Page 148 of Return Policy
“Are you kiddin’ me?” Jenna laughs, and her joy makes me nauseous. “She was always so sweet. I don’t think there was a person in Longwood who didn’t love Lysa and her delicious lemon cupcakes. I’d love to get her number before you leave. It’d be nice to reconnect.”
That sounds nothing like the Mom I remember…
I force a tight smile. “Sure.”
“So what are you kids up to today?” Grandma Mia asks, thankfully changing the subject like the real MVP. I smile at her gratefully, and she winks.
“I think spending some time with Penelope,” Elijah responds. “It’s been a while since I’ve ridden her.”
“Oh, that would be so nice.” Jenna claps her hands together. “I try to ride her daily, but with you and Abbs gone… and Dad… she just doesn’t get time outside the pastures as much.”
* * *
Elijah readjusts Penelope’s saddle on his shoulder as we exit the barn. He’s wearing tight Wranglers that make his ass look fantastic, and a black cowboy hat is situated on his head. I’m practically salivating at the mouth.I wonder if I can convince him to bring some of this wardrobe back to school.
“I’m gonna teach you how to go full cowgirl,” he tells me with a wink as we make our way to Penelope’s pasture.
“I’ll be keeping both feet on the ground, thank you very much.” I exaggeratedly stomp in place while holding the camera around my neck so it doesn’t swing like a pendulum. “My health insurance isnotgood enough to get bucked off a horse.”
“You know I’d never put you in a dangerous situation where you could get hurt.”
“I know… but I would like to maintain the ability to walk.”
Elijah slides his free hand in the back pocket of my jeans. “I can think of more creative ways to assist in yourinabilityto walk.” He squeezes hard, and I yelp, jumping away.
“Oh, is that so, Mr. Anderson?” I say, using my best sexy librarian voice that always gives Elijah a hard-on.
“Yes, it is,Mrs. Anderson.”
A bubbling laugh escapes my lips. “Excuse me? So you buy me one fake ID and it’s official, huh?”
“Did you already forget our wedding in Vegas last weekend?” he teases. “Aren’t husbands supposed to be the forgetful ones?”
A high-pitched laugh escapes my lips. “I lo—”
“You lo—?”
“I love you…r sense of humor.” I smirk at him.
“And I loveyou,” he replies, kissing me.
We get to the wooden fence, and Elijah whistles for Penelope.
“I’ll just sit here,” I tell him, gesturing to the wood.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’ll take some pictures of you and Penelope. It’s a good vantage point.”
Penelope trots over, and he saddles up. He hooks his boot in one stirrup, hauling himself up and straddling her.
I can’t stop my mouth from breaking into a wide grin at this sexy as fuck version of him. I grab the camera from around my neck and snap a few quick pictures while he looks out towards the field.
“I can practically hear my dad telling me ‘I told you so,’” he says wistfully, and I hold my camera against my chest. “Damn, I miss his voice.” He pats Penelope’s mane. “Holler if you need me,” he tells me before galloping off like a young Clint Eastwood.
I situate myself on the fence, tilting my head back to enjoy the sun. While the air is cool, the sunshine warms me from the inside out. The smell of the fresh country air surrounds me, and I wish I could bottle it up and bring it home.
My phone vibrates in my jacket pocket, and I pull it out, expecting another text from Sage, who’s been sending me daily updates of her trip to Montana.Momflashes across the screen, and my stomach sinks.
