Noah nodded vigorously. “Yup. I named him after Sponge Bob because he’s got a yellow coat.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing.
Liam readjusted the hat on his head. “Bob, it is. Lead the way, little man.”
Noah took off for the barn at a run, but Liam fell into step with me. He leaned in closer, whispering in my ear, “How come you get Lightning, and I’m stuck with Bob?”
Liam’s breath on my neck sent tingles down my spine. “You could always ask to switch, but you know that would break Noah’s heart.”
Liam’s gaze locked with mine. “We can’t have that.” He let out a sigh. “Me and Bob, best pals.”
A soft smile stretched my lips at how sweet Liam was with Noah. “Just be grateful Noah didn’t put you on one of the mules.”
Liam shook his head. “Thank God for that.” He pointed to the bag on my shoulder. “Don’t you want to leave that in my SUV?”
I stiffened. My bag went with me everywhere, even on a horseback ride. “No.”
Liam’s forehead wrinkled. “Okay…”
I turned away, heading for where Noah was talking to one of the stable hands. I stopped where Lightning was tethered, giving his muzzle a gentle rub. “Hey, boy. You want to go for a ride?” Lightning huffed as if to say, “Of course.”
I made quick work of checking the tack and fixing my bag behind the saddle. By the time I was finished, Noah was already up on Stargazer, and Liam was getting ready to mount. He looked at me. “You ready?”
My stomach clenched. “Ready.”
I led Lightning to the mounting block and swung up onto his back. I reached back with one hand to make sure my bag was still in place.You’re going to be fine.
Noah bounced in the saddle. “Let’s go!”
Liam grinned. “You’re in charge, little man.”
Sheer joy and pride filled Noah’s face. “I know the best ride.”
Liam adjusted his hold on the reins. “I can’t wait to see where you take us.”
Noah urged his horse forward, leading us through an open gate and into one of the rolling pastures, this one free of other horses and cattle. Liam found his way next to me. “Grilled cheese, or PB and J?”
The tension in my shoulders melted a bit. “Like that’s even a serious question. Grilled cheese all the way.”
Liam clutched his chest. “That’s it, ladies and gentlemen, I’m done for. A woman who appreciates the fine cuisine of grilled cheese as much as I do.”
We rode for at least an hour before turning around and heading back. Noah chattered about school, the animals on the ranch, and his first guitar lesson with Liam. Liam and I could barely get a word in. It was perfect—the peacefulness that comes with innocent voices, beautiful landscapes, and time communing with horses.
Part of me had worried that once Liam got me semi-alone, he’d push. Ask me questions I couldn’t answer. Demand to know more about my past. But he didn’t. I didn’t have to answer one question that made me uncomfortable. And not just because Noah was a little chatterbox.
Liam didn’t push. He kept things light. The questions he asked Noah and me centered around favorite flavors of ice cream and who would win a fight between Thor and Captain America. It was easy being with him and Noah, my soul relishing in the human connection I’d had so little of these past few years.
I wanted more. And that terrified me.
We came to a stop outside the barn, each of us slowly dismounting and leading our horses inside the outbuilding. I tethered Lightning and began the process of removing his tack so I could give him a nice rub-down. I carried the saddle to the tack room, placing it on a peg that read,Lightning. When I turned, I almost crashed right into Liam.
“Sorry,” I muttered.
Liam chuckled. It was low and husky and made my stomach flip. “We have to stop doing that.” I nodded, taking a step back as he swung his own saddle up onto a peg. “So, did you have fun?”
I licked my lips. “It was great. Thank you for inviting me.”
Liam reached out, moving slowly, and swept his thumb across my cheek. “You have a little dirt.” His thumb lingered, his hand almost cupping my face.
