Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Wrapping my arms around my chest to keep warm, I rest my head against the rough bark and close my eyes. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it for long. I shift to get as comfortable as a tree trunk can be, and stare into the distance to the east side of the field.
A flicker of light grabs my eyes, though it goes away just as quick. It’s probably aliens coming down to abduct me and Sunrise. “It’s okay, girl, I won’t let them get you. Wait.” I look up at her. “Did you hear that? Would aliens know my name? A nickname at that?”
I’m sure it’s the winds taunting me, but I swear I heard my name . . . well, Pris, which means . . . I sit up and look ahead, finding the light through the rain again. Focused on the light, I listen. “There. Did you hear it?”
“Pris? Sunrise?”
Sunrise stomps her front legs, splashing more mud on me. I wipe my face and then attempt to stand, but the mud is so thick that I get stuck. I sit back down and wobble over a large root to clear the suction between my skirt and the ground. “Over here,” I call as loud as I can while trying to keep from freaking the horse out.
Sunrise doesn’t have a lead or reins, so if she takes off, there’s no stopping her.
I continue to struggle to stand when the heel of my boot slips. “Tagger?”
“Pris?” The light grows, spreading wide over the area as it approaches and then blinds me when it’s shined in my eyes. “Babe, are you okay?” He tucks the flashlight into his back pocket and reaches for me. “Oh fuck, you’re covered in mud.”
“I’m fine. I’m fine. But glad for the announcement.” I can’t help but laugh anymore. I’m too tired to try to be funny, so I’m forced to go with an old standby. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known.”
He takes my hand in his, and my upper arm in his other. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I’m pulled to my feet, then rest a hand on the horse to make sure she feels safe. “It’s okay, girl.”
“I brought a rope to lead her back.”
I’m somewhat amazed, but more impressed, and feeling loved that he was searching for us in the first place. “How’d you know I’d find her?”
“I knew you wouldn’t give up until you found her.” He loops the rope around her head and hands me the lead. “She trusts you more.”
I lean up and kiss him. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” He runs his fingers along my cheekbone. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
As much as I would love to be buried in his arms, we have a long walk ahead. Maybe we can pick up where we left off if we have any energy left by the time we get back.
Most of the mud on my skin rolled off under the rain, which lightened as we approached the barn. Of course it did . . .
I put Sunrise in her stall, making sure she’s set up with water and plenty of hay. Returning to Tagger, I stand there, unsure what to say. Hoping to find our way back to each other, I start over. “You’re here.”
“I couldn’t stay away from you any longer.” He gives me a wink, catching on quick.
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tight. He has hard muscles and warm touches. “I’m glad you didn’t.” Resting my chin on his chest, I ask, “Do you want to go into the house to take a shower?”
He glances back as if debating his options. “No. As long as you don’t mind me being a mess.”
Laughing, I slip from his hold and give him a twirl. “I have no room to speak.”
“Sorry about the dress getting ruined.” As if his words cued the weather gods, the rain starts pouring down again. I’m glad we’re under a roof and protected this time.
“Me too.” I look down at the skirt of stained brown with some green grass streaks throughout. “It was my mother’s. It’s too far gone to save.” I take his hand and lead him to a wooden ladder my eldest brother made years ago.
Tagger eyes the ladder leading up to the loft area. “What’s up there?”
“I’ve been doing a renovation here and there. It’s not much, and there are no walls, but I have bottled water and a place to wait out the storm.”
The right side of his smile lifts first as if he knows I’m up to no good. It was never a plan to seduce someone in the loft of the barn, but now that the opportunity has arisen, I’m not opposed or beneath begging. At least not with Tagger. “Come on.”
I climb up, with him waiting until I’m securely at the top. Probably best since the ladder wasn’t made for durability or adults but instead for convenience and kids. When he gets to the top and steps off, he smiles. “You did all this?”