M I R A B E L L E
Snickers whinnied as I tossed the blanket over his back, preparing him for our ride.
“Here, let me help you.” Silas swung the saddle onto the back of my horse, adjusting it and making sure it was snug. His bulging biceps trapped my attention. I could admire him all day; however, him catching me doing so would make him unbearably smug.
“You know, I’m very capable of saddling my own horse.” Inching back, I crossed my arms as Silas dealt with Snickers, trying my best to seem annoyed. I’d spent so many years running from my feelings for Silas, the need to prove I could take care of myself was vital. It was hard to let go of that control, but knowing Silas loved me and wanted me to be happy, made it easier to let some of my insecurities go. Besides, I got sidetracked watching the way he moved. With his tight ass and mouth-watering muscles, the man was seriously distracting.
When he finished, he wrapped me in his arms and planted a kiss on the tip of my nose. “I’m very aware of what you’re capable of, but sometimes, I just want to do things for you.”
How could I argue with that?
“Ready?” Silas asked as he mounted Sable and walked her outside.
Giving him a thumbs-up, I led Snickers behind them before climbing in the saddle.
Ah, there it was. Contentment. Happiness. Home. There was nothing like being on the back of a horse to bring peace and clarity to a mind. As Snickers began to move, I patted his neck. Remembering how flawless it was for him to become my horse made me smile so big, my cheeks hurt. We’d needed to come together to deal with the loss of Dalton. Little Darren had been so right when he’d said horses mourn the loss of a companion. I truly believed that of all animals.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to run an idea by you.” Because of all the craziness caused by Rick, talking to Silas had slipped my mind. I figured while we were riding was as good a time as any. Chances were no one would disturb us, since our saboteur was in jail.
Silas slowed Sable until we were side-by-side.
I recalled my conversation with Gayle and Darren in the store, the way little Darren’s eyes lit up when he saw Molly, and how she’d taken to him, too. But it wasn’t just that. Something magical had happened when he’d sat on her back. His posture had straightened, and his flapping hands and repetitive talking had stopped. He was like a different kid. It was as if he and Molly spoke through nothing other than pressure and movement.
Gayle had been speechless and cried. It was suddenly clear to me how to make a difference using horses and my education as an occupational therapist.
“So, I think I’d like to start an Equine Therapy Program here at Sutton Ranch.”
Other than narrowed eyes, Silas’s face was unreadable, like a blank sheet of paper. He was quiet for so long I worried he didn’t think it was a very good idea. The longer he didn’t respond, the more I squirmed.
When he finally spoke, I almost fell out of the saddle.
“We’ll need to do some research, but I can’t think of anything more perfect for you to be doing.” He grinned at me.
Waves of happiness and relief washed over me. I giggled out of sheer joy.
“Come on,” he said before clicking his tongue and taking Sable up to a gallop. Snickers followed close behind.
The wind blew through my hair and across my face, and I couldn’t help but feel free and excited for what the future held.
After a few minutes, we slowed the horses. Silas came to a stop and dismounted, letting Sable graze as he walked a bit further. Shoulders slumped, he stared at the ground.
Releasing Snickers, I walked over to Silas.
“Are you okay, Silas?” His sudden change of mood filled my stomach with knots and my chest with dread.
“I made him a promise right here.” Silas spoke so softly, I almost couldn’t hear him.
When my gaze followed his, I knew who he was talking about. A large rock, jagged and grey, stuck out of the ground. My stomach dropped.
“This is where he died?” My knees wobbled, and I grabbed Silas’s arm in case my legs gave out.
Silas nodded and then dropped to one knee. At first, I thought his own legs gave out, then something gleamed in the sunlight, sending rainbows of sparkles over the grass.
“I made him a promise,” Silas said, gazing up at me. “I told him I would bring you home and take care of you. He knew I was in love with you, and he knew I would do right by you, Mirabelle. This may seem like a weird place to do this, but this was the last place he was. I felt it was only right for him to be here when I asked you to marry me.” Silas held out a ring, waiting for my answer.
I knelt at the rock and ran my hand over the sharp point. All remnants of blood or anything else had been washed away by the rain. Something so unassuming had changed my life forever. I wanted to be mad, but I couldn’t. I felt a sense of peace out here, and I had to believe that was Dalton. He had made it his mission to take care of me all his life, and even in his death, he had made it possible for me to be cared for.
Silas bowed his head as he waited for me to do what I needed to do. This was one reason in a million why he was perfect for me. Patience. The man had it in spades.
“Silas?” His eyes met mine, his face serene. “Nothing would make me happier.”
I held out my shaky hand, and he slipped the beautiful ring on my left ring finger. Then the crazy man stood up, scooped me into his arms, and spun me until I was dizzy. When he was sure I was steady enough to stand, he walked a few feet away and tilted his face to the sky.
“DALTON, SHE SAID YES!” he hollered at the top of his lungs. He tossed his hat into the air and laughed.
In that moment, I saw true happiness. Together we would move forward with confidence, knowing our future would be even better than the past.
Even when it seemed like nothing would be there for you in the end, hope was what kept you alive. What gave you strength. What kept you moving forward.
“Thank you, Dalton,” I whispered.