“Maybe I don’t need to ride a horse. Maybe I just needed to befriend one and I think Majesty and I are working on something good.”
“Well then,” Sam said with a chuckle. His laughter died though as soon as Amanda came back to his side and took his hand. The warmth of her fingers sent a tingle up his arms and across his chest. He knew things were fresher than fresh between them, but he also knew how easy it would be for him to be with her like this.
Evie glanced down at their hands, then smiled at Sam. “Are you joining us for brunch? I’ve put together a pretty bomb-ass menu.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Am I?” Amanda asked Sam cautiously.
“You’re more than welcome to.”
“Oh no, I mean, if you’re cooking I don’t want to just—”
“I’m already cooking for, like, fifteen if you include what I have to make to get Jesse to four thirty this afternoon,” Evie said. “You’ve met Jesse?”
“I have. And I saw him eat a whole tub of cheeseballs by himself last night.”
“See? One more mouth won’t matter. Trust me. Plus, Sam gave me his version of how you two got together. I want the deets fromyou, the legit horse whisperer. ’Cause I think you might have literally bewitched him and he just doesn’t know it.”
“Evie, please,” Amanda hissed. “You’re spilling all my secrets.”
“Oh yeah, you’re coming. Let’s go.” Evie grabbed Zach and they started back toward the lodge. Sam turned to follow but Amanda held him back.
“Are you sure it’s okay? I just came down here to sleep mostly. Check out the spa. I do not want to intrude on family time again.”
“I promise. It’s fine. And Vega will be there too. My grandmother loves a full house,” Sam said.
“Right, your grandmother. Thee Leona Lovell. You want me to just walk up into her house, last minute, for a family brunch.”
Sam reached down and took both her hands. “I am not saying this as some corny bullshit to convince you to come along just because I want you there. My grandmother is going to love you. There is a chance by the end of the day she may love you more than me.”
“Are you the favorite?” she asked with that megawatt smile.
“Depends. I’m my mom’s favorite for sure. My grandmother sometimes favors Jesse, but then Lilah moved in, took everyone’s fucking shine.”
“Poor baby.”
“Come on.”
“Wait. You also didn’t mention that Evie freaking Buchanan was your sister-in-law.”
“Soon-to-be, though most everyone here acts like they are already married. I didn’t knowtomention it.”
“Are you related to any other super famous, amazing Black women?”
“My mom is a former Miss California, but she won’t be at brunch. That’s all I got.”
Sam laughed as soon as Amanda sucked her teeth. “Let’s head back to the house.”
She glanced over her shoulder, back toward the pasture. “Wait one sec.”
“Sure, what—” He looked over as Bam Bam came over to the fence. Amanda dropped his hand and went back over to greet the young colt.
“Hey, bud. I saw you over there, but I wanted to give you your space. You’re special, aren’t you? A little shy maybe, but everyone loves you ’cause you’re so handsome.”
“You should take Bam Bam out on the trails, Amanda. He’s been great to ride,” Evie called back. Amanda gave him a parting stroke of his nose, then jogged back to catch up with them.
“Maybe if I come back again. Still a little nervous about the whole getting-on-the-horse part.”
“After what I just witnessed that makes not a lick of sense, but whatever you want,” Evie laughed.