Page 62 of Close Match

“Did you just have an entire conversation with yourself about whether or not you’d be able to play the part of a man and then rule it out because you wouldn’t be able to sing?”

“So? People talk to themselves all the time,” I defend myself.

His lips twitch, but it sets off a chain reaction. I start giggling. “It was pretty insane, wasn’t it?”

Casually, he reaches out and tucks a strand of hair off my cheek. “Just a bit. Got anything to tie back your hair?”

“Sure.”

“With you now?”

Confused, I reach for the hair tie on my wrist to show it to him. “Do you need it for your horse or something?”

That must cross some inner threshold he can’t contain. Monty grips the top rail of the fence as he howls.

Bristling, I start to turn away. Quick as a snake, he grabs my elbow over the top of the rail. “Don’t. It’s been too long since I laughed like that. And God knows, I needed it.” Rubbing the inside of my elbow, he says, “Come for a ride with me.”

I shake my head. “I can’t. Remember? I’ve never been on a horse.”

Turning back to face me, his often far-too-serious eyes are smiling. “You can trust me not to let you fall.”

Oh, but if only I could trust myself.Wordlessly, I nod. Stepping back, I look up and down the long rails for a break in the fence to walk to enter the pasture. Monty shakes his head.

“There’s no gate on this side.” He drops the reins. Holding out a hand, he motions me closer. “Put your hands on my shoulders and step on the lower rail. I’ll lift you over.”

“Okay.” Using my lower body strength to push up, soon I’m being swung over by Monty’s strong arms. As I slide down the front of his body, my breath whooshes out of me softly, barely a puff against his chest. I don’t think he notices as he picks up the reins and then quickly guides me to the beautiful horse. Fortunately, he can’t feel what being pressed up against his body did to my heart. Otherwise, there’d be no way I could survive this ride.

Soon, Monty has helped me mount and is swinging up behind me. Clucking softly, the horse beneath me begins to walk. I let out a slight yelp, much to my horror and Monty’s amusement. “Who is our ride today, and can I pet her or him?”

“Her registered name is Crimson Seminole. I call her Hatchet.” I go from thinking what a beautiful name to rocking back against Monty with laughter. His arm tightens around my middle.

“Ha-ha-Hatchet?” And I’ll be damned if the horse’s ears don’t twitch.

Monty’s chin comes to rest on my shoulder as the three of us walk along. “She was a gift from Ev when I graduated from college.”

“I’m confused. She doesn’t look twenty.”

Monty’s chuckles. “She’s only nine. I graduated college while I was still in the Navy,” he explains.

“Oh. That makes more sense, but why do you call her Hatchet?” I twist my head slightly, only to find his face right there.

Oh.

His chiseled lips curve. “I received my degree through the online program from Florida State. Colors are crimson and gold; mascot is the Seminole.”

“That explains her name but…”

“Hatchet comes from the arm motion all FSU fans do at their games.” Monty lets go of me with one arm. As his arm goes up and down like an ax, I begin to cackle. I don’t know how I’m staying upright. When he’s done, his arm settles back around me, making me feel cocooned in safety.

Deciding there’s nothing to lose, I decide to ask what’s been on my mind. “What made you come to work for Ev?”

The quiet clop of Hatchet’s hoofs against the turf is the only sound as Monty struggles to answer me. “You don’t have to answer. I was just wondering,” I rush out.

“It’s not that. I was trying to figure out how to answer.” He doesn’t offer more, and I don’t push.

We go on for a few more minutes before he speaks. “There were a few things Ev needed assistance with. The timing coincided with an incident at work.” I feel the tremor in his body behind me. Instinctively, I do what comes naturally.

I hold on tighter.