Country Strong by Caitlin Ricci

Author:Caitlin Ricci [Ricci, Caitlin]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter Five

I WAS at Kellen’s house at four o’clock. He hadn’t set a time, and with a light snow coming down on the roads heading east, I knew I’d want some extra time to get there and get home later that night. I hadn’t had a date, a proper and real date, in years. I had a history of thinking cheap pizza and a compliment was enough to get me into bed. And it’d been working just fine. Dates came with expectations and a requirement for me to get out of my comfortable jeans and into something a little nicer. Like the black slacks and dark burgundy button-down shirt I was currently wearing. I’d found the shirt in a ball in the back of my closet the night before and the pants had been worn to my high school graduation. They were a bit tight since I’d filled out some since then, but at least they sort of fit. I didn’t think I’d be in them all that long to really notice anyway.

I pulled up in front of his house and saw him riding a horse about twenty yards away. It took me a minute to realize he was on General. My heart swelled from looking at my horse carefully stepping over poles and around various obstacles on the ground like he’d been doing it for years. I got out of the truck and walked down to see them both. Kellen didn’t seem to spot me until I was up against the rail, my hands under my chin as I propped myself against one of the fence posts.

“Aren’t you cold?” he asked me once he was close.

I nodded. I was a bit. Back in Denver, I had buildings to block the snow and wind. Out there, it blasted against me. “Aren’t you?”

He nodded and pulled General to a halt in the middle of the arena. “Yeah. I didn’t think we’d be out here for very long, but he looked to be enjoying the games and so I let him continue. I think we’re done now, though.”

General saw me and tried to pull toward me as Kellen dismounted him. I gave my horse a little wave and pulled a carrot out from behind my back. I’d almost forgotten to bring one for him. He pulled away from Kellen and trotted toward me. Kellen could have stopped him, but I was glad to get a moment with my guy as he ate the orange treat from between my icy fingertips.

“Good boy,” I said, rubbing his face and playing with his forelock as the long hair fell between his eyes and down his nose. I’d always loved his long mane and tail. Sometimes, when they were tangled, they could be a hassle. But the kids he gave lessons to liked to braid his hair and put ribbons in it during the summer. Once in a while, they even put body paint on him since he was such a good canvas and patiently held still for their little hands.

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