Page 36 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Daisy

W e pulled back up to the house and all the thoughts that had been clouding my mind on the drive washed away.

I looked at thebeautiful colors in the sky that the setting sun was creating as I stepped out of the truck.

Colt had opened the door for me, just as he always has.

Again, he is a gentleman. Some would say a lost art.

Colt followed behind me as we made our way to the house and opened the door for me.

I looked down, taking in his backside, and I let my inner thoughts win.

“Hey!”

“Sorry, cowboy. I just couldn’t help myself.” I really couldn’t. It was like a reflex, and it happened so quickly that there was no stopping me. I smacked him right on the butt with my hand, just playing around.

“Darlin’, are you admitting you’ve been checking out my butt?” I grinned and bit down on my lip. Of course, I was teasing him. It was fun to mess around with him like this, and his reactions always made it better.

“Sure am.” He pulled me inside and pushed me against the back of the door.

I looked into his eyes as he towered over me, and all those thoughts about our future rushed back.

This felt like a small glimpse into what afuture with Colt would look like.

Finally, he placed a kiss on my lips. It was a soft, warm kiss that made me feel comforted and safe.

“Let’s get cleaned up.” I messed up his hair and nodded, then went down the hallway to my room.

I could hear his footsteps behind me, stopping before I made it to my room.

“I’ll hop in the shower first so I can go work on supper!

” I knew his footsteps had ceased at his door.

I was already inside my room and couldn’t see him, but I could hear his words.

I sat on the floor in front of my bed, sprawling my legs out in front of me. I was worn out. A day of swimming always did that to me. I raked my hand across my forehead and pushed my hair out of my face.

There were so many thoughts running through my mind, but I knew that I was in no shape to think about them at this moment. I was too exhausted and hungry. I sat there and peeked at my door.

“Hey! I’m out now. You can go ahead!” I stepped out to let him know I heard what he said, and I couldn’t believe the sigh in front of me. Colt was standing there with only a towel wrapped around him. I swallowed hard.

He was breathtaking.

I could see his muscles, clear as day.

His longer hair dripped down his neck, lying on his head.

I turned and went into the bathroom, shaking my head at what I had just seen.

Colt knows me.

He makes me smile and laugh, just like when we were kids.

He makes me excited for the days to come.

He makes me see the future .

He calls me out on my crap, which no one else has ever done.

He is everything.

“Smells amazing in here.”

I stepped out with a T-shirt, shorts, and a messy bun. I was going for comfort, even if Colt was preparing a meal for us. I knew he wouldn’t mind what I waswearing, as long as I was there.

“Thank you. I’m not finished just yet.” I glanced over at him, stirring something on the stove.

“No worries. Don’t get your panties in a wad, cowboy. I can wait.” I took some plates down from the cabinet, along with some silverware from the drawer, and set the table. I was hungry, and I would help if it meant I could eat sooner.

“You don’t have to do that. I will get to it.” He was sweet. I liked that he had planned this whole day for us. It made it that much more memorable.

“Nonsense. You’re cooking. The least I can do is set the table.”

I stood at the table, staring at him for a minute.

He had this perfect, muscular, and rugged exterior, but inside, he was soft and gentle.

I walked over to him at the stove and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, laying my head against his back.

I could feel the heat coming off him against my face.

“Hope you’re hungry. Food’s ready.” I had been waiting to hear those words, but now that I was pressed against him, I didn’t want to let go.

I walked over to the table and had a seat while Colt brought all the food over.

“One more thing.” I saw steak, baked potatoes, and green beans.

I wasn’t sure what could possibly be missing.

The food smelled amazing, and there was plenty for the two of us.

I watched as he returned from the living room holding a candle.

He walked over to the fridge and brought back a lighter .

“Look at you pulling out all the stops. Colt Hogan trying to be romantic?”He nodded, and I was sure my face was about to get stuck from the big smile plastered on it.

Colt had really pulled out all the stops for this alone time together, and I couldn’t be more grateful. He really surprised me today.

We started eating. The aroma from the food made my mouth water. It tasted just as good as it looked, which was saying a lot. I have never had anyone cook for me before besides my parents, so this was new. I glanced over at Colt a few times and caught him already looking at me from across the table.

Colt’s muscles showed through his tight T-shirt, and I thought back to his shirtless body at the river. Colt took my breath away in more ways than one.

He reached over to the chair beside him and pulled it out. When he raised his arm back up, he laid something down on the table between us. I looked at it, believing that my eyes were playing tricks on me. It couldn’t be.

“My journal?” He nodded. “How do you have it?” I haven’t seen this journal since I was sixteen. How did Colt possess it now?

“I found it after you moved away. I needed some space to be alone for a bit, so I went up into the tree house. I saw it there and picked it up.” I wonder why he needed space then.

I wonder what was going on in life that he needed time to be away.

I remember us playing up there as kids. It always felt like a safe place for us. We shared countless stories in it.

“I thought I had lost it.” He handed it to me, and the realization set in that if Colt had my journal, he might have opened it.

And if he had, then he may have read parts of it.

I had written so many personal things in it- things about Colt, the way he looked, memories of us spending time together, and my feelings for him.

I was horrified to find out, but I needed to know.

“Did you read it?” His face carried a mischievous grin. I wanted to be mad at him, but I couldn’t be. I probably would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.

“You mention several times wanting to wear the cowboy hat.” My cheeks were surely pink. I took the journal and covered the bottom half of my face with it. “You know what they say about that, don’t you?”

“What’s that, cowboy?” There was no telling what Colt was about to say. I was both nervous and scared.

“If you wear the hat, you ride the cowboy.” I’m sure my cheeks turned a darker shade of pink. I knew exactly what he was referring to.

“I’ve heard that before.”

“So?” I raised an eyebrow at his question, not going to give in.

“I’ve not worn your cowboy hat yet.”

“Well, we can fix that.” He rose from the table, taking a hand to lift his cowboy hat off his head. I pushed my hand out, stopping him. “There’s plenty of spots here on the ranch that I think could be christened.” He winked. I was going to stand my ground. Not yet. I wasn’t ready just yet.

“Maybe we could do that at one point.”

“Check the page that’s bookmarked.” I looked down and then back up at Colt. At first glance, I remembered what I had written about. He nodded. I felt weird reading through my journal after all these years, but I opened the page anyway.

——————

I saw Colt again today. We went swimming. And I am here to admit that I am seeing Colt in a different light.

His laugh.

His smile.

The way his eyes sparkle in the sun.

The way he listens to me and clings to every word that leaves my lips.

We made the most of today and had a lot of fun. I enjoy every moment being with him. Every interaction throughout the day made my feelings grow stronger, but I wasn’t ready to tell him.

Our connection is still growing, and all I want is to know if he feels the way I do.

He asked me if we would always come here, and I told him I hope so. That spot is special. Being with Colt is special. I want to keep doing things with Colt that we have always done. I always want to be in his life.

The last thing I told him was that I couldn’t imagine summer without him, and that is true.

——————

I glanced up at Colt, who took the last bite of his food. He smiled at me, and I smiled back.

“Looks we ended up spending summers without each other.” I nodded, my eyes swelling with tears.

It was my fault we had lost touch.

It was my fault we had lost our friendship.

It was my fault we had stopped making memories with each other.

It was my fault for leaving.

It was my fault for never visiting.

I had no one to blame but myself.

Colt stood up from his seat and walked to me. He knelt beside me, placing a hand on my leg. He took his other hand and lifted my head with my chin.

“Daisy, it’s alright. I don’t want you to cry. It was never my intention to make you upset by giving your journal back.”

“I know.”

“Why are you crying?” He wiped the tears from my face with his thumb.

“Because it’s my fault.”

“What’s your fault?”

“Why did we spend all those years separated and never see each other. That is my fault.” I wiped my tears. “I’m sorry.”

“Daisy, it’s okay.” I leaned into him, laying my head on his chest. “You needed time and space. I understand. You don’t have to apologize to me for how you needed to heal. We all deal with things our own way. It’s okay.”

I sniffed. How could Colt be so understanding? He was so patient with me, and it is all I could ever ask for.

“So, you read it all?”

“Every word.” I looked down at the journal, realizing just how many memories it must hold.

I used to write in this all the time. It saw me cry and smile.

Colt took it from my hands, flipping it to another page.

“I’ve had a really nice time with you today, darlin’, but I am worn out.

I will see you in the morning. Don’t worry about the dishes.

I will get them in the morning.” He handed me the journal.

I gripped it a little tighter as he placed a kiss on my forehead.

It was different than our usual kisses, but everything Colt did was meticulous.

That kiss was what I needed right now. I needed that gentleness.

I watched as Colt walked down the hall to his room.

I looked down at the page, rubbing my finger across it, then read through the entry.

——————

Colt and I went riding in his truck today. He has taken me for a few rides in it, and I know how much that truck means to him. It was his grandfather's after all. Colt is sentimental about things like that.

He took me out to see the sunset again. He has no idea how special that place is to me. He has no idea what kind of hold he has on me.

He could ask me to do anything for him, and I would. Of course, I would make it a challenge for him, but nevertheless, I would end up doing it.

Colt told me that he loved spending time with me.

Does that mean he likes me?

Does he have feelings for me?

I don’t know if he does or not, and I am so afraid that asking him could ruin our friendship.

I can’t lose Colt.

I will do whatever it takes to always fight for our friendship.

I need him around.

When I left the ranch to go home today, I gave Colt a hug and said goodbye.

As he walked into the house, I whispered, ‘I love you.’

Maybe one day I will hear those words leave his perfect lips.

——————