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Another part likes the sense of anticipation that comes with not knowing what will happen next. It’s edging at its finest.

By the time we get down to business, I’m going to be a hot, bothered mess.

I rock my hips in the saddle, my center aching for friction. “That’ll just about empty out my bank account. But since I’m gonna win, I guess I don’t need to worry about that, do I?”

Wyatt settles his ass back in the saddle and smirks. “You talk a strong game, Sunshine. First one to the fence in the south pasture?”

I look at him. He looks back. His blue eyes are piercing this morning, bright with laughter.

Laughter and lust. Because I know what lust looks like on him now. The tic of his jaw. The hard, fiery gleam in his eyes and the way they flick to my mouth.

“I’ll take that fifty, cowboy.”

Without waiting for a reply, I dig my heels into Penny’s sides. She takes off at a sprint, my body rolling in time to herstrong, even strides. The pounding of her hooves reverberates up my sides, a tickle that has me smiling like a lunatic as we rip past the corral and head out to the open pasture.

“You no-good cheater!” Wyatt calls behind me.

The breeze howls in my ears, the air cool and fresh. My hair flies everywhere, but I don’t care. Heart thundering inside my chest, I feel the warmth of the sun seep through my clothes and into my skin. The familiar smells of sunbaked earth and leather fill my head.

For a second, I close my eyes and revel in the awesomeness of it all. There’s nothing like it in the world. Upstate New York is beautiful in its own way, but there aren’t wide-open spaces like this that invite you to ride like the devil just because you can. The sun also doesn’t shine nearly as bright up there, especially this late in the year.

I also have virtually no free time at Ithaca University because I’m always, always working. When was the last time I rode for pleasure like this? Nowhere to be, nothing to do. Just me and my horse.

And my very,verysexy best friend. I glance over my shoulder at the thunder of more hooves, and I let out a yell when I see Wyatt quickly gaining ground.

I don’t ride as often now as I did when we were younger, but I can still give Wyatt a run for his money. Literally, in this case.

Firming my grip on the reins, I guide Penny faster, faster still. She moves smoothly, her glossy mane glinting in the sun, and I can tell by the way she keeps her head held high that she’s enjoying this even more than I am.

Isn’t this the whole point of what I do?I perform surgery so animals like Penny can run wild and free, just like she is now. It’s what she was born to do.

Maybe I was born to be wild and free too. Maybe we all are, every living thing.

That’s paradoxically easy to forget when all you do is tryto fix the world and the living things in it, but you never get to enjoy any of it.

“That’s it, Penny. Let’s kick some cowboy ass.”

But Wyatt catches up to us. “Cheaters never win!”

“Call my bluff then!”

“That makes no sense!”

“I know!”

“You were supposed to be my best student!”

“Maybe you’re not such a good teacher!”

“Don’t make me get out the ruler!”

“I wish you would!”

I’m laughing. We both are. I’m gripped by the crazy idea that I’ve never been this happy. Wyatt brings out the kid in me, and I guess I forgot what that feels like.

It feels like freedom and joy and possibility.

Wyatt takes the lead, his horse kicking up dust as they take off. I’m able to see just how good my friend looks in the saddle. He rides with a confidence that makes my blood rush hot. One hand on the reins, the other held out to the side, he’s all cowboy cockiness in his hat and his jean jacket and the blue bandana he wears to keep the dust out of his mouth.