Enchanted (The Accidental Billionaires #4)(54)

“Horses,” I said breathily as I gazed at the pasture full of the grazing animals.

“I think you once told me that riding a horse on the beach was one of the things you really wanted to experience,” he said gently.

“I do.” I couldn’t keep the longing out of my voice. “But you said you weren’t the cowboy type.”

He shrugged his massive shoulders and grinned at me. “Turns out, you don’t really have to be a cowboy to ride. They take beginners. We’ll have a guide, but we’re going private. I bought out all the other tour spots. This excursion goes along a riverbed and comes out on the beach.”

My heart started to race as I looked up at him. “Really?”

I’d never imagined that there was actually a place where we could ride on a beach in this area.

Guess I was wrong.

What kind of research had Noah needed to do to find out how he could make one of my dreams happen for real?

“Really,” he said with a nod.

“And you’re okay with doing this?” It wouldn’t mean much if he wasn’t into it, too. I’d never want Noah to do anything that he wasn’t excited about doing himself.

He’d spent enough time catering to others.

“Baby, I’m ecstatic because I’m going to be watching you realize one of the experiences you want to have.” He didn’t look the least bit reluctant.

I love you. I love you so much!

The words wanted to escape from my lips so badly. The need to say them was pressing on my heart. “Thank you,” I murmured, playing it safe. I wasn’t sure if Noah was ready for me to blurt out those emotions.

Just his actions showed me how much he cared about me every day. But he hadn’t said the words, either.

I was completely mortified when I started to cry. It wasn’t a delicate, tears-are-falling-from-my-eyes-silently type of emotion.

Instead, it was a sobbing-like-my-entire-world-is-falling-apart kind of deal.

“Andie, what’s wrong?” Noah’s tone was worried and demanding as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I can’t believe you arranged all this for me.” I sobbed harder as I buried my face against his chest.

So many emotions were pouring from my soul that I couldn’t have stopped myself if I tried.

I cried for every bit of pain I’d suffered during my treatment.

I cried for every year I’d spent trying not to worry.

I cried for everything Noah had lost during his childhood and adult years.

I cried for any hurt I’d ever caused this amazing man because I’d been so reluctant to really love anyone.

I cried for the loneliness I’d felt on my travels, and when I’d felt lost.

But mostly, I cried because I felt so damn lucky to have what I now shared with Noah.

Connection.

Intimacy.

The man generally cared more about my happiness than his own, and that shook me to my core.

I’d pretty much spent my entire life alone, and I’d had no idea what it would be like to be so close to someone.

To put it simply, it was totally . . . sublime.

“Hey, don’t cry, Andie. This whole thing wasn’t meant to upset you,” he crooned in a low, soothing tone.

“I’m happy,” I choked out as I tried to recover my sanity.

“It sure as hell doesn’t seem like it,” he said despondently as he rubbed my back.

I pulled away and wiped my tears. “I’m sorry. Everything just hit me all at once.”

He frowned. “I’ve never seen you cry like that. I don’t like it.”

I beamed at him. “I’m done.”

“Thank fuck!” he answered in a relieved tone.

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I never thought I’d find somebody like you,” I tried to explain.

“A crabby workaholic?” he joked as he rested his forehead against mine.

“The most incredible man in the world,” I corrected. “Thank you for this, and everything else you do to make me feel special.”

“You are special.” His voice was firm and slightly censuring.

I love you.

The words were right there, hovering on my lips, but I didn’t say them. Instead, I pulled his head down and kissed him, pouring everything I felt into that one embrace, and then I pulled myself out of his arms. “I guess we better get going.”

“You okay?” he asked in a hoarse tone.

I took his hand as we walked to where the guide already had our horses saddled. “I’m fine, Noah. I really am.”

I cooed and petted my adorable palomino before I mounted, and then I watched as Noah got onto a big black gelding.

Truthfully, I didn’t have all that much experience on a horse, but riding on a beach had always looked so romantic.

Neither one of us was exactly a graceful rider, but we learned quickly, and laughed together every time we did something wrong.

When we got to the beach, Noah reached out and held my hand as we watched the motion of the waves together.

I’d never told him that part of my dream was actually riding a horse on the beach with a man I loved.

I looked at him and grinned as we moved along the sand.

Some realities were better than a dream.