“I think she only has four left. The barn was once full. But she’s too old to ride now, she says.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You figured her out pretty well, didn’t you?”
“Remember my super power.”
“Right.” He nudged her. “Well, there are two horses that are hers and I think my Aunt Simone owns the other two and pays to have them, and Grandmother’s, taken care of. She comes out and rides with my cousin Avery.”
“Simone. That’s a beautiful name.”
“She’s French.”
“You said you had a French Aunt.”
“You remember everything don’t you?”
“When it’s important,” she said swinging their hands grandly. “How did your uncle find a French woman?”
“Aunt Simone is my father’s best friend. They grew up together. My father was sent to boarding school outside Paris.”
“That’s why you and your father speak French?”
“Oui,” he said and she laughed.
“Having lived in many different cultures, I would think Paris and Nashville are worlds apart.”
“Especially for her. Have you ever heard of Pierpont Oil?”
She stopped walking and turned her body to his. “Of course.”
“That’s her. She’s the heiress to Pierpont Oil. Actually my cousin is, if she ever chooses it. My aunt and her father had a falling out when she fell in love with my uncle.”
Courtney nodded and they began walking again. “I don’t understand why parents can’t accept when someone wants to be with someone or do something they just can’t control. I mean, what business was it of his if she fell in love? I’ve met you and your grandmother. Something tells me your uncle is not a money seeking slob.”
“He’s a doctor.”
She stopped again. “He didn’t approve of a doctor?”
She felt Tyler’s arms move in a shrug. “I guess everyone doesn’t see eye to eye on that.”
“Foolish,” she said as the light shifted and she could hear the horses. They were walking into the stable.
Courtney closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the hay and the animals. Freedom lived here. The kind you could ride with no one looking over your shoulder. A magnificent animal under you taking you fast in the wind or slow to relax.
She opened her eyes and she could feel Tyler’s on her.
“Horses make you happy,” he said.
“You’ve started reading people too?”
“I can see it. You’re as bright as your dress right now.”
She smiled. “Take me to one.”
Tyler guided her to a horse. “This is Alistair. He’s Avery’s horse.”
Courtney lifted her hand and the horse moved to her. “Oh, he’s wonderful. Aren’t you boy? Yes, you are a sweet thing. Very gentle.”
“You can tell that by him sniffing you?”
“You can tell.” She gave his neck a pat and lowered her hand. “Will you bring me again and we can ride?”
“Of course. I’m not very skilled at it.”
“I am.”
She felt Tyler’s hand come to her waist and pull her to him. “I’ll bet you are.”
His mouth came to hers again and she swiftly wrapped her arms around his neck. As the heat of his mouth burned against hers the reality of the day hit her. She’d been sipping tea with his grandmother, wandering rose gardens, and loving on gentle horses. His kisses had nearly wiped her memories clean. But at that moment, she missed her brother.
She pulled back from him. “I’m sorry. It’s just…I should...”
Tyler pulled her to him as she began to sob. “It’s okay. I wondered when your strength would give out. You can cry all you need to. I’m right here.”
And somehow, she always knew he would be.
Tyler looked up and he knew that the stars would be bright tonight. The sun was descending, the sky was clear, and this woman on his arm—well she was bright. He’d held her in the stables for nearly an hour. They’d sat on a bale of hay and she’d just cried. He knew she would. He was glad he was there for it.
When she felt as though she’d cried long enough, they began to walk.
“You’re taking me to the creek,” she said and her lips curled into a smile.
“It wouldn’t be a complete trip if I didn’t.”
They walked through the field toward the creek. The heat wasn’t as brutal as it had been that morning. A breeze had come through.
“Oh this sounds lovely.” Courtney stopped and tipped her head back. “I thought it was going to rain today. I really did.”
“The sky has no clouds.”
“I know,” she said and he was sure she did know.
When they reached the creek bank they stopped. “We have to cross into the water to get to the boulder.”
She was grinning at him. “I’ve never been so excited to touch a rock in my life.”
“We can leave our shoes here.”
He bent down to untie his shoes and roll up his suit pants as she swiftly kicked out of hers.
“What’s on your toenails?”
She wiggled her toes. “Lady bugs. I thought they’d go well with my sunny dress.”
“You had lady bugs painted on your toes for your brother’s funeral?”
“He’d have appreciated it.”
“You’re a wonder to me,” he said standing and taking her hand. “I can’t guarantee it isn’t cold.”
“Are you afraid of cold?”
He laughed now. “Not me.”
“Good. Let’s go.” And with that she began to pull him toward the water.
Was she afraid of anything?
Tyler tried to get next to her and help her to the enormous boulder in the creek. “One side is lower so we can climb up.” He walked her around the front of the enormous rock.
“This is exciting. Okay, how do I get up?”
“I’ve never done this in dress clothes,” he said.
“We could certainly take them off.”
Tyler choked out a cough. He hadn’t expected that.
“I’ve kissed you, Tyler. I know you’re not a prude. You don’t get good at kissing like that without having had a lot of practice. That shouldn’t have caused you alarm.”