“I just wanted her to learn, and then I thought what fun is it if she knows and I don’t? So, I learned too.”
He squeezes my hand. “I wish I could’ve been the one to teach you.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t be jealous of Ray. He didn’t much care for teaching. Not sure why he signed up to run lessons.”
“I guarantee you he admired your ass when he taught you how to trot.”
“He was, like, seventy and married.”
He shrugs. “It’s a great ass.”
I shake my head and chuckle. Once we’re inside the stables, he goes into Cedar’s stall, where Wren is already waiting, Leia standing next to her.
Bennett comes with me to Junebug’s stall, holding the saddle. “So, I’m thinking we should pick out a horse for you,” he says, eyes not meeting mine while he concentrates on getting the horse saddled.
“I don’t need a horse, and I cannot afford one.” I give Junebug a pat and am rewarded with a nuzzle into my hand.
“It would be a gift from me.”
“No, Bennett.” I glance out the stall at the girls and back at him. “You will not be buying me a horse.”
“How will we go on family rides?”
“Poppy doesn’t mind me using Junebug, so we’ll go with that.”
He follows my line of sight to the girls, who are now at the stall door. “Conversation for another time.”
I help Bennett saddle both horses, but let’s face it, I don’t do nearly enough.
The girls decide who they want to ride with, and Leia waits by Cedar while Wren stands next to me.
I try to mask my surprise and act as though it’s perfectly fine that they switched it up. This is what we want. One day I’d like to have the conversation with Wren about where our relationship stands, but Leia hasn’t even referred to Bennett as Dad yet, so it’s probably a little early for that.
Slow and easy. We’ll get there.
We take the trail I’m familiar with and come to the same spot I brought Leia to when I told her Bennett was her father. On the other side of the field is where I lost my virginity to Bennett.
We all climb down off our horses. The girls have been doing an excellent job since they’ve been riding a couple times a week this summer. In that regard, dating an Owens has had its perks. Leia isn’t being charged for lessons, and she goes out with Wren all the time, even when they don’t have lessons.
I was too busy making sure the girls were safe that I never noticed the blanket and picnic basket, along with some games spread around for the girls. There are even little glass mason jars filled with battery-operated tealights.
“Bennett,” I say with a huge smile.
“Look!” Wren and Leia run over to one of the games.
Bennett takes my hand. “This place is where we’ve made a lot of good memories, and I want to continue them. I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”
“It’s like a dream.”
He stops us at the blanket, and I sit down before taking off my boots. He does the same. The girls are completely occupied going through the games, so he opens the picnic basket and takes out a bottle of champagne.
“What are we celebrating?” I watch him open the bottle.
“Us. All of us.” He pours two glasses. “I love you, Laney, and I can’t wait to make so many more memories with you.”
I clink my glass with his. “I love you too.”
I turn to watch the girls play cornhole, not really knowing the rules and running back and forth to toss the bags. Leia stands where she should, but Wren runs closer then tosses it.
