“That’s it. People in town are curious about me, but they mostly steer clear.” The corner of her mouth kicked up. “I think they’re worried my oddness might be catching.”
“You’re not odd.”
“I am. But I’m okay with it. People are overrated anyway.”
The chuckle that escaped me took me by surprise. I never would’ve thought I could move from threats to laughing so quickly. “I’ve never been much of a people fan either.”
Shiloh’s gaze locked with mine. “I know. That’s why it means everything that you let me stay here. I’ll never forget it. I know I can’t repay you—”
I took her hand in mine, weaving our fingers together. Her breath hitched, and I saw her pulse quicken.
“I like having you here. I think I needed it just as much as you did.”
The truth of those words hit somewhere deep in my chest, burning. But it was a beautiful kind of pain. One I welcomed. One that belonged only to Shiloh.
13
SHILOH
I studiedthe horse as she shifted, taking my measure. I sent silent messages that I would never hurt her and that I was on her side. But she didn’t approach.
Maybe she could still feel the anxiety of my earlier panic attack clinging to me. It sometimes took days for that frenetic energy to clear completely. I didn’t blame her for not wanting to approach. Yet, I couldn’t turn away.
Elliott scooted closer to the round pen’s fence as he looked up at the mare. “Is she gonna be okay?”
My heart clenched at the concern lining his little face. I rolled the words around in my mouth before speaking. I wanted to be cautious of the ones I chose, but I didn’t want to be dishonest with him either. Pretty lies only hurt more in the long run.
“She’s trying to figure out who she can trust. It’s going to take time.”
Elliott’s mouth thinned. “Dad was real mean to her. He never even let us name her.”
Nausea swept through me. “I know.”
“You guys will make her better. Aidan says Ramsey can do anything with horses.”
My insides warmed at the little boy’s certainty. “I’ve got a lot of faith in this beautiful girl. She’s got warrior spirit in her.”
The horse swished her tail as if relishing the compliment. I pulled a carrot out of my back pocket, slid my hand through the rails of the fence, and held it out to her.
The mare didn’t move. I simply kept my hand still and turned to Elliott. “You wanna go for a ride with me the next time you’re here?”
Elliott’s eyes brightened and then dimmed. He shuffled his feet. “I’ve only been once. I’m not that good.”
Anger lit in me that he’d never had the chance, despite growing up around the animals. Kenny Chambers’ horses had been too abused for Elliott to learn on, and I doubted Kenny would’ve taken the time to teach his son out of the goodness of his heart.
“We all start somewhere. One time, I didn’t check the girth and ended up under my horse. I bet you know enough not to do something silly like that.”
Elliott stifled a giggle. “What happened?”
“I had to put my hands on the ground and do a handstand to get down.” Thankfully, I’d been riding one of our oldest and calmest horses. He’d barely batted an eye at the ordeal.
Elliott toed a piece of gravel with his boot, and then his gaze traveled to where Ramsey and Aidan were bringing in some of the horses for the night. There was such longing in those eyes. A desire to be a part of it all. “I want to learn.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I began second-guessing them. I hadn’t ever taught anyone anything. My words didn’t always come out right. But when I looked down at Elliott, I knew I had to try.
He sucked in a breath. “She’s coming.”
His words were barely audible, but I couldn’t hold in my smile. “She just needed to do things in her own time.” Iunderstood that. The sensation of being pushed would only make us lock up.