I choked on a laugh. “I’m just getting around to talking to her about it.”
“Men,” Lor huffed. “Always assuming.”
I grinned. “Sometimes, it pays to be confident.”
She shook her head as she rose. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on your new arrival. Hopefully, Shiloh won’t have kicked your ugly mug to the curb overnight.”
I pushed to my feet, Kai rising with me. “Love you, Lor. Need you to know that. You saved me, too.”
She swallowed hard, her eyes misting over. “Love you like my own. That’ll never change.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Lor waved me off. “Go kiss your girl and stop making an old woman cry.”
The corner of my mouth twitched. “You could never be old.”
“Sweet-talker,” she muttered as she headed for her truck.
I made my way towards the round pen, Kai on my heels. Onyx’s ears twitched at our approach, but she didn’t tense. “What do you think? Is she ready to meet the welcome wagon?”
Shiloh’s mouth curved into a smile that hit me right in the gut. “I think she’s ready.” She patted Onyx’s neck. “What do you think, girl? Want to make some friends?”
The mare quivered as if she understood every word.
“I’m gonna unlatch the gate, and we’ll walk her over, nice and easy.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I unlatched the chain and walked the gate open, motioning for Kai to heel. Onyx’s head lifted as Shiloh guided her towards the exit. I didn’t miss how Shiloh guarded her movements. She was still hurting more than she wanted to let on. Flickers of anger and fear rose in me, along with the memories, but I did my best to let them pass through on a breeze.
It would take time for the scars to fade for all of us. All we could do was breathe through it and look for the good—like this moment right here.
I fell into step next to Shiloh and Onyx, Kai keeping pace but giving the mare her space. “Push it a little too much today?”
Shiloh sent a glance my way. “It’s annoying how perceptive you are.”
I chuckled. “Get used to it because you’re stuck with me now.”
She leaned into me, her warmth and life seeping into my muscles and bones. “I kinda like being stuck with you.”
“Glad to hear it.”
We walked in silence to the pasture, enjoying the comfortable quiet that Shiloh and I preferred. So often, what passed between us didn’t need words but said everything.
I unlatched the gate, and Shiloh led Onyx inside. She leaned forward, pressing her cheek to the mare’s. “This is a new beginning for you. There’s a whole beautiful world waiting. You just have to take the first step.”
My throat tightened, emotion clogging it as Shiloh unhooked the lead rope. Onyx didn’t move at first, simply stayed close. Shiloh gave her a pat on the neck. “Just one step.”
The mare seemed to hear her. She lifted her front hoof, then her back. Soon, she was walking, slowly approaching the group of horses waiting for her. Pep lifted his head and let out a whinny. Onyx picked up to a trot at his call, jogging towards them. They sniffed and nosed each other in greeting before they all settled in to munch on the lush grass.
I moved in behind Shiloh, wrapping my arms around her. “You did that. You gave her a miracle.”
“Wedid it. You and me. I think I could do anything when I know you’re with me.”
The burn was back. The one I relished because it was from Shiloh. “How would you feel about another miracle?”
She twisted in my arms so she could take in my face. “What did you have in mind?”