see Cody, she wouldn’t have to face her embarrassing behavior. Finally, she forced herself to head in. Sunday breakfast wouldn’t make itself, and she was the mom now; it was her job to get everyone going.
After shedding her boots, she slipped into the kitchen to prepare pancakes. She worked quickly, and soon had a mound of wheat pancakes, a bowl of strawberry slices and blueberries, walnuts, whipped cream, butter, and homemade syrup on the table. She wasn’t sure what the Walkers liked on their pancakes, so she put out everything she could think of. As she flipped the flapjacks, she began to feel more comfortable in the kitchen and even in the house. Her confidence grew right along with the pile of pancakes at her elbow.
The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4 Page 12
