Page 13 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Colt

I closed the door softly behind me, not wanting to wake my dad.

I wasn’t ready to deal with any of that right now.

The only thing interrupting the peace and quiet of the house was the soft touches of her shoes against the floor.

I stopped at Daisy’s bedroom door, taking a deep breath in and wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug.

I could feel her warmth, and the last thing I wanted was to leave her, but I knew I had to.

I had to figure out what to do now, remembering what I had said to my dad before she came here.

I pushed that thought to the side for the moment, keeping the smile on my face.

I looked down at her, kissing her on the forehead.

“Goodnight, Daisy.”

“Goodnight, cowboy.” She had the tip of her thumb in her mouth, flirting with me, and smiling back. I had missed her calling me that. She always did when we were younger, and it was always my favorite nickname. It sounded even sweeter coming from her lips.

I made my way to the bathroom, making sure the door didn’t make a sound and turning on the shower.

The sound of the water hitting the tiles reminded me of the rhythm of the horse’s hooves against the earth.

The steam began to rise, filling the small space.

I stepped under the water flowing down and let it hit my face.

I brushed my hair back out of my eyes, using both hands to do so.

I had taken a shower before heading out with Daisy this evening, but taking a nice, hot shower was what I needed right now.

Once I finished, I wrapped a towel around my waist and stared into the mirror, my hands pressed against the sink.

My mind was still spinning from the bar and all the little moments Daisy and I shared tonight.

I thought about the way her eyes glowed in the bar lights, the way her laugh was infectious, and the way her smile nearly made me melt.

I also thought about her body and how that dress she wore tonight was heavenly, how her lips tasted, and how her body seemed to fit perfectly wrapped up in mine.

I could still smell her perfume and taste her sweetness, mixed with the warmth of her breath against my skin.

When we touched, it was like something had been missing all my life, and I had finally found it.

The promise I made to my dad, though, was still in my mind, a weight I couldn’t shake off.

He told me Daisy was off limits before she came here, and I was okay with that.

I told him he had nothing to worry about.

I hadn’t been on a date in a long time, so I wasn’t concerned.

Besides, Daisy and I had been friends years ago, but we hadn’t spoken to each other in so long.

I didn't expect anything to happen. Boy, was I wrong. I swore I wouldn’t touch her or let things become anything more than her spending the summer here to learn hard work, per her dad’s request. I made the promise out of respect, and yet every time I closed my eyes, I could see Daisy.

I couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like lying in bed in the room just across the hall.

I wondered what she was wearing, if she snored, if she was a heavy sleeper or not…

I wondered if I could hold on to thepromise I made.

The night ha d been electric and captivating, and I felt a pull toward Daisy that was so hard to resist. Deep down, I knew I would have to stay true to my word, keeping my feelings hidden deep inside, a familiar feeling for me from years gone by.

I would have to do it, but hurting Daisy was the last thing I thought I would ever do.

Lying in bed, my mind wandered to what the woman in the room across from me was thinking, and how times used to be with us.

? ? ?

I could hear her laughter, a constant state for us. It always brought a smile to my face hearing her laugh. We spent so many afternoons chasing each other, playing hide and seek. She was ten and I was twelve one summer, playing out toward the barn.

“Come on, slowpoke!” I ran after Daisy, almost running over her when I finally caught up.

“Okay. Now what?” Daisy pointed to a tree.

“I dare you to climb the highest branch of that oak."

“I don’t know, Daisy.” I looked up, seeing how tall the tree was. “It looks pretty high. I don’t think that would be safe.”

“Safe? Colt, when did you ever skip out on something because it wasn’t safe?” She was right, but that still didn’t take away my fear and hesitation. Out of the two of us, though, she was the daredevil.

I looked at her- those big, brown eyes glowing in the sunlight, sparking with mischief- and I couldn’t back down.

I couldn’t let her down. Not this girl. I wedged my foot between a forked spot in the tree, using a branch to pull myself up.

I climbed higher than I ever thought I could, and when I reached the top, I looked down and for a moment thought I saw an angel.

Daisy was there, cheering me on, her hair blowing in the wind.

She was the prettiest thing I had ever seen.

She had a way of making me feel invincible, and I had never felt it as much as I did at this moment.

With Daisy by my side, I could be brave and do anything.

It wasn’t just the adventures that defined our childhood; it was the bond that we shared.

Daisy and I would sit under the stars countless nights after dinner while our parents talked or sat on the porch, sharing our secrets and dreams. I believed, in those moments, that we would always be there for each other.

In my life is where I always wanted her to be.

? ? ?

The innocence of our time together as kids felt like a lifetime ago, yet the memories were still so vivid, etched into my heart.

I didn’t want to hurt Daisy. I didn’t want to hurt my dad either.

I could feel the weight of the heavy decision.

There was so much turmoil in my heart; both sides were fighting, both ready for battle.

The moonlight seeped through the curtains, casting shadows in the room, but instead of falling asleep in preparation for the early morning ahead of me, I was faced with so many thoughts racing through my mind.

My heart kept telling me I had to choose.

On one side, I saw Daisy. She was sitting on thetailgate of my truck, laughing.

Another image came to mind; this time, she was in the barn brushing the horses.

I saw her riding horses with me, her hair blowing in the breeze, and I saw her riding beside me in my truck, her skin on mine, and the prettiest smile I ever saw on her face.

She was like a piece of art, every curve and contour told a story that captivated me, making me want to look every inch of her over.

She had a strong presence around her, making anywhere she went full of life.

Every glance at her left something else to be admired.

She was a dream, and I didn’t want to let this dream go.

On the other side, I saw my dad. I saw moments of him talking with and dancing with my mom- all the good times they shared.

I saw him working around the ranch day after day, and I followed him around ever since I could walk because I wanted to be just like him.

I wanted to run this ranch someday and make him proud.

I heard his stern and unwavering voice. I heard myself speaking to him, promising him he had nothing to worry about, that there wouldn’t be anything between me and his best friend’s daughter. We were in the past, after all.

But now, what if Daisy could be my future?

I rolled over in the bed, facing the windows.

‘Am I going to hurt her?’ I whispered. It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.

I rolled over again, this time spreading my arm out, realizing how much space was on the other side of me in the bed.

What if something could fill that space… or someone?

I knew I had to make a choice, and the thought of losing Daisy felt like I would be empty once more, just when I was starting to be myself again.

The thought of hurting my dad and going back on my word made me feel like I was letting him and my grandfather down.

Our word was religion around here, and without that, what did we have?

With a sigh, I closed my eyes, trying to quiet the storm within me.

I needed clarity, just a single moment of peace to figure out what to do in this impossiblesituation.

I needed to know what was really in my heart and what I wanted for my future.

I only hoped that whatever was in there, I would have thecourage to follow it and not let fear dictate my path.

If my dad and Daisy had one thing in common, they both taught me to face my fears head-on, no matter how hard it was.