Chapter 14 #2
The compromise was so much wiser than what I would have expected from the Ephraim of even just three weeks ago.
I felt myself nodding, not promising more than I could give but acknowledging that he deserved a path forward, that I didn’t want to close the door on us completely.
“Then let’s take it one day at a time,” I suggested.
“No timeline, no expectations, just both of us doing the work we need to do.”
“That sounds...” he hesitated, searching for the word, “free. And terrifying.”
I laughed softly. “It’s both. But I think it might also be necessary.” I nudged my horse into a walk again, feeling the beginnings of hope mixed with the remnants of caution. “Now show me what you remember about jumping, Mr. Holt. We’re approaching some fallen logs up ahead.”
The surprise in his expression before he guided his horse to follow mine told me he was as unprepared for my joke as he was for the complex emotions we would continue navigating together in the days ahead.
But for the first time since leaving Eastern Washington, I felt the smallest spark of optimism about what we might discover, not about whether we would end up together, but about whether two people who had once known each other so well could find each other again across the chasm that had opened between us.
“Come on, cowboy,” I called over my shoulder, finding genuine humor in the moment. “Let’s see what you’ve still got in those skills that you think are so rusty.”
I didn’t look back to see his reaction to the playful challenge, but I heard him catch up, the horses moving in sync as we entered the denser forest, their breath mingling with the mist rising from the damp ground.
Our horses pushed forward, now actually running, their breathing loud, our bodies leaning with their movement as I led us faster through the green space.
Ephraim let loose a holler behind me as we came across the log, both of us urging our horses to make the jump.
One at a time, we soared over it. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt good.
We slowed our horses and laughed, just like we had years before.
It was a small step forward, but I felt the beginning of a connection that had nothing to do with the Holt enterprises or reputation, just two people rediscovering the joy they had somehow lost along the way.
“Okay, that was pretty fun,” Ephraim said, breathing almost as hard as his horse after their effort.
“I’d say so. But your form could use a little work,” I teased as I moved my horse beside his and we took a slow walk back toward the stables.
“I guess I will have to work on it then, because you make it look too easy.” The laughter that followed felt genuine and warm, a glimpse of a connection we once took for granted.
“Lucky for you, you’re volunteering at a horse rescue. The opportunity to take these beautiful and noble animals out is kind of a part of the job description.”
“Sounds like a win-win to me, then. I could use the practice, and I want to ride more.”
The banter felt surprisingly easy, like we were back in the days when he courted me. “I’m guessing you’re still going to need a chaperone. Harlan won’t trust you to take a horse out on your own. Although your work with Courage certainly has him reconsidering how you are with them.”
“That is more than okay with me. As long as I know the chaperone is you, I’ll happily take all the rides you offer me.” There was a playful tone to his words, but I could tell there was also a layer of sincerity there.
I laughed again, and it felt good. “Don’t think this changes anything between us, Holt.”
He smiled. “I don’t expect it to, Larkin. But it’s a nice start.” He paused before adding, “And one I’m incredibly grateful for.”
It was a start. Not that I had any intention of giving Ephraim anything other than time and my friendship.
But if there was to be any hope for us, it would come in moments like this.
Moments where we both left everything that complicated our lives behind, and we just had fun together.
And it would require patience as much as hard work.
And right now, I had enough patience to give him a chance to prove his promises were real, just like Courage was showing signs that he believed the world could be safe again for him.
But this time, I wasn’t going to blindly trust someone else to care for something that mattered deeply to me.
I was going to stay around and see the hard work for myself.
“Come on, Mr. Holt. Let’s go cool these horses down properly. Wouldn’t want the horses to think you’re one of those reckless cowboys they see in all the movies.”
He grinned in response, and for a moment, it was just the two of us, riding together through the misty morning. “Yes, ma’am.”
I liked the sound of that, not because of the role it suggested, but because I was the one in charge, giving direction.
For too long, our partnership had felt like a monarchy.
I needed more balance if I was ever going to entertain going back to the life I left behind.
Ephraim’s small words were promising, even if I knew it wasn’t going to be a simple road to travel together.
I knew him well enough to know that it wasn’t going to be smooth, and I wasn’t going to ask for it to be.
But he was making an effort, and I knew myself well enough to know that was worth the chance it would lead to more.
And at the end of the day, if this ride didn’t prove one single thing other than I loved horses, that would still be a success.