Page 57 of Someone to Hold

“You don’t know him.”

“No. But I know you.”

The way he looks at me, I can feel how much that means. Or maybe it’s just how much I want it to mean.

“I know your horse loves you,” I say with a soft smile.

That earns a real laugh, and God, it’s good to hear it.

“Give me a carrot,” I say, propping my crutches against the stall. “And if she bites me, I’m biting you.”

He laughs again. “That sounds like a promise.”

“Hardly,” I mutter, but a shiver runs up my spine.

He takes a carrot from the bag, breaks it in two, then gently places the pieces in my hand.

I stretch my palm out, but as Fancy leans in, I flinch and yank back. The carrot drops tothe dirt.

“Easy there,” Chase says, his voice warm and calming.

He could be talking to the horse or me. Either way, the words seem to settle us both.

“Let’s try again.” He bends down, dusts off the carrots, and returns them to my hand.

“You could just give them to her, you know.”

“Oh no,” he says, grinning. But this time, he wraps his hand around mine and guides it forward.

Fancy’s breath is warm on my skin. Her teeth graze my palm—more tickle than bite—and I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

When I lean back and settle against Chase’s chest, his solid weight grounds me in the moment.

“I did it,” I whisper.

“One more. On your own.”

He places another carrot in my hand, but doesn’t move. He just lowers his arm, as if he trusts me now.

“You can pet her, too,” he says. “Talk to her. She likes it.”

I glance at the horse. “I don’t know if you’ll like me talking to you as much as you like Chase talking to you. I get that.”

Fancy snuffles, then gently takes the carrot from me.

“Good girl,” I murmur. “Thanks for not biting me. And thanks for being sweet to my kids. I don’t want them to be afraid of life the way I’ve been. Maybe that starts with not being afraid of a really nice horse.”

She finishes chewing, then turns away like we’re done here. Chase is watching me with an expression so tender, it makes my heart ache.

“You didn’t even flinch,” he says softly.

“I kind of wanted to.”

He moves closer, and the world narrows to just the two of us. His gaze drops to my mouth, and my breath catches.

I want to lean in, but step back instead.

As much as I want this, I can still hear Luke’s voice in my head,see the hurt in his eyes, and feel the weight of all the things we’re still figuring out.