Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I glanced back at the mare, who lifted her head and stared at me. “Tesoro.”
“Sounds Italian, if I’m not mistaken. What does it mean?”
I grinned. “Treasure.”
“I like it. What woman doesn’t want to be considered a treasure? Tesoro it is.”
The mare gave a little head bob, and we both laughed.
“I think she likes it.”
With a quick nod, I agreed. “I think she does.”
It only took a few seconds to get the mare to let me put her lead back on and head her over to where Lily was working with Juniper.
When Lily saw me, she waved a hand and took Juniper slowly around the barrels. I walked the mare around the large pen, and she stopped every so often to check out the action going on in the arena.
“You like him, don’t you, girl?” I softly asked as I raised my hand and slowly placed it on her neck. She jumped but stood still while she watched Lily and Juniper working. Whenever Juniper did something Lily wanted, she gave him praise and a treat. Some trainers looked down on treat training, and Lily didn’t do it often, but she did choose to use it on some horses.
“That could be you. You’ve got it in you. I see it. I just need you to see it as well. No one is going to hurt you, Tesoro. I promise.”
“She’s beautiful,” Lily said as she walked up to the side of the pen and brought Juniper to a stop. “What did you call her?”
Smiling, I watched as the horses stared at one another with curiosity. “Tesoro.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means treasure in Italian.”
“Treasure?” she softly asked. “That’s a beautiful name for her.”
Turning to Tesoro, I held my hand out in hopes she would at least smell it. When she did, I grinned. “She’s lost right now, but I know the moment she comes out of her shell, she’ll do great things.”
When I glanced back at Lily, she was staring at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I, um…nothing at all. I’m going to work him a bit more. Dad said you wanted her to watch us?”
Nodding, I replied, “I’m hoping she’ll see what life could be like if she simply let me get a bit closer.”
Lily laughed. “Dad also said she has a thing for Juniper, and I have to say, I think the feeling is mutual.”
“She’s interested, that’s for sure.”
Lily turned Juniper and started walking him around the barrels, then trotted him around the pen as I slowly walked Tesoro along the outside. The horse watched intently and stopped every time Juniper trotted by.
“You want to do that too, right, girl?” I whispered as I softly ran my hand down her neck. She let out a little snort that caused me to chuckle. I was pleasantly surprised she’d let me touch her as much as she had. Juniper for the win on the distraction factor.
When Lily rode up again, she brought Juniper to a stop. “You going to let her watch me cool him down also?”
“I think so. I’m going to stall her next to Juniper each night, and I was hoping we could put them out to pasture together. I think she needs a friend.”
Lily winked at me as she pulled back on the reins. “Everyone needs a bestie.”
Before she walked away, I called out her name. “Lily!”
With a quick glance over her shoulder, she asked, “Yeah?”
“Thank you again. For helping me when I was sick.”
Her eyes sparkled as the sunlight hit her face. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
I ignored the slight stab of pain in my chest as I nodded, unable to say anything else as Lily walked Juniper around to start his cooldown.
“Come on, girl,” I said, as I eventually took Tesoro’s reins and led her toward the barn, where Lily would be bringing Juniper. “Let’s admire them both from afar.”
Chapter Seven
LILY
I watched as Maverick started to lead Tesoro away from the arena and toward the barn. The name was beautiful, and there was something so sexy about a man who would think of a horse as a treasure. Especially a horse who was broken like that mare.
Following behind them, I walked Juniper to a smaller pen to let him cool down a bit more. The sound of tires coming down the gravel road caused Maverick to stop walking and me to look at who was coming.
Ben pulled up and parked his truck as I walked Juniper. He waved as he got out and made his way to the railing. When he saw Maverick, he frowned.
Maverick looked back at me. “Thanks again for letting us watch today,” he called, continuing toward the barn.
“Anytime. Will you be putting her out to pasture today with Juniper?”
“If you don’t mind.”
Smiling, I replied, “Not at all. I think he’ll be thrilled.”
Maverick laughed, and I couldn’t help but notice how the sound sent a little shiver over my body. I quickly ignored it and focused on Ben. He leaned on the top railing of the pen. I was still a bit pissed at him after our last conversation, and I could hear it in the cold tone of my voice. “I’m almost done cooling him down.”