“Baby, come here.” Callum’s voice breaks me from my thoughts.
Tana holds out her arms to take Ria. I walk over to the gate where Davey, Ty’s brother, stands nearby. The horse Callum is on used to be a bronco that Ty and Davey have been working with. Callum took a shine to him, and I wonder if he’s thinking what I’ve been thinking lately. I step into the paddock, knowing neither Callum nor Davey would let me near a horse that wasn’t tame in my condition.
The horse whips his tail, his ears up, and watches me as I approach. I move toward his side, careful to stay away from his legs, and Callum pulls his boot out of the stirrup. I hold up a hand to Callum. He clicks at the horse, then laces our fingers together. I slip my booted foot into the stirrup, and Callum lifts me up. My belly rests against the horse, who only sidesteps a small amount.
“Whoa,” Callum says to the horse as he keeps one hand on the reins. “What do you think, baby? Want him instead of one from Wyoming?”
I’ve admired this horse from a distance. He’s still a stallion, which is rare in rodeo horses, but that was one of the issues with him. He was too headstrong and was abused by a previous owner. Even though he’s a stallion, his temperament is calmer than I expect.
“That’s up to you, babe. We can leave him here and come get him next summer or spring and get one of yours now.”
“That’s a brilliant idea, nymph.” He leans down and kisses me on the lips before helping me down, making sure I’m steady on my feet before letting go.
I move away from him and the stallion and make my way back to the gate.
“Might want to hold on to him for us,” I say to Davey.
“I’m going to have him gelded in the next month.”
“We’ll let Callum decide.”
I walk back over to take Ria from Tana and head to the cabin. Butcher is waiting outside for me.
“Ridley called. Vegas has a suspect in custody. They were wondering if you could come make a statement again.”
“Who?” I ask, not sure I really want to know. “I mean is it someone I knew or just a crazed fan?”
Worry eats at my gut. My baby must sense my mood change because he starts rolling around, letting me know he’s there. Even Ria lays her head on my shoulder.
“Beau Traynor,” Butcher says, and it feels like the floor drops out from under me.
I stumble. If Callum wasn’t so close to catch me, I would have fallen.
“Whoa, babe, what’s going on?” He takes Ria from my arms, and I’m so glad because I’m freaking out.
“It can’t be.” I grip Callum’s shirt. “Beau wouldn’t hurt me at all.”
“What’s going on?” Callum looks at Butcher.
“Cowboy, they have evidence her ex is guilty.”
Before my eyes open,I can feel the calmness all around me. Callum breathes against my head as he holds me tightly, his hands resting protectively on our baby boy. Through the baby monitor, I can hear Ria breathing. I turn my head and notice she isn’t moving, so she’ll be out for a bit longer. My eyes focus on the curtained window. The sun is starting to shine, letting me know how early it really is.
In the distance, I hear Raine neigh. She’s calling to my soul, just like mine is to her. I ease out of Callum’s arms and place my feet on the cool floor. The November weather has been a bit on the warmer side.
Standing up, I turn back to the bed and look at the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving and being with. Callum’s hair is mussed from sleep. He wraps his arms around my pillow, pulling it close. I have to hurry if I want some time without him.
I’m in a white-and-pink pajama short set. Reaching for the chair, I grab Callum’s button-down flannel shirt. I walk into the living room to slip on my socks and boots, then head out just the way I am. Only a few hands will be up and working this early in the morning. I have a lot to roll around in my mind.
I need to process everything that has happened. I doubt it’s Beau. In my heart, I know it’s not him. He wouldn’t hurt me, let alone Raine. Besides, we parted knowing we’d never get back together. He’s not into me anymore. So why would he stalk me? What would he gain?
I walk toward Raine’s stall. She peeks out at me, knowing what we both need. Grabbing an apple and a couple of treats, I give her the special bites before slipping a rope halter over hermuzzle and clipping on a lead. I guide her from her stall out to the round pen.
I would love to take her out for a ride, but I haven’t told anyone my plans, and I won’t risk Kary or myself that way. Walking Raine to the side, I climb up the panel and swing my leg over her bare back. We circle the pen a few times before I lean forward and lie across her neck, just feeling her breathing as she slowly moves around. I give Raine her head so she can roam.
Lying there, I roll everything over in my mind.
I can go to Vegas now that they’ve captured Beau, but I’m sure he’s being framed. When I get there, I’m definitely going to speak with the investigators. I need to make it clear there’s no way Beau is smart enough to do some of the things that have been done to me. Besides, he’s so self-centered he doesn’t care about me or any other woman.