Brave. Carefree. Alive.
She hooked the reins around the saddle horn and rose up, firming her grip with her thighs and stretching her arms out to catch the rush of wind with her palms. Cold air licked through her hair, teasing her neck and slipping beneath the billowed back of her shirt.
The throbbing gallop of Logan’s stallion sounded at her side. Amy glanced to her left. Logan leaned forward, his muscular thighs hugging his horse’s middle, his powerful build steady, keeping pace with her.
He smiled. “That all you got, babe?”
Amy laughed, a rebellious energy she hadn’t felt in years firing through her body. The wind roared by her ears, her heart pounded and a sweet sense of freedom overcame her. She renewed her hold on the reins and gave Lightning permission to charge faster. They regained the lead, sprinting a foot ahead and swallowing up the spacious fields before them. Logan remained hot on their heels.
Lightning stretched his legs in long, galloping leaps following a familiar path until they crossed the edge of the open field. He slowed to a walk as they came to a cluster of trees lining a rushing creek and carefully maneuvered between them until they reached the bank.
“Good boy,” she crooned.
Amy kissed Lightning’s sweaty neck, drew him to a halt and glanced over her shoulder. Logan stroked his horse’s neck and eased up beside her. She examined his devilish expression, narrowing her eyes on the sexy curve of his smile.
“You held back and let me win.”
Logan chuckled. “Are you implying you couldn’t have outrun me otherwise?”
“No. Just making an observation.”
“So, considering that, I get to keep my hat.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ll have to think about it.”
She swung her leg over Lightning’s back and hopped down, watching as the stallion walked to the creek and began to drink. Logan followed suit and led his horse over to join Lightning.
Amy turned, eyeing the scattering of trees and noting one in particular. She sighed as she surveyed the solid strength of the oak tree. Its impressive shape and towering height was familiar and stirred an ache in her chest.
She winced, absorbing the rush of embarrassment. It was the same tree Logan had leaned against when she’d first kissed him. It had taken every drop of bravery she’d had to touch her lips to his all those years ago. To risk so much for what she knew would be so small a reward.
She’d loved Logan just as strongly then as she loved him now. There was no need to fight it or run from it. It just was. She had to accept it as something she could never change or leave behind.
Amy walked over and leaned against the oak’s trunk. She closed her eyes and absorbed the whispering rush of water from the creek and the rough bark at her back, allowing herself to imagine, just for a moment, how different things might have been if she hadn’t lost Sara. If she hadn’t pushed Logan so hard. If she’d given him a chance to love her back.
She felt fabric sweep past her shoulders and a strong heat drew near to her chest. She opened her eyes to find Logan leaning close, his dark eyes on her mouth and his muscular arms braced against the trunk on both sides of her.
Her belly fluttered as his lips parted, his head dipping.
“Wanna give it another try?” He tapped his mouth with the blunt tip of his finger.
Amy shook her head, heat racing up her neck. She pressed her palms tight to the tree behind her, digging her fingers into the uneven crannies of the bark.
Logan’s gaze left her mouth and traveled over her face. His lips tipped up at the corners.
“Come on, babe,” he whispered, taking one of her hands in his and holding it to his chest. “Try me.”
She pressed her lips together, stilling as his eyes darkened and returned to her mouth. The heavy throb of his heart beat against her palm and coursed down to her wrist, coaxing her pulse to join its rhythm.
“Let’s make a better memory,” he urged. “One we can enjoy remembering.”
God help her, she wanted that. Amy sighed, closing her eyes and touching her mouth to the rough stubble on his cheek. She nuzzled her nose against his skin and breathed him in, savoring his masculine scent. He pressed close and slipped his fingers underneath the ring hanging from her neck.
“Friend, lover, husband...” His husky voice tickled her ear, sending thrills over her skin. “Call it whatever you want.” He nudged a leg between hers and lifted his head. “I’m yours, Amy.”
Her palms tingled. She wanted nothing more than to hold on to him. To find comfort in his strength.
She slipped her fingertips under the brim of his hat, weaving them through the thick waves of his hair, and parted his lips with hers. A low growl throbbed in his throat and he explored her mouth with gentle sweeps of his tongue. His knuckles brushed her cheek, skimming her shoulders and uncurling to secure a grip on her hip.
Heat speared through her and traveled low, making her ache with need. Seeking a distraction, she burrowed her fingers further into his hair and dislodged his hat, swooping up his Stetson and settling it firmly on her own head. It sat a little loose and knocked against his forehead as he kissed her.
His deep chuckle rumbled. He smiled wide against her mouth, his teeth bumping her lips. Amy grinned, savoring the delight in his eyes and cherishing the abandon in his unrestrained laughter.
“That’s my favorite one.” He drew back, pinching the hat and centering it on her head. “I should’ve known better than to risk it with you.”
Amy’s grin slipped. It was a teasing statement. Benign and meaningless. But it managed to cut.
Logan winced. He framed her face with his warm palms and kissed her forehead.
“Hey,” he whispered. “This is a better memory, yeah? A good one.”
She nodded, closing her eyes as he claimed her mouth with the softest of kisses. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms in brisk movements and smiled.
“It’s getting cold. Let’s head back for the bonfire so you can show off your trophy.” He tapped the Stetson and grinned. “I know you gotta be chomping at the bit to gloat to Dom.”
Amy thumped the brim of the hat and beamed, slowing her speech to her best hick drawl. “A girl’s gotta lay claim to her bragging rights, sir. Ain’t my fault you held back.”
“This time.” He laughed, turning to amble away toward the horses. “I might not on the next run. So you better hope you remember everything I taught you.”
She dragged her palms over her jeans and ducked her head. That was the biggest problem. She couldn’t forget. Any of it. The good or the bad. They were impossible to separate.
Logan whistled. Lightning left the creek and trotted toward him.
Logan turned, stretching out his upturned palm. “Come on. Let’s head home.”
She
