Page 155 of Beautiful Trauma

“Go for it,” I replied with a grin.

As she started for the house, I went to the back of the barn where Jamey, the caretaker was. “It’s good to see you,” he said.

“It’s good to be here.”

“I was just about to saddle Lightning up to get some exercise. Would you like to take him?”

Although the voice of reason in my head told me absolutely not, I said, “I would love to.”

When I trotted up to the porch, Mila rose out of her rocking chair. Her expression darkened as she came walking up to me. “I know you’re not seriously on a horse right now.”

“The doctor didn’t say anything about riding,” I argued.

“I’m pretty sure he didn’t think he would have to. He trusted you would be smart enough not to do something so reckless.”

“I’d argue that riding with you was just as reckless.”

“Ass,” she muttered.

With a grin, I said, “For your information, I didn’t pull myself up into the saddle.”

“Don’t tell me you levitated to get up there?”

I laughed. “No, I climbed up on the fence.”

Rolling her eyes, Mila replied, “Of course you did.”

“It was better than straining to pull myself up.”

“I’m sure that will make so much difference to your healing body.”

“While I appreciate your concern, I’ll deal with the repercussions."

“You’re impossible.”

With a wave of a hand, I said, “Come with me.”

“Oh no. Don’t drag me into this.”

“We won’t go far.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Mila countered, “Kellan, you’re supposed to be recuperating. If I get on that horse with you, I’m knowingly aiding you in hurting yourself.”

With a wink, I said, “Some things are worth the pain.”

Mila stared at me for a moment before flicking her gaze to Lightning. “Does he spook easily?”

“No. He’s ridiculously calm.”

Throwing up her hands in defeat, Mila muttered, “Fine.” When I held out my hand to help pull her up, she replied, “Hell no.”

“The fence?” I suggested.

She nodded before breaking into a jog. Lightning and I followed behind her. After climbing up on the fence, Mila waited for me to ease Lightning up to where she could climb on.

Instead of climbing in behind me, she sat in front of me. I then flicked the reins, and we were off. “This is so beautiful,” she mused.

“The view from back here is just as nice.”