Aspen Crossroads by Janine Rosche

Author:Janine Rosche [Rosche, Janine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2021-08-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

You want me to put my child on the back of that beast? I don’t think so.” Sonny lifted Elijah onto her hip and turned back to the car.

“These horses are used for therapy. They’re extremely gentle,” Haven explained. This bonding experience wouldn’t work if Sonny refused to go with them. And besides, if Haven had to conquer her fear of horses, then so would Sonny. At least Rosalie and Jillian weren’t giving her lip.

“Look, I’m all for team-building exercises. Just not this one.”

“Mommy, I want to ride a horsey. Pretty please,” Elijah said.

“Sorry, baby, but I think Mommy has too much work to do at the restaurant. Maybe some other time.”

The sound that emanated from Elijah’s mouth could’ve sparked a stampede. Immediately, big crocodile tears dripped down his reddening cheeks.

Sonny glared at Haven as she patted her son’s back. “Do you see what you’ve done? Okay, okay. We’ll ride a horsey. How did Jace get out of this anyway?”

The rumble of Jace’s truck spoke for itself. Leading a dust cloud, he parked next to the minivan, then jogged to catch up with them. “Sorry I’m late. Everything is under control at The Mill. The landscaping crew finished up. Did I miss anything?”

Jillian rested her hand on Jace’s shoulder. She’d worn her checkered halter top beneath her jean jacket, and despite the nippy air, she hadn’t bothered to button up. “Sonny’s scared of getting bucked off a horse.”

“You’ll be fine. Haven said this place is highly reputable.”

Colin Rivera greeted them outside the stable. “You all the group from Aspen Crossroads? Welcome to Alpine Ranch and Rescue.”

“Hi, Colin. Thanks for squeezing us in,” Haven said.

“Anything for you.” He welcomed her with a hug.

Jace sized him up beneath his furrowed brow. He put forth his hand. “I’m Jace.”

Colin accepted the handshake with a friendly smile. “Colin Rivera. Are you all new to town?” His gaze bounced from Jillian to Rosalie, and then landed on Sonny.

Jace quickly maneuvered himself between Colin and the women. “We are.”

“How is Whisper Canyon treating you?”

“Eh. It’s been hit-and-miss so far,” Jace said.

Elijah peeked at Colin around Jace’s right leg, and Colin responded by covering his face with his hands, then opening them in true peekaboo style. The game sent Elijah into a giggling fit and Sonny into a blush.

“We’re just here to ride some horses, if you don’t mind. Five adults, one child,” Jace said.

Everything inside Haven wanted to scream four adults, but she was the one who set this up. She couldn’t back out now. A horse whinnied inside the stable, and Haven wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans.

Colin eyed her curiously. “When did you get over your fear of horses, Haven?”

“Today,” she said with an exaggerated smile.

After a tutorial on how to handle the horses on the trail, they were each fitted with helmets. As Colin adjusted Haven’s, they were both aware of the way Jace watched them from across the space. When he moved close to her ear to inspect one of the straps, he whispered, “You must really like the guy to get on a horse for him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.