Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Get dressed,” he says without turning around. “We have somewhere to be.”
I sit up in bed, pulling the blanket around myself. How long has he been awake? Now that I think about it, he is usually up before me. “Where?”
“You’ll see.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m following him down a path, winding through pine trees and over rocky terrain. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of earth and pine sap. Birds call to each other overhead.
Then I see the horse, and my stomach drops. “Where did that come from?
“I brought Storm up from the main house while you were sleeping. Don’t worry, he’s not staying, but we’re going to take a little ride.”
“No,” I say, stopping dead in my tracks.
Calder keeps walking. “Yes.”
“I don’t ride.”
“You’re going to learn.” He tugs the reins off a hitching post built into the forest’s edge.
“Storm will take care of you, as a beginner, because he takes care of me. I’ll be riding with you.”
“I’m not a beginner. I’m a non-rider.” My voice comes out sharper than intended, edged with the panic rising in my throat. “Last time I rode a horse, I fell. I don’t—I can’t—”
“You were seventeen,” he interrupts.
“Great, then you understand why I’m not doing this.”
“Not exactly. I understand why you’re scared.” He leads Storm toward me.
The horse follows obediently, hooves thudding softly on the packed earth. “Avoiding something or not doing it doesn’t make it go away.”
“I don’t want it to go away. I have no issues going through the rest of my life without riding a horse.”
“Come on, Saint. I know you think being afraid of something protects you from it, but it doesn’t. To never face your fears simply because they scare you makes you weak.” He stops a few feet away.
Weak? It feels like he’s slapped me. “I’m not weak.”
“Are you sure?” He grins, and I know he’s goading me. “Prove it.” He gestures to the horse. “Come here. Let him smell you.”
Instinct tells me to stay where I am or, better yet, to turn around and walk back to the cabin. I don’t. I can’t. Not when it feels like he’s challenging me. Gritting my teeth, I swallow my fear and approach the horse slowly, trying to hide the trembling in my hands.
Once I’m closer, Storm’s nostrils flare as he takes in my scent. One wrong move and I’ll find myself on the ground again or, worse, with another broken limb.
“Hold out your hand,” he instructs. “Palm flat.”
I do as he says, hesitating slightly. Storm exhales, giving his head a slight shake, and I jump back, startled by the movement.
Calder chuckles softly, and I shoot him a glare. “Relax, Saint. Horses do that when they’re relaxed. He’s excited to meet you.”
At least one of us is relaxed.
I try again, and this time, he extends his neck, his velvet nose brushing my palm. The touch is surprisingly soft and warm.
“Hi, Storm,” I whisper in greeting without really realizing it.
He snuffles gently, then pulls back, apparently satisfied with his inspection.
“See, I told you. He likes you.” Calder’s warm breath fans against my ear, and I whip around to find him standing beside me.
“You’re just saying that,” I murmur, trying to ignore the proximity of his body to mine, and the warmth radiating off him.
“No, I’m not. Just trust me, okay?”
“Trust you?” I huff.
“I know it seems ridiculous, but we’re married now, and you’re entering a new world. You need my guidance and support. So yes, trust me.”
As infuriating as it is, I know he’s right. If I’m going to survive this, then I’ll have to put my trust in the man who put me in this situation to begin with.
“Fine,” I begrudgingly agree.
Calder smirks as if he’s won some competition. “Touch him, pet him. He won’t bite.”
Lifting a shaking hand to Storm’s neck, I gently stroke his coat. The horse doesn’t move, thankfully. He just stands there patiently waiting while I explore.
“Good girl,” Calder murmurs. “You’re doing a wonderful job.”
The effect his praise has on me is something I don’t want to examine just yet. With a calming breath, I steady my hand.
“Funny enough, horses used to be my favorite animal,” I admit, smiling at the reminder. “I’d beg my mom to take me to see them every Sunday after church. We’d pet them, and sometimes she’d let me ride them while she held the lead rope.” The memory of those moments with her feels so fresh in my mind.
Calder moves to Storm’s other side and checks his hooves with quick efficiency, then circles back around.
“I want you to feel that way again,” he whispers against my hair.
I hate the warmth that fills my chest when we talk about things, when I see the side of him that’s human and all man. Because it makes seeing him as the monster, the villain in all of this, that much harder.