I took another deep breath and slowly let it out. The first stall held my horse, Trigger. He was a beautiful American Quarter Horse that Daddy had bought for me when I turned sixteen. When I left for college, it nearly destroyed me not being able to see my baby boy every day. Now, I tried to climb up on him at least three times a week. He was one of the lesson horses Erin used with her students, and I knew he loved it. He lived for riding, so I was grateful that he at least stayed busy when I couldn’t be here very often.
Trigger bobbed his head in excitement as I opened the stall. “Hey there, beautiful. I think Lou Lou Lemon will have to wait her turn this morning.”
He pushed his head against me and made what I could only describe as a purring sound. He was the only horse I knew who made that sound, and I loved it. It made him even more special. He reminded me of a giant version of Whiskey. Both my boys showed me love and made me feel like I was their special human.
“What do you say we go for a ride?”
Trigger stomped his foot, and I laughed.
“Okay, okay. Cut me some slack, I went out last night and might have had one too many beers.”
He snickered.
“Oh, don’t you lecture me, buddy. It’s been a rough week.”
Trigger followed me out of his stall and down to the tack room where he waited for me to get him saddled up and ready to go.
“We are going to take a little ride this morning, buddy. It’s my birthday, and I need the fresh air, you need the exercise, and a fence needs fixing.” My sweet boy leaned into me, knowing he could fix all my troubles just by being here.
I climbed up onto the horse and started out of the barn. When I turned onto the well-worn riding path that led to the middle pastures, I nearly fell out of the saddle.
Trigger came to a stop on instinct, and I stared in disbelief.
I’d seen plenty of pictures of Miles over the last five years from his momma, selfies he’d taken with his Marine Corp buddies and randomly posted on social media, and some from text messages. He had grown into one hell of a handsome man. But in person…in person he looked breathtakingly beautiful. Everything about him was perfect. He had grown even more handsome since the last time I saw him.
Five years ago.
And that really pissed me off, and on my birthday, no less.
Narrowing my eyes, I let my gaze move slowly over his body.
His dark hair was cut in a military style, super short on the sides, and a bit longer on top. A hot as hell look for him, but I wasn’t going to let myself dwell on that little fact because, after all, I was pissed.
But that tight white T-shirt showcased his broad chest, the tight jeans with muscular legs sent chills to all the important parts, and I could only imagine what his ass looked like.
Stop it, Kyns. Just stop it now.
My eyes naturally went back to his face. Blue eyes met my green, and I swallowed hard. Then he smiled, and his dimples made my insides tremble. My heart raced as I drew in a slow breath and breathed out the only word I could muster.
“Miles.”
And then he said the only word that he could possibly say in that moment that made any sense at all.
“Surprise.”
Miles
Five years earlier – MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command)
I SAT ON one side of the table, looking at the guy in the suit on the other side. He smiled, and I forced myself to return the gesture.
“Staff Sergeant Warner, I’m Doug Jones with the CIA.”
“CIA, huh?” I said, glancing over to my commanding officer.
“Yes. It’s come to our attention that you are not re-enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.”
“That would be correct. I’m ready to get home and back to work on my family’s farm in Texas.”
He nodded. “Got a girl waiting for you?”
Smirking, I replied, “Something like that.”
“Well, I’m here to make you an offer. One you won’t be able to refuse.”
I leaned back in the chair, crossed my arms over my chest, and raised a brow. I’d been in the Marines since I was eighteen. Worked my way up the ranks quickly and was respected by my fellow Marines. Not to mention, I was one of the best sharp shooters in the Corps. I’d been on some of the most dangerous missions and had made sure my family back home was up to date on the mortgage with the money I sent home. My siblings were able to go to college with the money I’d set aside, and I had managed to start a small savings I was hoping would help build my future. The future I wanted with Kynslee. This would have to be something pretty damn big to keep me from going back home and starting my life. So, I replied, “I’m listening.”