Chapter 13
Skyes POV
Te leaving Boring next week,” Caleb said, his voice softer than usual.
I Minked, setting down the empty glass I’d just dried. “Leaving?” I asked. “Like, for good?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I found a new job. It’s in Montana. Starts Monday.”
There was a pause. I waited, sensing there was more.
“If you’re up for it,” he said, eyes flicking down to his drink, “I’d like to take you horseback riding before I go.“.
He stirred the straw in his glass, not meeting my eyes.
I smiled. “Sare.”
His head snapped up. “Really?”
“Yeah. When?”
“This Saturday okay?”
I hesitated a second. “Should we invite Jessie too? I’m not great with horses.”
I grew up in Alaska, and we didn’t ride much. Our pack liked hunting more than horseback riding.
His voice dropped slightly. “Actually… I was hoping it’d just be the two of us. But if you’re more comfortable bringing Jessie, that’s okay too.”
Of course I understood what he meant. And maybe it was better to let him down in person, without dragging this out.
Caleb had a lot going for him–he was handsome, sincere, and a little awkward in a way most women would find endearing. But I didn’t feel anything between us. No spark, no pull. Not even the faintest echo of what I’d once felt for Leon.
Still, I agreed. Maybe it’d give both of us the closure we needed.
The next few days passed slowly. Every time the bar door opened, I’found myself looking up, half–hoping, half–dreading that the stranger would walk in again. But he never did. I started to believe it had really just been a fluke.
By Saturday afternoon, I stood outside the ranch entrance with Caleb. I wore a borrowed denim jacket, jeans, and boots that didn’t quite fit right. I hadn’t owned a proper riding outfit in years.
Caleb, already mounted, looked like a different person. There was something more confident about him up there–like the quiet guy from the bar had stepped into a role he felt fully at home in.
He offered me a hand. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I said, grabbing the saddle horn and awkwardly swinging myself up.
The horse shifted under me, but Caleb was already at my side, offering tips–sit up straight, heels down, keep a soft hand on the reins.
At first, I felt like I was bouncing in every direction. My thighs ached within minutes. But after a while, I started to get the rhythm of it.
“Not bad,” Caleb said after we’d been riding a while. “You’re picking it up fast.”
“I think the horse is doing most of the work,” I laughed.
We rode along a narrow trail lined with dry brush and scrubby trees. The sun sat low on the horizon, spilling warm light across the path. Wind tugged at my
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Chapter 13
hair, and for a moment, I let myself feel it all–movement, breath, freedom,
thought of Leon and Ethan then, of their wolves running wild through the mountains. This feeling, this wind and speed, maybe it was the closest thing I’d get to shifting again.
When we reached a hilltop, Caleb pulled us to a stop. We sat side by side, our horses flicking their tails at flies.
“Thanks for coming out here,” he said. “I know this isn’t exactly your thing.”
I glanced at him. “It’s not the worst way to spend a Saturday.”
He smiled, but I could see the nerves creeping back in.
“I meant what I said. I’ll always remember this afternoon. You on that horse…” He trailed off, then cleared his throat. “I don’t want to make things awkward. I just
stopped him with a soft voice. “Caleb, you’re kind. You’re good. And I know you’ll find someone who’s right for you. But it’s not me.”
He looked down. “Yeah. I figured.”
“But I meant it when I said I had a good time,” I added. “And I hope we can still be friends.”
He gave me a wry smile. “Friends, huh? Does that mean I get to keep the title of horse trainer?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “Best one I’ve ever had.”
We rode back in companionable silence. At the gate, I thanked him again and said goodbye.
By the time I got back to the bar, the sun had set, and the Saturday crowd was already rolling in. Jessie greeted me with a knowing look.
“Well, well,” she said, grinning. “Heard you went riding with Caleb today. So? Did sparks fly? Any declarations of love on horseback?”
“Shut it,” I said, tugging on my apron. “It wasn’t like that. We’re just friends.”
Jessie gave me a fake pout. “Boring.”
I rolled my eyes and moved behind the bar, quickly losing myself in orders and drink tickets.
By the time I’d made my third round of Margaritas, I’d almost forgotten the man from a few nights ago. Almost.
Then the door opened.
And he walked in.
Only this time, he wasn’t alone.
A woman was with him. Her arm looped casually through his. They walked close, heads tilted toward each other as they talked softly.
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