Page 17 of Apple of My Eye

“Hey girl.” My hand slid along Juniper’s neck, grounding myself in the familiar feel of warm hide and steady breath.

Knox, bent over, laced his fingers together to give me a leg up. I stepped in and mounted her; it all came back like muscle memory. My body settled into the saddle with ease.

He handed me the reins. “Go get it, cowgirl.”

“Humph.” I steered her over to start. The first run was slow and rough, a simple jog around the barrels. Juniper grunted like she was doing me a favor, while champing at the bit to go faster.

On the second run, I over-corrected the first turn and held the horse back on the second, my frustration rising with every misstep. Juniper snorted and pawed the ground at the starting line, as if telling me she was ready to break out and show what she could do.

I bent over and petted her mane. “Fine, girl. Let’s go.”

I inhaled deeply and, with a “Yah” and a kick of my heels into her ribs, something clicked.

She took off, and the world narrowed to the cloverleaf pattern of one right-hand turn and two left-hand turns. The rhythm of hooves against packed dirt, and the lean of my body in tune with Juniper through each turn. The crowd noise faded into the background, replaced by the rush of wind and the steady beat of my pulse.

When we crossed the line, I was breathless. And smiling. The ride hit deep and spread outward before I could stop it.

God, I hadn’t realized just how much I missed this until now.

The crowd chanted, “Daisy. Daisy.”

Juniper slowed beneath me, and I murmured praise as we came to a stop. When I swung my leg over her head to dismount and slide out of the saddle, Knox was there.

His hands came to my waist, steadying me as my boots hit the ground. His grip tightened under the fabric of my flannel shirt, which I’d worn loose over a tank top. He didn’t let go immediately, his thumbs brushing lightly at my sides as his eyes bore into mine.

“Nice ride, sweetheart,” he praised, voice dipping low like it belonged only in the space between us. “You look good in a saddle.”

Heat rushed to my face before I could stop it. I stepped sideways quickly, breaking contact, turning into Juniper with a hug so I had something to focus on besides the way my heart hammered in my chest.

“Easy, girl. You did well.” I massaged my hand along her neck.

Behind me, I could feel Knox’s heat linger like he was in no rush at all.

“Anytime you want a ride on her, I’ll fix you up. You could practice here a few times a week before winter, more in the spring, hit the amateur circuit with me next summer,” he suggested.

I ached for the idea. But my sisters clapped and whistled for me, reminding me I had serious work to do and peoplewho counted on me. I couldn’t just run away to the rodeo on a whim.

“Dinner is ready. Let’s eat,” Eldon shouted, his voice carrying easily over the crowd, and breaking up Knox’s attention. Everyone moved toward the long tables set up at the side of the barn I hadn’t noticed before.

In the air hung the delicious smell of rich, smoky barbecue from a roasted pig on a huge spit. A massive cauldron of beans simmered nearby, steam curling up. They had loaded the tables with everything else, serving family style, from fresh bread and churned butter to pasta salads, jello molds, and pies of every kind imaginable. Seemed everyone brought something to share.

How Ivy pulled this event together and kept it from me—and any town gossip about it—was a miracle.

I filled a plate more out of habit than hunger, my senses still a little overwhelmed by the ride and the surprise. People stopped me and wished me well for my birthday until I finally found an open seat.

Knox dropped beside me, Colt on his other side, Ivy settling in close enough to bump my shoulder with hers.

“Not bad for a surprise,” she said.

I huffed a quiet laugh. “You went all out.”

“You deserve it.”

I almost winced at her words, but for once, I didn’t argue.

They all made idle chatter until Knox brought up the apple harvest.

“What are you planning to do with the apples now?” He asked.