Page 105 of Rescued
“I wanna see the goats, too,” Nora pipes up.
“And we will,” Theo assures her. “You’ve gotta meet my girl, Lila. And also my new boy, Spot.”
“Isn’t Spot usually a dog’s name?” Salem asks, raising his eyebrow at Theo as we walk through the field.
“Sure. But Spot is basically a lapdog. Plus, he’s got a little black spot right in the center of his forehead. It’s the perfect name for him.”
Nora giggles. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
I fall back a bit to let Arlo catch up with me and slide my hand into his. He smiles up at me, squeezing my fingers.
We’ve spent so long not being able to show affection openly like this that it still feels a little strange.
Hunter catches sight of our joined hands, and his lips tilt up in a little grin. “I thought I was the only one who saw it,” he says, gesturing to our hands. “Thought I was going crazy at our first game night.”
I laugh, glancing at Arlo. “I feel like Arlo hid better than I did. I’m not sure I was any good at it.”
Hunter shrugs. “Doesn’t help anything that I caught y’all makin’ out outside the fire station one night.”
“Oh shit,” Arlo says, mirroring my own thoughts. “When?”
“I was still working at the sheriff’s office, so close to a year ago now, I’d say.”
Holy fuck.
“I thought for sure you all were together, so I was real surprised when you acted like you weren’t.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I look ahead, watching Theo lead the kids into the barn.
“We’d better catch up,” Arlo says, which makes Hunter snort a laugh.
When we step into the barn, Theo is petting a brown horse on the neck. Salem is staring up at it with stars in his eyes, and Nora looks terrified.
“I think you were right, Salem.”
“About what?” he asks, barely sparing her a glance.
“I’m definitely too small to ride them.”
“Well, that’s just not true,” Hunter says, stepping closer.
I wrap my arms around Arlo, pulling his back flush against my chest. He sinks into me, watching the kids interact with Hunter, Theo, and the horses.
“She’s a sweet baby,” Theo says. “I was afraid at first too, but she won’t hurt you.”
“We could put you up in the saddle,” Hunter says, smiling at Nora. “Then I’d just take her reins and let her walk around with you. You’d like it, I think.”
“I think so too.” Theo rubs her neck again. “I learned to ride on her, and it’s one of my favorite things to do now.”
“I think I’d like to learn,” Salem says softly, his eyes darting between the horse and Theo.
Hunter nods. “Definitely.”
Arlo sighs. “I think things are gonna be okay, baby.”
“I think so too, baby boy,” I whisper, leaning down to press a kiss to the side of his throat.
Arloisjuststeppingout of the shower when I slip into the bedroom and close the door behind me.
