Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Grabbing my phone, I head out of my office. Ellison is working from home with her feet propped up, so I’ll go check on her and see if she needs anything. But first, I’m going to swing by the kitchen, say hi to Alice, grab a few carrots, and go see the horses. Outside of my sisters, the horses are what I’ve missed the most.
When I was younger, I fell in love with them, and then even more when my crush on Macklin presented itself. He was always around horses, and that’s probably a big part of the reason I crushed on him. He always seemed larger than life and fearless to be able to get on the back of those bulls.
Teenage Baylor would have been freaking out if she were locked in an embrace with Macklin McBride like I was last Sunday night. If I close my eyes, I can still feel his calloused hands as he traced small patterns on my back. This, of course, was after he tickled me where I almost pissed my pants.
Macklin is a flirt, always has been, at least where I’m concerned. I went off to college, and my crush faded. Then I moved to New York, met Todd, and, well, now here I am. I may not have my old teenage crush, but I’m also not blind. Macklin is sexy, and even though I know he was just flirting, it’s hard not to wonder what my life might have looked like had I stayed here in Magnolia Ridge. Would I have ended up with a man like him? Charming, sexy, and everything the old me thought I needed to run from?
“There she is,” Alice says as soon as I step into the kitchen.
My grin is immediate. “Hey, Alice. Something smells good,” I tell her.
“I’m making potato soup and grilled cheese for lunch. I have apple fritters for dessert. You want one now?”
“Tempting, but no. I came for a few carrots.”
“Ah, going to visit the horses.” She smiles kindly. “There’s a bunch that was just delivered with our order this morning. Help yourself.” She nods to the crates of produce.
“I don’t want to leave you short,” I tell her.
She shakes her head and grins. “Girl, I knew you were home, and you’d be sneaking in here. I ordered extra. Go on, grab yourself a bunch, and don’t forget your coat,” she says, before turning to get back to work on stirring the soup.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, my voice cracking. Alice has worked here for as long as I can remember, and I’ve missed her. Apparently, I was more homesick than I thought.
Rushing back to my office, I slip into my coat to ward off the chilly Tennessee December winds and rush outside to the stables with my bundle of carrots in hand. I’ve been out here to visit every day since I’ve been back—well, minus the first couple of days. That was a busy weekend. But every day since last Monday, I’ve been to the stables to visit, and it’s been good for my soul.
Pulling open the door, I step inside and move toward the first stall. “Hey, there, Buckwheat,” I say calmly, and the light tan with dark brown mane horse comes trotting over. “I missed you, boy.” I rub my hand over his mane. Buckwheat is a gelding, which means he’s been fixed, and he’s one of the gentlest trail horses we have on the estate. He was ours when we were kids.
He sniffs toward the carrots, trying to grab one, and I laugh, pulling them out of his reach. “You have to be good if you want a treat.”
“I’ll be good,” a deep timbre says from behind me. I startle and whip around so fast that I lose my balance, and Macklin rushes to catch me, bracing his hands on my hips from behind.
“Easy, sweetheart,” he says, his voice low and husky, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
“You scared me,” I say, stepping forward and out of his hold. I pull in a deep breath and slowly exhale before turning to face him.
“I didn’t mean to. I was just coming to check on the horses. We have a ride scheduled this afternoon.”
“That’s right. You’re managing the stables. I’ve been out here every day and haven’t seen you.” My words almost sound like an accusation, but it’s not. I mean, I don’t need to know his schedule or anything.
“I usually come out early in the mornings, muck the stalls, and get them food and water before going back to my place to do the same.”
“You still have horses at your place?”
He nods. “Yeah, I’ve been doing some training. That’s kind of my side hustle, I guess, outside of managing the stables here. All of these horses are mine. Well, except for this guy. He’s always been yours.”