Page 73 of West Bound

“If anyone can pull this off, it’s you three. You’ve got this. I know you do.” Dakota does her best to boost morale.

We'll need all the morale we can get. This particular plan doesn’t have an exit strategy. If we fail, we won’t just lose out on the opportunity to bring the relics home. None of us will ever see this ranch again.

THIRTY

Levi

“Why didn’tyou ever learn to ride? I figured if you lived in the city, it made sense, but your father has a ranch with horses. I can't imagine he didn’t have the money to have someone come out and give you riding lessons.”

“He never let anyone who wasn’t a business partner or security on the property for one.” She gives me a look like I should have guessed that much. “But I saw one of my brothers get bucked when we were young, and I just never wanted to ride after that. When he made me do it anyway, I fell off, and I swore I’d never get on one again after that.”

“Why?” I press, and she gives me a wary look, like her explanation should be plenty. “I mean, we’ve all fallen off. You ride horses enough, it happens. Was it that bad, or it just stuck with you?”

“Both. My brother broke his arm and a few of his ribs. Our father was furious because the horse got hurt as well, and it was one he’d spent a lot of money on. When I fell, I didn’t get hurtthat badly, but I wasn’t in good enough shape to get back on right away either. He just left me there to fend for myself.”

“Left you? What the fuck?” I’m sick at the thought of a smaller version of her hurt and crying with no one to help. “Did someone help?”

“That's just how he was. I got help eventually.” She shakes her head. “All that, and I just always thought horses were intimidating. Beautiful, majestic creatures and all that—don’t get me wrong. I loved watching them run from a distance. But up close? Terrified,” she explains as we make our way down the gravel path from the parking lot to the stable.

“Well, you don’t need to be scared of these horses. A lot of them are trail horses Hazel has for the guests, so they're as patient and steady as they come.”

“They’re still huge,” she remarks as we reach the door, and she sees a few of them.

“Nothing you can’t handle. I promise. We’re just here to give them some treats and let you see them up close.”

“No riding today?”

“No riding. Just visiting. I’ll let Dakota give you some lessons. She and Hazel are horse obsessed, and she’ll walk you through everything better than I could.” I reassure her.

“So she’s a horse apologist, is what you’re saying?” Zephyrine gives me the side-eye.

“I swear if you give them a chance, you might like them.”

“Kind of like you?”

“Kind of like me.” I smile at her.

Fuck, I wish I'd met this woman under different circumstances. When we were young and carefree. Before things had hardened us and made us so jaded. Just being around her now makes me feel like I can breathe again.

“All right. Let’s do this then. Which one am I trying not to be scared of today?”

“I was thinking Teddy. He got that name cause he’s a big old teddy bear.”

“Teddy,” she repeats the name like saying it will help her suss out his character. “Which one is he?”

“The brown Quarter Horse over there in stall three.” I nudge her on, but when she drags her feet, I slide my palm down the inside of her forearm and press my fingers into her palm until she takes my hand. “Come on. You can stay out of his reach until you’re comfortable.”

“Okay…” She sounds doubtful.

“Kell, you got any carrots out here?”

“Yeah. I got a few in that bucket.” He nods to one hanging off one of the hooks, and I snag a few on our way to stall three.

Teddy’s eyes light when he sees people approach. He’s friendly as all hell, and he’s immediately curious about the redhead holding my right hand, but even more excited about the treat in my left.

“Hey, buddy. How are you doing today?” I step forward, still holding Zephyrine’s hand while she stays rooted in place. Teddy greets me with a happy little sound and a nuzzle of the hand that holds the carrots. “You want a treat, buddy?” I hold one out for him, and he takes it.

“He’s pretty.” Zephyrine’s face lights up, and if she’s scared of him, you can’t tell it by looking at her right now.