“She’s just great, she’s on a playdate with her grandfather. Just so you have time to acquaint yourself.”
“Great. How are the horses? How’s Moonlight?”
We both jumped in the car and headed for home.
My mother glanced between me and the road. “She missed you when you were gone for the first few years. She would buck people off when they tried to ride her. Once Bella sat on her, she became a different horse. I swear your daughter is a horse whisperer. She must have gotten that from you.” She laughed with genuine joy.
I smiled with my heart. It was nice to see my mother like this. “How’s the old man?”
“Oh, you know, your father is as grumpy as ever. But he is excellent. If he is quiet for too long, I start to get worried.” She laughed again.
I looked out the window, my eyes greedy for the undulating California hills. I touched my arms to see if they were still there. I couldn’t believe I was wearing the same dirty, worn jeans and tank from over four years ago, returning to the farm.
As the driveway came into sight, I felt like a little boy again. I touched the glossy green leaves as I walked up to the porch. I let my eyes wander to the wilderness behind the property. I heard the horses neighing in the stables. I listened to the buzz of the bees in the front yard where flowers were in bloom. Home sweet home.
I walked inside, and for the most part, my home appeared untouched from the way I’d left it. I ran my thick fingers along the dining table. I picked up the picture of Anna, Bella, and me together. I had so many memories of us carved into my soul.
A sea of emotions hit me and, wanting to ground and have a moment to myself, I said, “I’m going to head down to the stables. I want to see the horses. Do you have feed down there?”
“You go on down there. Everything is in order. Your father just changed their shoes yesterday, and we got some new saddles. I think you’ll like them.”
Before I left, I gave my mother a kiss on the forehead. Without her, Bella would have been caught in the foster system. I owed a lot to her. I entered the barn, and Moonlight balked in her stall. She knew it was me.
“Moonlight, my beautiful mare. I’m back.” The strands of her black mane shook as I picked up a nearby bucket with feed in it. I laid my hand out flat, and she nibbled on it. I stroked between her eyes. “There you go. Daddy’s home. I have to take you for a ride. I heard Bella’s been looking after you for a while now. Like father, like daughter, huh? You like Winters.”
Moonlight snorted in derision as she licked the rest of the feed from my hand, tickling me. I walked the line and checked on my other three Palominos. I fed them, too. They were much calmer and could warm up to practically anyone. That’s why I liked Moonlight. She remained icy unless you were someone she really liked. She was something special.
Speaking of special, I had important calls to make. I snuck to the back of the barn with my phone and made a call to Mikakov.
“Hey, Mikakov. I’m out.”
“You’re out? What, did you bust out or something? I wasn’t expecting this call so soon.”
“No, early release. Listen. I’m calling in that favor. Can you set a meeting with Las Balas to cover the debt? Tell them Hector is coming.”
“Yes. We can set it. Let’s talk later in the week. I’ll come back with a date. Give you some time to acquaint yourself.”
“Thanks.”
I hung up quickly. The last thing I wanted was to be hanging on the phone line with a Russian. I sat right there on the haystack for a good half hour, just cherishing life. Nothing would be the same again. Anna’s killer was dead, but it didn’t take the burning grief from my heart. I made another call. The most important one.
“Hey.”
“Hi. Welcome home,” Amber said brightly.
“Thank you. I’ve set up the meeting to settle the score.”
“Thank you, Colt.”
“I want to see you. I want to take you horse riding. I can come to pick you up on the bike.” I decided to be plain and upfront, with no games.
“Colt, I don’t want to ruin anything for you. I don’t know—”
I cut her off. “Do you feel the way I feel? I need to know. I want to be with you. Just let me show you. Let your hair down for the day.” I grinned.
“Since you twisted my arm, I will. When?” she asked breathily.
“How about Friday? You can stay for dinner if you want.”
“Okay. I do feel what you feel. It’s a little scary, actually.”
“What’s scary about two people wanting to be together? I want you, and you want me.”
Twelve
Amber
I’d never been in a place more peaceful than Colt’s property. Baggage from cases melted right off my shoulders, floating to the ground and under the earth. I wasn’t ashamed to say I took Friday off. I wanted to meld into Colt’s world. The house was dead quiet when I arrived. Bella was at school and not due back until the afternoon. It was just me and the sexiest man alive—Colt Winters. Outside of the jail, he appeared larger than life—big, strong, and capable with sturdy hands and a nice pair of tanned cowboy boots. We were in his barn not long after I arrived.
Colt was coaching me onto one of the Palominos. “She won’t bite. Put your foot in the stirrup, and I’ll give you a leg up and over.”
“Okay. Okay. I think I got it.”
I held on to the bridle like Colt said, putting my right foot into the stirrup. I watched the Palomino’s tail swish flies away. Colt placed his large hand near my buttocks and helped me onto the horse, leaving me feeling flushed.
“Great job. Okay, just sit tight, and I will ride beside you. The Palominos are really gentle. Everybody rides them, and there’s nothing to fear.” Colt’s pacifying tone, along with his cool ocean-blue eyes, made me believe every word he said. I watched the power exude from him as he mounted another one of the Palominos, his thick thighs taking up space on the horse. I eyed them hungrily.
With Colt beside me on his horse, I said, “I haven’t ridden since I was a kid. The world feels different up here.”
“Sure does, doesn’t it? You look mighty fine on a horse, Amber. Follow me, and everything will be good. Just gently pull the reins in the direction you want the horse to go. You don’t have to kick hard, just lean a little. She will know. We are just going to trot. You don’t need to come up out of the saddle for that.”
I nodded and followed Colt’s strong lead to the letter. My hair was pinned up high and out of my face, though a few tendrils fell. My blue jeans were stretchy, so I felt comfortable on the horse. My off-the-shoulder top was keeping me cool from the muggy California heat. The clouds were a little overcast as I looked up, and a fine mist was hanging over the cobalt blue sky, threatening rain.
Colt and his trusty steed trotted alongside me like old friends. I breathed in and let all the stress roll off my back. I enjoyed the smell of the trees along the trail. The only things I could hear were blue jays and the crunching of hooves connecting with the dirt path underneath us. Riding with Colt was the first time I’d felt at ease with life. I rode in front through the overhanging branches into a wooded forest area, almost like an open enclosure. I gasped at the discovery and looked at Colt.