Holding Haley (The West Contemporary Romance Series) by Jill Sanders

long as you let Chase swing by today.”
    “ Chase?” He laughed. “Now I’m seeing a vet, too.”
    She chuckled. “I trust him completely with all my animals.” She set a full plate in front of him. “Now eat up.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He smiled as he scooped up a spoonful of eggs.
     

    Five days later, Wes stood next to a horse that was all saddled up as Lauren, Alex, and Haley glared down at him.
    “ No,” all three of them said at the same time.
    “ But—” he started, only to be interrupted by the word again. “Chase said—” he started, but they repeated their refusal. “Really?” He tossed down the reins, almost feeling like a child.
    The horse, for his part, started walking towards the barn again. Wes stopped the old guy several times, but each time he was confronted by the wall that was the West sisters.
    He was so tired of being cooped up in the house; he just wanted to go for a ride. Chase had told him he could go if he rode Dash, didn’t go faster than a slow walk, and stayed in the front field.
    But so far, the sisters refused to listen to their vet. He bet that even if he had a signed note from his human doctor, they wouldn’t let him on a horse for another week.
    He crossed his arms over his chest. “When?”
    Haley hopped down from the black horse she was on and walked over to him. Taking him by the shoulders, she started walking towards the back deck. She smiled and said softly, “Next week you have a doctor’s appointment on Monday. If he clears you, then we can go for a long, slow ride.”
    Images flooded his mind: Haley wrapping her long legs around his hips, her hat and boots still on, with nothing else.
    “ Earth to Wes?” Haley said, laughing. “Where did you go just then?”
    He smiled. “Where do you think?” he said, pulling her into the shade of a large oak. Here the shade was thick and the breeze was cool. He pulled her up against the large tree trunk and kissed her slowly.
    “I see you’re feeling better.” She smiled as she rubbed her hip against the bulge in his jeans.
    “ Never better. Stop by tonight and—”
    “ Haley! Help!” Alex screamed from across the yard.
    Haley looked over just in time to see Lauren start to slide off her horse, just a few feet away. Wes rushed as fast as he could, but he was too late to catch her sister before she hit the ground. Haley had made it in time to be knocked down by her bigger sister.
    “What the—?” He rushed over just as Chase came riding up. Chase’s feet hit the ground before his horse stopped.
    “ Damn it! I told her not to get on a horse today.” He rushed over and took his wife into his arms. Looking up to Alex, he said, “Water. Now!”
    By the time Alex came back with a large glass of water, Lauren was already sitting up, apologizing.
    “What the hell is wrong?” Alex blurted out. “She can’t be pregnant. She barfs, not faints.”
    Chase laughed. “Well, this time she faints.”
    “What?” Haley and Alex said at the same time. “Wait. What!”
    Chase smiled up at his two sisters-in-law and nodded. “Looks like the cat’s out of the bag now. I told her not to ride today. Him on the other hand, I told could ride.” He nodded towards Wes.
    Wes smiled and nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. Then worry filled his mind. “Is she okay?”
    Lauren nodded. “Just bruised my pride. I haven’t fallen off a horse since I was ten.”
    “It could be twins,” Haley put in with a smile. Lauren glared at her from her spot in the dirt. It was a running joke with her and her sisters. Twins ran in the family, and she knew it was just a matter of hitting the winning ticket. Maybe that's why Lauren was fainting now instead?
    “ That’s it for today,” Chase said, picking Lauren up before she could stand. “You are on bed rest until these spells stop.” He started walking towards the house as Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked over his shoulder. “Since we’re short two people, hop