Holding You

Stepping into the barn my happiness quickly disappeared when I saw Rachel and her father standing there talking to Ryan, Scott’s trainer.



Fuck. Just when life seemed to be going in the right direction. Rachel glanced over to me and smiled as she winked, then licked her lips. Rolling my eyes, I turned and headed into the tack room. Shutting the door, I pulled out my phone and sent Lauren a text.



Me: Talked to your dad. He loves the idea of us working on the stallion together!



Lauren: What? Are you serious?



Me: Yep. And we are going to Kentucky twice this summer and New York.



Lauren: That’s amazing Colt! I can’t wait to get home now!



Smiling, I dropped my head back against the door and prayed like hell Rachel would be gone by the time I stepped out of this room.



Jumping when someone knocked on the door, I heard her voice. “Colt? Colt are you in there?”



Glancing back down at my phone I knew what I had to do.



Me: Rachel is here at your dad’s. Looks like her father is dropping off a horse



Lauren: Yeah, I know. I scheduled it before I left. I love you, Colt Mathews



Letting out a chuckle I whispered, “Damn, I love you.”



Me: I love you more.



Opening the door quickly, Rachel let out a yelp and jumped back as she looked behind me into the room. “Who were you talking to?”



Walking past her, I hurried over to a stall to start cleaning it out. “Lauren.”



“Right. Little sweet Lauren. How’s that working out for you, Colt?”



Turning around, I glared at Rachel. “Considering I’m planning on asking her to marry me, I’d say it was working out pretty damn good.”



Rachel sucked in a breath of air as she took a few steps back. Glaring at me with that look that used to make my skin crawl, she lifted her chin and whispered, “Your loss.”



Letting out a chuckle, I said, “Enjoy your afternoon, Rachel.” Turning back around, I began cleaning out the stall. Scott cleared his throat behind me and I glanced over my shoulder.



“Tell me what I just overheard was just simply a way of you getting Rachel to leave you alone.”



Laughing, I set the rake up against the stall door. “Yes sir, but, there is one other thing I needed to ask you now that we are on the subject.” Walking closer to Scott I gave him a huge smile.



Scott closed his eyes and let out a pain filled moan. “Oh, son-of-a-bitch. I was not ready for that one.”



SPINNING MY ALEX and Ani bracelet on my wrist, I closed my eyes and felt the heat move across my body. Colt had given me the locket bracelet the night before I left for Colorado after we had made love in the bed of his truck. Letting out a long sigh, I felt someone bump my shoulder.



“Daydreaming of a certain blue-eyed cowboy?” Alex asked with a smile.



Nodding my head, I let out a chuckle. “Oh, Alex. I’m so afraid I’m going to wake up and this is all going to be a dream.”



Grinning, Alex looked out at the beautiful Colorado countryside that was passing by us. We were riding the Durango train back down the mountain after spending the day on it. We had stopped at a few little towns to shop along the way.



“It’s not a dream, Lauren.” Turning back to me, she took my hands. “I’ve never seen my brother so happy, Lauren. It’s almost like you can feel the love just pouring off his body. He was actually singing in the shower the other day. My mother and I walked into his room and stood there giggling as we listened to him singing. It was kind of cute.”



Feeling my cheeks blush, I squeezed Alex’s hands. “What about you and Will? How are things going?”



The smile that spread over Alex’s face was contagious. I smiled back at her. “The wedding?”



Letting out a sigh, Alex’s face lit up. “I’m so excited, Lauren. Everything is just falling into place.”



My heart was bursting with happiness for Alex and Will. They went through a lot the first year they were together, but their love pulled them through it all.



“I think it is so romantic that you’re getting married under the same tree your parents did.”



Placing her hand over her mouth, tears formed in Alex’s eyes as she stifled her sob. “Me, too. It’s beyond perfect. I mean, when my parents got married there, our house wasn’t there, but there is something magical about that tree. I feel it in my heart.”



Reaching up, I wiped a tear from Alex’s cheek. “Why are you crying, Alex?”



“Because I’m so happy, Lauren and at the same time I’m so afraid the floor is going to fall out from underneath me because I’m so happy.”