“I did, and she’s coming. She acted a little nervous when I told her Walt would be there. She was with my grandfather for so long, she said she wouldn’t know how to act around him.”
It dawned on Trixie that even before she and Nick had gotten together, she’d been so taken with him, she hadn’t really seen anyone else. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose the man she loved, much less the man she was married to forever, like Travis’s grandmother had been to his grandfather, and then to try to fit someone else into her heart.
“I hope she knows we’re opening a door for them but not pushing them through it. I thought it would be nice to get them together and see if they wanted to strike up a friendship again.”
“I think she’d like that. I heard her making a hair appointment for the afternoon of the barbecue.”
“Interesting. Well, if sparks fly, who are we to stand in their way? You never know who will find love at a Braden-Jericho barbecue.”
NICK PULLED DOWN the visor in his truck to block the late-afternoon sun as he drove into Pleasant Hill. He’d been gone all day, hitting three counties and making six stops, on the hopes of seeing that brilliant light in Trixie’s eyes. You’ve got one hell of a hold over me, darlin’. There wasn’t another woman alive he’d give up a day of working with his horses for, much less agree to host a barbecue with. When he’d called his buddy Jace to ask about bringing Trixie’s horses over, Jace had noticed that hold first thing. He’d said Nick sounded different when he talked about Trixie. Nick had called bullshit, but if anyone could spot a change like that, it would be Jace. Jace was several years older than Nick, closer to forty than thirty-five, and he hadn’t been looking for a relationship when he and Dixie had gotten together.
Nick drove through town chewing on the idea that Jace could spot a difference in him over the phone and telling himself it didn’t mean he’d been hit by Cupid’s arrow. He turned onto his driveway, and as usual, the stress of the day fell away. He drove down to the barns, and as he was parking, he spotted Trixie in a corral working with Buttons. The other minis were hanging out nearby. Goldie and Pugsly were lying in the shade outside the corral, and Rowdy was standing at the fence watching the horses. The sight brought that tug to his chest. That sensation had intensified lately, and it was there damn near every second he and Trixie were together.
Trixie was so focused on her adorable spotted friend, she hadn’t noticed his truck yet. He took a moment to watch her walking Buttons through a few commands. He loved watching her working with the horses. She was so full of hope and patience, it made her even more alluring. She’d been working diligently with them, and it was paying off. She praised Buttons, and Nick felt her enthusiasm as if it were his own. It was that energy that lured him out of the truck.
Trixie looked over, and the joy she seemed to always carry widened her beautiful smile. “Nick, watch this. Buttons is doing so well.”
Rowdy sprinted toward him. “Hey, buddy.” He petted him as they walked over to the corral.
Trixie gave the command for Buttons to walk with her, and the little horse kept pace by her side. She stopped to praise her charge, and then she told Buttons to stay and she walked a few feet away. When she gave the command for Buttons to come, the little horse went to her.
Attagirl.
Trixie lavished her with praise. She guided Buttons in a circle around her, and Nick held his breath. She had been working hard on that command, trying to teach Buttons to keep proper distance between them. Buttons got a little too close, and Trixie tapped her gently with the training stick, guiding her farther away. She stopped, and then they tried again. This time Buttons gave her ample space as she walked in a circle around Trixie.
Yes!
“That’s my brilliant girl!” Trixie lavished her with praise as Nick hopped over the fence.
“That was awesome.” He kissed Trixie and loved up Buttons.
“Isn’t she incredible? She’s so smart.”
“Almost as smart as her mama.”
She smiled up at him. “Flattery will get you everywhere. Prince did almost as well today. He also needs a little help with keeping his distance, but he’s getting there.”
Nick slung an arm over her shoulder and brushed his lips over her cheek. “Look who you’re asking him to keep away from. He might be a gelding, but he’s still male.” He kissed her lips. “Can I steal you away for a minute?”
“Sure. Just give me one second.” She took the lead off Buttons and loved her up one last time. “I’ll be back in a little bit, sweets.” As they left the corral, she said, “Did you get all your errands done?”
“I sure did.” He headed for his truck, the back of which was covered by a tarp.
“What’d you get?”
He began unlatching the tarp. “You’ll see.”
“Mysterious,” she said as he made his way around the truck bed.
When he whipped the tarp off, her eyes widened. “Is that…?”
“Used medical equipment. It’s not in great shape, but I think it’ll do for practice purposes.”
Her jaw dropped. “You bought all of that?”
“Sure did, darlin’. You wanted to practice, and I figured we could set it up in my basement until you go back to Virginia. Then I’ll haul it down there for you. I didn’t want you to have to make do with fake equipment for something this important. I got two hospital beds, a wheelchair, an IV pole, a standing heart-rate monitor and a blood pressure monitor, a supply cart, a recliner and one of those regular chairs they have in patient rooms, and a few other things. I also picked up a curtain and a U-shaped rod to go around the bed that we can put up when you get back home.”
“Ohmygod, Nick.” Her eyes dampened. “I can’t even…” Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she buried her face in his chest. “I never cry. Why do you keep making me cry?”
“Please tell me those are happy tears.”
She tilted her face up, grinning as she wiped her eyes. “They’re shocked and happy tears, and embarrassing as all get out, because I’m not one of those teary-eyed girls. I’m just overwhelmed. You’re only supposed to be helping me train the horses. and look at everything you’ve done for me. Thank you doesn’t seem big enough.” She threw her arms around him. “Thank you a million times over. You’re incredible.”
“About time you noticed.” He pressed his lips to hers.
“I noticed a long time ago, you big dork.” She planted a hand on her hip. “Way before you noticed me. But that’s okay. You were worth the wait.”
He tugged her into his arms and kissed her. “So were you.”
“I know,” she teased. “But seriously, Nick, how will I ever pay you back for all of this?”
“By being the best damn therapy horse handler there is and enjoying the hell out of it. That’s how.”
She crooked her finger, beckoning him closer. When he dipped his head beside hers, she whispered, “I’ve got your number, cowboy. You’re just as crazy about me as I am about you.” She kissed his cheek. “But you don’t have to buy me things. I love who you are in here.” She patted his chest over his heart.