Chapter 35
Cuore Selvaggio
Trevor
“What are we doing here?I thought we were going on a date,” Lynn says as I pull into the Monroe ranch.
I turn to her and wink. “We are. Our date is here.”
“Trev, I don’t ride anymore,” she says anxiously.
“I know, darlin’. That’s why we’re here.” I reach to lace my fingers with hers and lift her hand to my lips.
I hate that I rob her of this pleasure as well. When she told me she hasn’t ridden a horse since falling and breaking her wrist, I was both stunned and saddened. Lynn loved to ride.
I have a gift I want to give her. I think now is the perfect time. Two weeks ago, we found that spark that connected us. Or should I say that freed us. We have always been connected.
That pull was there from the moment we were back in each other’s presence. However, what we found that night at the Billings ranch was the thing that burns in us that consumes everything else until it shines brightly to the world.
That light that we can’t seem to hide. The happiness that’s infectious and spills out of us. My clients and employees keep mentioning that I seem happier and smile more.
It’s because of Lynn. She ignites something within me that makes me want to live life to the fullest. I want to challenge and be challenged when she’s around.
My heart wants to be wild and free. I want to give that back to her when it comes to horses. It’s time I erase the fear once and for all.
Our families own horse ranches after all. Horses are a staple in our lives. Her being afraid to ride doesn’t seem right.
“This place looks great. Cliff has done an amazing job,” she says as she looks out the window.
“He has. We have a few prized stallions now, thanks to him. You want a healthy, well-trained horse, you come to see Cliff.”
“I can’t wait to see the ranch look this good again. Daddy has been so excited about the improvements.”
“Moses is looking good himself. We’ll be done with the fencing by the end of the week. I just need your approval on the remodel of the main house and the upgrade of stables,” I say.
“Are you sure you can spare the crew for this? I don’t want to be a burden. I already know the estimates you gave were way underpriced.”
“Darlin’, I wouldn’t have charged you or your daddy a dime. You wanted those estimates. As far as the crew, the guys are happy for the work, and I have more than enough staff.”
“You’re already doing so much. You don’t have to finish the basement at the house too.”
“So we’re about to have our first fight?” I say with a grin.
“If I would have known you were going to start to build a studio for me, I wouldn’t have mentioned it,” she says and folds her arms under her breasts.
“I left the space in case you wanted one. I didn’t build it out because I wanted your input as an artist. Otherwise, you would already have one. I want your dream house complete, so I’m finishing the basement, Cakes. Get over it, baby.”
“Tell me that when you can work the way you do for a week without needing to soak in Epson salt every night,” she sasses.
“I don’t need to soak every night. I just like having your naked body in the bath with me,” I toss back.
“Well, if that’s the case, next week is gonna suck for you.”
“And why is that?”
“It’s feeling like a shower week for me.”
“Good, I love shower sex. It’s a great stress reliever.”
“Do you use lotion or shower gel? I’ll make sure the shower is stocked.”
I allow the laughter I’ve been holding in to rumble out. She turns to glare at the side of my face. I park and turn to look at her.
“That wasn’t so bad. We’ve had worse,” I say and lean over to peck her lips. “Now that we’ve gotten our first fight out of the way, can we start our date?”
She pokes me in my dimple, then moves quickly to bite my nose. I laugh even harder.
“Did you just bite me?”
“Yup.”
“Ah, there she is. My little brat.”
“I’m not trying to be a brat, Trev. I’m just concerned about how hard you work. Then you come home and give us all your attention even when it’s clear you’re tired. I love you. I want you to take care of yourself.”
“I’m fine. I love you too. That’s why I’m taking care of you and your needs and wants.”
“Promise me you’ll take some time off soon. We can get away if you want. I’ll take time too.”
“I’ll take some time once the ranch is complete. Are you sure you can take time to come away with me? What’s the word on the tour?”
She sighs and looks down into her lap. “Matt has bought me another month. I’ll be back on tour then. I’ll be doing my first few dates here in Texas for the first time. The dates are already sold out, which went a long way with the label granting me more time.
“I’ll be away for three months. That’s how long it will take to make up for the canceled dates. To be honest, I make more writing.
“I don’t have to tour for a while if I don’t want. I’m in contract for one more album. I can record that in the new studio when you’re done. Matt and I have been talking about my options from there.
“Podcasting has come up. Doing nothing is also an option. For the most part, three months and I’m home.”
“See you just admitted it. You need the studio,” I say and laugh as she frowns.
I peck her pretty lips and get out to round the truck and open her door. I help her out and lace our fingers together to lead her to the stable.
“Trev,” she says nervously.
“It’s all right, darlin’. I won’t force you to ride if you don’t want. There’s something here I want you to see.”
“Okay,” she murmurs.
Twenty years ago, I meant it when I said Cuore Selvaggio was hers. It took getting through some red tape, but I secured that horse and brought him here to give to her. I could never bring myself to sell him.
I’m glad I never did. Cuore Selvaggio’s children are among our prized horses. There was a time when he too brought us a few purses.
I bought two more Murgese horses to keep the breed going. Cuore Selvaggio’s bloodline specifically. It has always been my dream to reunite the two. If not Cuore Selvaggio, I would have given her one of his children.
It feels like divine intervention to be able to gift her the horse she fell in love with. My thoughts go to Sammy’s words. This was meant to be.
We get to Cuore Selvaggio’s stall, and Lynn freezes. She looks at him and then looks back at me. Cuore Selvaggio whines and lifts on his hind legs as if to greet her.
A gasp leaves her lips as his chest comes into view. I know just what she’s thinking. She knows this is the same horse. Her horse.
“Wild Heart? But how? That was twenty years ago,” she says just above a whisper.
“I had been negotiating to buy him when Fumo threw you off. Once we returned home, I kept at it. I couldn’t bring myself to sell him, so Cliff has kept him and taken care of him for me.
“I used to come to talk to him about you. We’ve become long-time friends. He’s been waiting for you to come home too. He has a few children here if you want to meet them,” I say.
“You bought me a horse?”
“I bought you your horse.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. He’s more beautiful than I remember.”
“He’s still in great condition. Would you be willing to give him a ride? I’ll go out with you.”
Her lips are trembling as her eyes fill with tears. I watch her closely. If she truly doesn’t want to do this, I’ll drop it. No matter how bad I want to fix this.
She bites her lip and nods her head. “If you can hold out hope that I’d return for all this time, I’ll ride the horse you bought me.”
“It’s like you said”—I reach for her hand and bring it to my chest—“I could feel you in here. I knew you would come back to me.
“Come on, our date awaits.”
* * *
Lynn
I can’t believehe bought me this horse. Like with Trev, it’s like no time has passed. Cuore Selvaggio and I have a bond that started from the first time we locked eyes.
Riding him has felt like coming home. Trev is riding one of his sons. He’s just as beautiful as his father. To say I’m overwhelmed with emotions is an understatement.
“We’re right up here,” Trev says as our horses trot beside each other.
We come out to a little clearing by a stream. The sun is shining down on the spot, giving it a peaceful glow. There’s a large tree near the stream that would be great for shade.
Trev hops down from his horse and ties him to a tree near where we just emerged from the trail. I climb down from Cuore Selvaggio and move to press my forehead to his. I can feel that he’s a much tamer horse, but his spirit was never broken in the process.
“We’re one and the same, aren’t we? I’m so glad I’ve found you again. I’ve missed this,” I whisper to him.
He releases a whine and snorts. I stroke his nuzzle, then give his neck a pat. In this moment, I have more peace than I’ve ever had.
“Here.”
I look up to find Trev holding out an apple for me to give to Cuore Selvaggio. I take it and give it to my horse. I turn and watch as Trevor lays out a blanket and starts to set up our date.
He has placed the blanket right under the tree by the stream. While taking food out from the basket he brought along, he pauses and takes off his Stetson to brush his forearm across his forehead.
I noticed he got another haircut the other day. There’s just something about it that’s so attractive on him. I knit my brows in thought.
This man is so loving, protective, kind, and caring. To buy me a horse I met twenty years ago and keep him for me all that time is something I’m still wrapping my head around. The house was one thing.
Even going as far as to build me a basement, which is rare in Texas. However, nothing about that home is ordinary. He put thought into every detail.
“Hey, you coming over here?” he calls breaking into my thoughts.
I blink back my thoughts and focus on him. Reality sets in. This was done to us.
Our love never died. It never wanted to end. It’s not right and someone should pay.