Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas #3)(59)

Smiling, I saw tears fill Scott’s eyes as he paused. It was as if he was drinking in the memory. “Blazin’ leaned as far down as she could and Lauren rubbed her neck. Then she wrapped her arms around Blazin’s neck and that damn horse lifted Lauren right off the stool. My first instinct was to run in there and grab Lauren, but something held me back. Lauren held on for dear life as her laughter filled the barn. A few other horses snickered as if they knew what was passing between Blazin’ and Lauren. Slowly setting her back down on the stool, Blazin’ snickered and bobbed her head at Lauren who laughed again, then proclaimed that she was going to love Fire Girl for the rest of her life.”

A tear threatened to spill from Scott’s eyes before he quickly wiped at his eyes. “She’s always been fearless like that, Colt. Always. The first horse she was ever one, was Blazin’ Fire. That damn horse moved like she was walking on a cloud anytime Lauren was on her. No one else could ride her. I mean no one. I came out of the barn one day when Lauren was around eleven. She was riding up from the pasture on her Fire Girl. Those two were inseparable.”

Nodding my head, I whispered, “I remember.”

Glancing at me, Scott said, “Yes, you would remember because wherever Lauren was, you were there, too. The two of you, training horses and pushing things always to the limits. It’s always scared me.”

Scott let out a chuckle. He was about to say something else when a look of fear crossed his face. Dropping his face into his hands he let out a frustrated moan. “Dear God, what have I done?” Slowly shaking his head, Scott dropped his hands. “I did tell Lauren that.” Scott’s face was pained and my heart broke for him. “I also mentioned you when I told her that. I mentioned you taking over the ranch someday.”

My mouth went dry and I had a hard time swallowing. Shit.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. “All right. Have Lauren help with the stallion. I’m trusting you on this, Colt. That girl is my . . . she’s . . . if anything ever happened to her.” Scott’s voice cracked.

Standing, I nodded my head as I attempted to push down my own fears. “Believe me, sir. Lauren is the very air I breathe. Without her with me, I honestly don’t think I could go on. I will do everything in my power to always keep her safe.”

Getting up, Scott reached for my hand. His grip was firm and he shook my hand quickly before dropping it. “I know you will, Colt. I appreciate your love for my daughter. I want to tell you how lucky you are to have her, but I’m sure you know that. Just know, Colt, she is also the lucky one as well.”

By the time I walked out of Scott’s office, it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Scott wasn’t holding Lauren back because he thought she couldn’t handle the task. He was holding her back out of fear of something happening to her.

Pulling the baseball cap out of my back pocket, I slipped it on and headed back to the barn with a smile plastered on my face. All I could see was my future with Lauren. Her and I together, working on the ranch and starting our own family here. Watching our own daughter someday fall in love with the horses.

Stepping into the barn my happiness quickly disappeared when I saw Rachel and her father standing there talking to Ryan, Scott’s trainer.

Fuck. Just when life seemed to be going in the right direction. Rachel glanced over to me and smiled as she winked, then licked her lips. Rolling my eyes, I turned and headed into the tack room. Shutting the door, I pulled out my phone and sent Lauren a text.

Me: Talked to your dad. He loves the idea of us working on the stallion together!

Lauren: What? Are you serious?

Me: Yep. And we are going to Kentucky twice this summer and New York.

Lauren: That’s amazing Colt! I can’t wait to get home now!

Smiling, I dropped my head back against the door and prayed like hell Rachel would be gone by the time I stepped out of this room.

Jumping when someone knocked on the door, I heard her voice. “Colt? Colt are you in there?”

Glancing back down at my phone I knew what I had to do.

Me: Rachel is here at your dad’s. Looks like her father is dropping off a horse

Lauren: Yeah, I know. I scheduled it before I left. I love you, Colt Mathews

Letting out a chuckle I whispered, “Damn, I love you.”

Me: I love you more.

Opening the door quickly, Rachel let out a yelp and jumped back as she looked behind me into the room. “Who were you talking to?”

Walking past her, I hurried over to a stall to start cleaning it out. “Lauren.”

“Right. Little sweet Lauren. How’s that working out for you, Colt?”

Turning around, I glared at Rachel. “Considering I’m planning on asking her to marry me, I’d say it was working out pretty damn good.”

Rachel sucked in a breath of air as she took a few steps back. Glaring at me with that look that used to make my skin crawl, she lifted her chin and whispered, “Your loss.”

Letting out a chuckle, I said, “Enjoy your afternoon, Rachel.” Turning back around, I began cleaning out the stall. Scott cleared his throat behind me and I glanced over my shoulder.

“Tell me what I just overheard was just simply a way of you getting Rachel to leave you alone.”

Laughing, I set the rake up against the stall door. “Yes sir, but, there is one other thing I needed to ask you now that we are on the subject.” Walking closer to Scott I gave him a huge smile.