Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Leo lets go of me and walks to the door. I watch as he shuts it before he turns back to me. “Work can wait.”
Oooh, I like the sound of that.
Chapter 30
HAVEN
The past few days I got to spend with Kristen have been so good. We unpacked all my clothes, had lunch with Mom, and went sightseeing all over the town.
Unfortunately, jet lag is still kicking Kristen’s butt, so she didn’t want to come out with us for lunch today.
It’s fine. While she’s sleeping, I get to spend time with Leo, and when we get back, Kristen and I can hang out again.
When Leo steers the Porsche up a road and I don’t see anything but grass fields, I ask, “Where is this restaurant you’re taking me to?”
He gives me a mischievous smile that has me sitting up straighter. “We’re stopping at a few places before going to lunch.”
What’s he up to?
Fenced enclosures come into view, and when I see horses, my jaw goes slack and my hands fly up to cover my mouth. “Leo!”
He brings the car to a stop, and I throw the door open, jumping out and hurrying toward the nearest enclosure.
“Please tell me we’re here to bid on some of them,” I say, my voice brimming with excitement.
“No.”
My head swings around, my eyebrows drawing together. “Then why are we here?”
The corner of Leo’s mouth lifts. “I already bought all of them.”
“What?” I look back at the enclosures. There are so many horses.
Leo bought them all for me.
I’m hit with an intense wave of gratitude because he saved them, and my chin begins to quiver. I run to my husband and throw myself into his arms, hugging the everloving shit out of him.
My voice is hoarse as I say, “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“It’s a little late, but it’s my wedding gift to you.”
I pull back so I can see his face. “This is the best gift ever. There’s nothing in the world I want more.”
I can see he means it when he says, “I’m glad you’re happy, stellina mia.”
Pulling away from Leo, I walk closer to the nearest horse and carefully reach my hand out. Noticing the horse is male, I say, “Hey, boy.”
I wait for the stallion to sniff my hand before I carefully brush my palm over his neck.
As a tear escapes and rolls over my cheek, the stallion nickers, bumping his head against my hand.
“Yeah, I’m here to take you to a safe place where you can be happy.”
He nickers again, and it feels as if his big black eyes look right into my soul.
I hear engines, and when I glance toward the road, it’s to see vehicles with trailers hooked to them.
Leo comes to stand by my side and places his hand on my lower back. “I’ve arranged for the horses to be transported to stables. Want to see the property?”
I give my husband an incredulous look. “You’re just all kinds of amazing. Yes, I want to see it.”
He takes my hand and leads me back to the Porsche.
The first vehicle comes to a stop, and when I see Massimo climbing out, I wave at him. “Thank you so much for helping out today.”
“You’re welcome.”
While I climb into the passenger seat, Leo stops to exchange words with Massimo. I watch as his right-hand man grins at him while patting him on the shoulder.
I need to invite Massimo and his family over for dinner.
I pull my phone out and make a note in my diary so I don’t forget, then grin at Leo when he slides in behind the steering wheel.
“Thank you so much,” I say as I lift my hand to trail my fingers over the back of his neck.
“Anything for you, principessa.”
He starts the engine, and as we drive to the other property, there’s so much excitement and happiness in my heart, I can’t stop smiling.
When Leo pulls up to a beautiful piece of land, I’m hit with more happiness than I can handle. Tears sneak from my eyes, and I use my fingers to brush them away.
“You okay?” Leo asks.
“It’s so heartwarming and overwhelming to know the horses will be able to live in peace on this property.”
Leo brings the car to a stop near the stables and leans over the console to press a kiss to my temple. “Cazzo, I love your beautiful heart so much.”
We climb out of the Porsche, and a man comes out of the stables to greet us.
“This is Gianni. He’s the caretaker, but he doesn’t speak English,” Leo says before he shakes Gianni’s hand. He introduces us and acts as translator while we greet each other.
They talk for a little bit before Leo leads me into the stables. “I just told him Massimo and the others are coming soon, so he can get things ready.”