Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Trev gives a huge smile. “We’re ready.”
“Where are we going?”
“Trust me,” is all he says as he plants his palm on the small of my back.
Because I do trust him, I silently follow him and Leonardo out to a pickup truck and climb in with them both. As we head out of the vineyard, I’m able to take it in better than I did last night.
I stare out of the passenger side window with a smile on my face. Trevor takes my hand and laces his fingers with mine as he sits next to me on the large bench seat. I look to him and he gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
My heart begins to race with excitement. I don’t know what he’s up to, but something in me knows it’s going to blow me away. My heart swells with love for this man.
“I always want to see you happy,” he murmurs against my temple.
My heart squeezes. “I know and I love you for it.”
Wrapping his arm around me, he tugs me in close to his side. I sigh and snuggle in closer. Taking my hand in his, he plays with my fingers as we ride along the country road.
There’s music playing low. I can’t understand the words, but it still speaks to me. I begin to hum as I close my eyes and feel the sun coming in through the windows.
When we come to a stop sometime later, Trevor runs his hand up and down my back. I open my eyes and sit up. I hadn’t noticed I fell asleep for a bit.
It takes a second for my eyes to focus and the fog to fall away. When I catch my bearings, I gasp and turn to look at Trevor with wide eyes. We’re on a ranch, not just any ranch, but a ranch with horses.
“Are those Murgese horses?” I ask.
“That they are. I have one of the few ranches that breed and raise them. We’re committed to increasing their numbers once again. Beautiful breed. Highly intelligent horses,” Leonardo says proudly.
“What are we doing here?” I say to Trevor.
“My father mentioned wanting to come out to Leonardo’s new ranch a few months before break. I thought of you and wanted to bring you out to see if maybe your horse is here. So we’re here for you to meet a few friends and maybe ride a couple while we’re at it.”
“Oh, Trev, I haven’t been on a horse since…”
“I know. You don’t have to, but I think Pook would be proud of you if you did. You love horses. Besides, I have a good feeling about this.”
I allow his words to sink in. I was able to get the music back. Maybe I can find my will to ride again as well. He’s right. I do feel like my horse might be here or at least some connection to the horse meant to be mine.
“All right, I at least want to take a look. I can’t promise I’ll ride though.”
“All I ask is that you try.”
My heart swells to the point of bursting. I know what he’s doing. Trevor is working to return me to Texas whole. I love him for it and hope that I don’t disappoint him.
We climb out of the truck with Leonardo and head for the stables. Leonardo leads us down to the end. My heart races with each step.
“These are our unclaimed stallions,” Leonardo announces as he stops and strokes the head of a gray horse.
He’s pretty, but my feet keep moving as if they have a mind of their own. I stop before the stall with the black horse, who’s looking right at me. I lock eyes with him and move forward.
Placing a hand on the side of his head, I take the breath I hadn’t known I was holding. He releases a slight snort but seems to settle beneath my touch.
I’m so emotionally overwhelmed that I collapse forward and place my forehead to his. This is the one. This is my horse. It’s like something clicks into place within.
“Baby, you okay?” Trev asks as he places a hand on my back and begins to rub.
I can only nod. However, the stallion seems to become agitated. He snorts, backs away and begins to buck within the stall.
“Ah, Cuore Selvaggio, we haven’t broken him yet. I don’t know if this is the one for you.”
“He’s perfect,” I breathe.
“She’s no stranger to breaking horses,” Trev adds.
Leonardo looks at us warily. I can see the wheels turning. My daddy used to get that same look when I wanted to help Pook with her wild horses.
I was smaller than my sister and younger but determined. I also have a gentle but firm hand with horses. It’s like I speak their language.
I turn to look back at the horse as he lifts on his hind legs. He’s so beautiful. His pectoral muscles have a heart-shaped gray patch. Murgeses are known for their black or dark-gray coats. Some have white hair mixed evenly throughout, giving them what’s called a blue roan coat.