Page 47 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Colt

L ast night, after we got home, I kissed Daisy goodnight outside in my truck. My dad was home in bed when we got back. The realization that summer is over hit me hard as I lay in bed, and I knew I wasn’t ready for the next morning.

The sun peeked over the horizon and cast a golden glow across the ranch.

I was out on the porch, leaning against the wooden railing with a coffee in my hand.

I needed some time to myself while my dad was off with the cattle.

I looked out at the fields, the world just beginning to wake up.

The sounds of nature around me filled the air, but it couldn’t take away my thoughts.

They were heavy as I thought about Daisy and how quickly our time together had slipped away, leaving nothing but sweet memories that played out in my mind.

I knew Daisy was only supposed to be here for the summer, but with how things have played out the past couple of months, I was hoping it wouldn’t end here.

We talked a little about it, but nothing completely concrete.

We both had been living in the moment and enjoying each second that we spent together.

Now, though, Daisy had to leave to go back to Dallas.

The thought twisted in my gut, and I felt sick.

I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that filled me.

We had a romantic time at John’s at our picnic, and just last night, we shared a moment in the bar.

It was the perfect reminder of that first moment we truly gave in to temptation and let ourselves give in to each other.

We have shared more laughter, secrets, and kisses that have lit a fire within me that I haven’t felt since the two of us were kids and spending as much time as we could with each other.

The reality of distance loomed over me like a dark cloud. I took another sip of my coffee, letting the warmth seep into me. Although nothing could create the heat I felt when I was around Daisy.

Leaning against the wooden railing, I replayed moments from this summer that we shared in my head.

I thought about riding horses together, taking her out in my truck, going to the bar, dancing, the picnic, swimming together…

so many memories were made that changed our relationship and that let our once strongfriendship blossom into something more.

I thought about the way her laughter echoed in my ears, the way her smile brought me joy, the way her eyes sparkled in the light, and the way her lips were so soft against mine.

I smiled, thinking about all the kisses we shared, especially that first one outside the bar against my truck.

It was the best kiss I've ever had, and it made me want her even more than I did when we were younger.

That night felt like a dream; it was perfect.

But dreams have a way of colliding with reality, and the reality is that Daisy has her place and job in Dallas.

She has a life there, and who would I be to ask her to give it up?

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. I set the coffee cup on the wooden railing and took off my hat, then ran my other hand through my hair.

I heard the creaking of the wooden boards under me and turned to see Daisy coming out to join me.

Her hair caught in the morning light, and after all this time, she was still taking my breath away.

She is beautiful. She is stunning. I looked her over and saw the sadness in her eyes.

Maybe this was weighing as heavily on her as it was on me.

“Hey.” She spoke softly.

“Hey.” I forced a smile, not sure what to say. “Sleep well?”

“Not really. A lot on my mind. You?”

“Same thing.”

“I kept thinking about today and leaving.”

“Me, too. It’s going to be tough without you around. This summer went by too fast, didn’t it?”

“It did.” She waited a minute and spoke again. “Colt, can we talk?”

“Yes, of course.” My heart was racing with anticipation. I was curious about what she was going to say. I wanted her to stay, but I wanted it to be her decision. We moved over to the rocking chairs on the porch, sitting down.

“I know we haven’t been together that long, but we have a history, and what we have is real. Do you agree?”

“I do."

“I want you to come clean to your dad about us.” That thought shook me, making me anxious.

“You want me to tell him that we’ve been seeing each other, keeping it a secret from him?”

“Yes, Colt, I do. He deserves to know.”

“What if he doesn’t take it well?”

“Then we will figure it out if we get there. He might surprise you. My dad told you that your dad was protecting you from getting hurt. He might surprise you with his reaction. He may understand, Colt.”

“You think?” She nodded her head.

“After that, we can talk and figure out where to go from here.” I didn’t speak.

I wasn’t sure how to even go about starting this conversation with my dad.

“It’s up to you to show him that you’re serious about us.

It’s up to you to tell him. I’m not going to make you or pressure you. It all relies on you now.”

“Okay.”

She walked back inside, and I turned to see a couple of bags sitting by the door.

She has already packed her stuff, ready to go.

Why would I go and tell my dad if she was going to leave anyway?

It would only show my dad that he was right after all for telling me to promise him that this summer would just be work, and nothing more, between Daisy and me.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted Daisy and I didn’t want this to end. Her words felt like she might want to stay, but there was still question about that seeing her bags already packed and at the door. I didn’t ask her what she wanted. Maybe that was my mistake.