Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Hannah jerked upright when Flame took off toward her in a slow but steady gait.
Ben was riding off. What was he doing? But as she watched the cinnamon roan continue to amble forward with her head down, almost like she was embarrassed and uncertain, Hannah’s heart started to beat faster. She was coming! Was Flame finally going to forgive her?
She waited, holding her breath.
Keeping her eyes lowered to the ground, she let the mare set the terms. Sitting completely still, she waited to see what Flame would do when she reached her.
She didn’t have long to wait before the mare nosed her in the cheek like she used to.
Hannah didn’t even care about the horse breath that feathered back the hair on her forehead.
Flame nosed her again, a clear show of affection.
She hesitantly lifted her hands and placed them around the mare’s neck like old times. Sure enough, on cue, the mare helped her to her feet. Hannah let out a triumphant laugh. “You remembered! Oh, Flame, I’ve missed you.”
The mare nudged her in the side, making her snort.
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry I left you. I didn’t want it to be for so long. Will you forgive me?”
She dug out the plastic bag of raisins in her jean pocket, the treat she’d planned to give to Orion, and shook out a few into her hand after opening it. Flame immediately started nibbling at her hand. That was when she realized Ben had changed saddles. Oh, that sweetheart.
“Boy, did you hold out on me.” She shook some more raisins into her hand when Flame nudged it. “Talk about making me sweat. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to forgive me.”
A gust of wind rushed over her, making the sweetgrass dance and sway.
Somehow the act seemed like a sign.
She felt that particular shiver cover her skin, the kind that came when Sarah was making her presence known. “Since it seems you might have visited Mom, I was planning on coming to your special place, but it seems we’re doing this here.”
Another gust of wind, one harder than the last, rushed over the land.
“Like I don’t know what you’ve wanted all along,” she said softly in the quiet. “Care to give me a sign?”
The sun came out from behind the clouds and lit the meadow with the most beautiful yellow rays. Vivid greens stole her breath. Looking up at the big blue sky, her breath caught. A shaft of what she liked to call heavenly light rained down from a puffy white cloud.
Awe filled her.
Her heart grew bigger in her chest until she was filled to the brim with peace and love and every good feeling a person could feel. She tipped her head up to the sky and closed her eyes until she heard that inner truth she’d been waiting for.
I want to stay.
No matter what might happen. Regardless of what came. She would stand her ground and stay. She would love her man and work among the community she cherished.
After adjusting the saddle, she swung onto her horse and set after the first person she wanted to tell, the one who’d always had her heart.