Page 35 of Save A Horse

“When you offered to help me out with the cattle…”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry about that. I was quick to run off, and I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Daisy, I understand.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“It’s hard burying my feelings.”

“It’s just as hard for me.” There was more silence. “I want to just reach out and touch you, and sometimes I feel like I’m close to doing that, but then I remember we can’t. Moments likethis, though, make it all worth it.”

“They do.”

“I told you that I would make this the most unforgettable summer for you, and I still promise you that.” I smiled at him. He always kept his promises…well, except the one about nothing happening between the two of us.

“Come here, cowboy.” He moved his horse closer to mine, just close enough so we could reach out and touch each other. Our hands still on the reins, he took one hand and placed it on my leg. He smiled back at me.

“What do you want?”

“You know.” I was teasing him again, and this was becoming one of my favorite things. We leaned toward each other, letting our lips meet. It was a soft kiss, not like the one from last night.

“Happy?”

“Yes, but…”

“But?”

“It’s been a long day.”

“One more?”

“One more.” We leaned toward each other once more and let our lips connect. I was happy. For the first time in a long time, I was happy.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Colt

The sun rose over the ranch. I woke up to thecrowing of the roosters and the faint smells of the world outside. I grabbed breakfast, then slipped on my boots and headed out the door. My dad was already out in the fields. I was falling a little behind this morning. I joined him, helping with some of the morning chores.

“Colt, come over here. I need your help.”

“I got it.” I grabbed the door of the gate, closing it quickly. We had to wrangle the cattle and check on a few that were sick, making sure to give them the required medicine to help them get better.

“I need you to help me with them. They have to be held still so I can inject them. They have to get this medicine to help with their respiratory infections. Come on. We need to get this done so none of them get any sicker.”

“I got it, dad.”

“You ready?”

“Yes.” My dad took the syringe and injected it.

“Easy now, girl.” He gently rubbed her. “Good job. Now, let’s move on to the next one.”

As we worked side by side to give each of the sick cattle their injections, I couldn’t help but think about Daisy. Since she had been back here, I had seen her love for this place blossom again. I understood why she had left and moved to the city. Pain is hard. It is especially harder to face it head-on rather than run away from it. I knew I would do everything in my power to keep my promise to her and make this the most unforgettable summer for her.