though she’d sat with him during the picnic and at the movie, she never seemed to slow down or relax or simply be in the moment.
Was that her personality or nervousness or perhaps her age? She was only twenty-six. Six years younger than him.
He wanted the chance to find out which.
The hummingbird flew off in search of another flower. Bryce wasn’t about to let Dani get away so easily. He went downstairs to his computer and typed an e-mail.
To: “Sanfrandani”
From: “Bigbrother”
Subject: Today?
Had a great time last night. Any chance you are free for lunch today?
To: “Bigbrother”
From: “Sanfrandani”
Subject: RE: Today?
Not unless it’s a late lunch. I’m working today.
To: “Sanfrandani”
From: “Bigbrother”
Subject: RE: RE: Today?
A late lunch won’t work for me. I have a family thing. Tomorrow I need to check out a horse my sister is thinking of purchasing over in Danville. Want to come?
To: “Bigbrother”
From: “Sanfrandani”
Subject: Yes!
I love horses. I need to finish up a project at work tomorrow, but can be done by one if that works for you.
To: “Sanfrandani”
From: “Bigbrother”
Subject: RE: Yes!
One o’clock works fine. Where do you want me to pick you up?
To: “Bigbrother”
From: “Sanfrandani”
Subject: RE: RE: Yes!
Pick me up at the corner of Howard and Beale. NearStarbucks. If you’re running late just give me a call 555-2328. See you tomorrow:-)
Yes! A date and a phone number.
Bryce reread Dani’s replies, noting the exclamation marks and the smiley face on her last e-mail. He grinned.
Many women liked flowers, others preferred chocolate, some favored sparkly jewelry.
But who would have known the way to Dani’s heart was with a…horse?
“How was it?”
“The best ride of my life.” Dani sat atop a gorgeous fourteen-hand bay gelding. Giddy with excitement, she smiled down at Bryce. “He’s a great horse. Fabulous gait, compliant, good attitude.”
“How does he handle?”
“Wonderfully. I think I’m in love.” She knew Bryce had only asked her to ride the horse because she was close to Caitlin’s size and hadn’t ridden in months. Dani didn’t care about the reasons. She leaned forward in the saddle to pat the horse’s hot neck. “Did you see those lead changes? They were great.”
He smiled up at her. “You were great.”
She sat taller in the saddle. “Thanks. I’ve always felt comfortable with horses.”
“It shows,” he said. “You’re fun to watch.”
He was, too, with his dark hair gleaming in the sun and a wide smile brightening his face. “Thanks for letting me ride him.”
And thank goodness she’d thought to bring her paddock boots or she might have missed the chance. What an opportunity.
With a final reluctant pat, she dismounted. She’d taken the horse through his paces and showed Bryce what he needed to know. Her job was finished.
Her feet hit the ground. She held the reins in her left hand and removed the helmet she’d borrowed from the stable with her right. “I forgot how much I enjoyed riding.”
“That’s what Caitlin said.” Bryce took the helmet from Dani and fell in step beside her. “Her fiancé, Mark, could tell she missed riding and told her to buy a horse. She used to be really competitive and he’s encouraging her to go for it again.”
As Dani led the horse around the ring to cool, she glanced toward the entrance to the indoor riding arena where the owners, a man and woman in their mid-fifties, spoke to a male rider.
Dani wiped her sweaty
Was that her personality or nervousness or perhaps her age? She was only twenty-six. Six years younger than him.
He wanted the chance to find out which.
The hummingbird flew off in search of another flower. Bryce wasn’t about to let Dani get away so easily. He went downstairs to his computer and typed an e-mail.
To: “Sanfrandani”
From: “Bigbrother”
Subject: Today?
Had a great time last night. Any chance you are free for lunch today?
To: “Bigbrother”
From: “Sanfrandani”
Subject: RE: Today?
Not unless it’s a late lunch. I’m working today.
To: “Sanfrandani”
From: “Bigbrother”
Subject: RE: RE: Today?
A late lunch won’t work for me. I have a family thing. Tomorrow I need to check out a horse my sister is thinking of purchasing over in Danville. Want to come?
To: “Bigbrother”
From: “Sanfrandani”
Subject: Yes!
I love horses. I need to finish up a project at work tomorrow, but can be done by one if that works for you.
To: “Sanfrandani”
From: “Bigbrother”
Subject: RE: Yes!
One o’clock works fine. Where do you want me to pick you up?
To: “Bigbrother”
From: “Sanfrandani”
Subject: RE: RE: Yes!
Pick me up at the corner of Howard and Beale. NearStarbucks. If you’re running late just give me a call 555-2328. See you tomorrow:-)
Yes! A date and a phone number.
Bryce reread Dani’s replies, noting the exclamation marks and the smiley face on her last e-mail. He grinned.
Many women liked flowers, others preferred chocolate, some favored sparkly jewelry.
But who would have known the way to Dani’s heart was with a…horse?
“How was it?”
“The best ride of my life.” Dani sat atop a gorgeous fourteen-hand bay gelding. Giddy with excitement, she smiled down at Bryce. “He’s a great horse. Fabulous gait, compliant, good attitude.”
“How does he handle?”
“Wonderfully. I think I’m in love.” She knew Bryce had only asked her to ride the horse because she was close to Caitlin’s size and hadn’t ridden in months. Dani didn’t care about the reasons. She leaned forward in the saddle to pat the horse’s hot neck. “Did you see those lead changes? They were great.”
He smiled up at her. “You were great.”
She sat taller in the saddle. “Thanks. I’ve always felt comfortable with horses.”
“It shows,” he said. “You’re fun to watch.”
He was, too, with his dark hair gleaming in the sun and a wide smile brightening his face. “Thanks for letting me ride him.”
And thank goodness she’d thought to bring her paddock boots or she might have missed the chance. What an opportunity.
With a final reluctant pat, she dismounted. She’d taken the horse through his paces and showed Bryce what he needed to know. Her job was finished.
Her feet hit the ground. She held the reins in her left hand and removed the helmet she’d borrowed from the stable with her right. “I forgot how much I enjoyed riding.”
“That’s what Caitlin said.” Bryce took the helmet from Dani and fell in step beside her. “Her fiancé, Mark, could tell she missed riding and told her to buy a horse. She used to be really competitive and he’s encouraging her to go for it again.”
As Dani led the horse around the ring to cool, she glanced toward the entrance to the indoor riding arena where the owners, a man and woman in their mid-fifties, spoke to a male rider.
Dani wiped her sweaty
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