Just Home for the Holidays - Deborah Cooke Page 0,51

sighed. “You have to recognize your strengths and I didn’t have what it would take to make that dream work.”

“So you let it go.” She put her hand over his and it felt good to have her support.

“We followed Hollis’ dream instead.” He frowned at the floor. “But when he died, there was no dream left.”

“You could have a dream of your own, Hunter.” She was chiding him gently, but Hunter knew he hadn’t believed that.

“I didn’t think so, not for a long time.” He took a deep breath and met her gaze. “But you’ve got me wondering, Chloe Richardson. Maybe I can come out here and ride once in a while.”

“It might be good for you to get back in the saddle,” she said.

“Ouch,” he said and winced. They laughed together. “Good one. It might be.”

“You never told me about the room service at the Beekman,” she said.

“Awesome. Best breakfast I’ve had in ages.”

Her gaze clung to his. “So, we’re just friends now.”

“I think it’s for the best, don’t you?”

“No,” she said to his surprise. “But it has to be you who breaks that last rule, if anybody does.”

Hunter stared at her, amazed. His world was yawning wide open with new possibilities, and this one was the most terrifying one of all. They stared at each other for an endless moment, then Chloe’s gaze dropped to his mouth. He watched her smile, just a little, then she leaned closer and kissed him.

And Hunter was gone. He was powerless against her, even before she raised one hand to his cheek, even before she twisted in her seat and wrapped her arms around him. He was lost before she made that little moan, and angled her mouth to deepen their kiss.

He thought about Chloe’s confession the day before that she could fall for him and realized that he’d already fallen.

Hard.

She was the One. The realization stunned him. He hadn’t even expected there to be anyone for him, yet here Chloe was, liking him just the way he was, fulfilling his fantasies and offering up a few of her own. He liked being with her. He liked who he was when he was with her.

And against every expectation, he wanted them to have a tomorrow.

That changed everything.

If Chloe was the One, then Hunter needed to lift his game.

He’d start now.

Chloe sensed Hunter’s nervousness and was glad to be with him. She felt honored to be sharing this reunion. He had so many secrets and she knew it couldn’t be easy for him to trust.

But he’d chosen to trust her.

It was a perfect day, sunny and cold, and the snow sparkled on the rooftops. They rode in silence after that kiss, hands clasped. When they left the city behind, she admired the rolling hills on either side, mixed with clusters of forest. Reg met them at the station and they piled into a pick-up truck, Hunter’s arm over her shoulders as if they were all at ease. He pointed out landmarks as they rode, even the farm his family had owned, and she liked seeing this part of his history.

Reg’s family farm was picture-perfect, with a red barn and a neat house. There was a riding ring and a large building that Hunter said was a riding arena. The fields were covered with snow, but they were extensive and neatly fenced. Chloe met Reg’s parents after they welcomed Hunter like a lost son. Obviously Hunter also knew several of the people who worked at the farm, but his gaze kept trailing to the barn.

“He didn’t come to see us,” Reg said, his tone teasing.

His dad chuckled. “I think she knows something’s up.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Hunter said, then turned to Chloe. “Do me a favor. Make a video for Char, just in case it doesn’t all go to hell.”

“It won’t, son,” Reg’s dad said and clapped him on the back. “I put out a couple of pairs of boots for you to try. They’re nothing like your dressage boots, but you can always buy another pair...”

Chloe was glad to have something to do. She began to film Hunter with her phone, trailing behind him and staying close enough to pick up the conversation.

The boots transformed Hunter, making him look taller and less urban. He took a couple of apples from his bag, tossed them into the air for the video and caught them like a juggler. He then pushed a hand through his hair, looking momentarily uncertain. She thought he muttered “here goes