Page 51 of His True Mate

He grinned and leaned down to kiss me.

“I feel like you’re issuing me a challenge here.”

I barked out a laugh. Of course he would think that.

“Still want to ride me like a bronco?” he teased no doubt trying to lighten the mood.

“As soon as I can feel my toes again.”

“Hmm, that good?”

“Oh yeah. Um, was it good for you?”

He kissed me again and then stared into my eyes.

“Never better. I didn’t know it would be quite so intense with you.”

“Only me?” I asked, wanting to believe that what we’d just shared was somehow special.

“Only you, Winnie. You’ve ruined me for any other woman so you might as well stick around… forever,” he said.

I smirked and buried my face into his chest so he couldn’t see what his words did to me.

I didn’t know if he was joking or not, but I wanted to believe he was serious, that he wanted me to stay. We’d only known each other for one day, but I could already imagine spending a lifetime with him.

*****

The next morning came bright and early. I didn’t mind. I was used to waking early to care for the animals and do my chores. This was really no different, just a little further to go to get there.

We left the house around six. Clay apologized about a dozen times for it, knowing I didn’t need to be there until seven, but he had a lot of stuff he needed to do and liked to get an early start on his day.

It was fine by me. The only complaint I had was the oatmeal he fixed us for breakfast. I groaned when I saw it. There was no way for him to know just how much I despised the stuff. I didn’t complain though and tried to just be grateful for a hot meal that would stick with me through the day, just as my father would have said.

Much to my surprise though, it wasn’t plain oatmeal like I was used to. Instead, he had put peanut butter and fresh slices of bananas in it. It was much more palatable. If I were honest with myself, I even liked it.

“You can hang out at the barn with me. It’s not a problem,” Clay insisted.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t mind. It’ll give me some time to meet the animals in the stable before Dalton gets here.”

“Just be careful, sweetheart. You don’t have anything to prove with that beast.”

I grit my teeth but didn’t argue. I knew what I was doing with wild horses. But I also suspected that nothing I said or did would make him worry less.

Instead, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and jumped out of his truck.

“Have a good day. I’ll check in around lunchtime and see if you’re free,” he yelled at my retreating back as I headed into the stables.

I waited until I was certain he had left and then I made my way to the corral. I knew Dalton wouldn’t have tried to pin the beast. Sure enough, there he was.

“Hey boy,” I said softly just watching him from the fence.

The horse startled at my voice and started to snort and jump around.

“It’s okay. I’m just going to talk to you this morning and let you get used to my voice. You don’t know it yet but we’re going to be good friends. I’m Winnie. You’re going to need a name too, but I want to get to know you a little better first. We’ll get there.”

I was sure to keep my voice at a soothing tone. The longer I talked the more he began to settle.

“I’m new around here just like you. I’m a little nervous about it too. See, I met my one true mate, and he brought me back here. His name’s Clay. I’m sure you’ll meet him eventually. He seems like a good man but he’s not real happy about me working with you. He’s worried you’ll hurt me, but that’s not going to happen, is it boy?”