Holiday Hearts by Dana Volney

Author:Dana Volney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2020-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

He’d thought a ride would be a faster way to get to CCH and be done with the night. That was before they were sitting in a fancy damn wagon under a blanket, and – he tilted his head to the sky – little snowflakes were started to fall. Yeah, this had been a great idea.

He shifted his gaze to Silver. She never would’ve made it in that thin coat and dress. “Warming up?”

“A little.” She bit into her bottom lip, not looking directly into his eyes.

Richard went past the street he should’ve turned on. Great, he’d decided to take the scenic route. Fisher pushed his back into his seat and crossed his arms.

“This is the first time I’ve ever ridden in a carriage or been this close to horses.”

“Aren’t you from here?” His brow arched as he inhaled, but the cold stopped a full breath. He concentrated on getting enough oxygen and not freaking out. Easy. Slow breaths. There were down sides to his heart condition, the stress on his breathing being the most notable. And annoying.

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I grew up around animals.”

“What did you grow up around?”

“More socialite activities than outdoor ones. You?”

“My dad was a ranch foreman. I think I took my first steps to get to a horse.” He chuckled, picturing riding next to his dad for countless hours and years. When was the last time I rode?

“I’ve always wanted to…” Her words trailed off as she watched the horses move along the deserted road.

“I’m still in good with a couple of ranch owners. I could arrange a ride when the weather is nicer.” His face fell at the calculation of time between now and good weather in Wyoming. “Or just on a day that’s over forty degrees and sunny.” He probably had years left, but it could only be months, and he wanted to ride a horse again before his health really started to decline and he didn’t have the strength to pull himself into the saddle. But now was not the time to think of what might be. He’d made his choice, and nothing would be changed by his worrying.

“You’d do that?” She tilted up her chin, her big blue eyes searching his.

Hope. That’s what Silver reminded him of – someone who was constantly hopeful. How nice it would be to have that type of worldview.

“Of course.” The way she looked at him, so caring, he’d do anything to make her happy. “It’d be nice to ride again. There are some great trails if we go up on the mountain.”

“I’m going to have to mentally psych myself up to get this checked off my bucket list.” A smile filled her round face. “Horses can smell fear, right?”

“They’re pretty good judges of character. But I like to think I am, too, and you’ll be just fine.”

“I have been in some dicey situations in third-world countries, and I don’t remember being as nervous as this about doing anything.”

“Relax, we aren’t riding them in five minutes.

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