Chapter 52: Welcome to StayBack at the ranch, the moon was just rising over the western horizon. While Jenny opened the pasture gate to let the other horses return to the barn, Cole eased Apollo and Dahlia out of the trailer. When they returned everything to the tack room, Cole watched Jenny smile to herself as she lightly traced her fingers over the pattern on her new saddle. She looked up and saw him watching her. "It's beautiful and I love it. Thank you again."He nodded, pleased. "You're welcome. I'm so happy you like it."Jenny hugged herself stiffly. "And thank you for everything else, too. I mean, the presents of course, but for taking me riding and showing me the giant sequoias, and for dinner…" She trailed off, shifting her weight uncomfortably.Despite his words to the contrary, Cole could see she still thought of herself as damaged, still convinced that he saw her that way, too. He went to her and took her hand, lifting it to his lips and lightly kissing her pal

Chapter 54: Creating Good MemoriesThe following morning, Jenny heard Cole up bright and early. She figured he probably felt behind from the day they'd taken off for her birthday. By the time she'd thrown on some clothes and run a brush through her hair, he was already out at the barn. Peering out the window, she watched as he and Blue played fetch for a few minutes, Cole grinning in the morning sunlight. Gosh, he's handsome. She felt a flutter in her stomach as she recalled the touch of his lips. She also noticed the tingle lower down. Absently, she gnawed on the corner of her thumb. Yesterday he'd said that he was attracted to her. It was almost too much to believe, too much to hope for. But his kiss had been full of gentle passion. Maybe it was time to take the next step. Was it possible to exorcize bad memories by creating good ones? On a whim, she pounded back up the steps and headed straight to Cole's room. Within a couple of minutes, she found what she wanted,

Chapter 56: ChoosingLate that evening, Cole sat in the leather chair in the corner of his bedroom, an open book resting on his lap. But he realized that he hadn't read a line in the last fifteen minutes. His thoughts were on the day, on the possibility of new clients, on the delicious pot roast dinner…and on Jenny. He was falling in love with her, he knew it. And he felt the same from her. Theirs was such an odd situation, though. She was, for all intents and purposes, on the run. And no one except Cole knew who and where she was. At some point, she'd have to agree to go to the authorities. Undoubtedly, there was an open investigation into her whereabouts. Not to mention the fact that she had insight into a serious criminal enterprise.Cole sighed deeply as he scrubbed a restless palm across his mouth. He didn't know what to do. So far, he'd done nothing. And inaction was action, wasn't it?A creak of a floorboard drew his attention to the hallway. Jenny stood uncertai

Chapter 58: An Unwelcome GuestAlthough he'd enjoyed meeting the Stevens family, whose new chestnut-colored Morgan was now riding in the old blue and white trailer, Cole was glad to be back on the road and headed home. He knew Jenny would undoubtedly be finished with the cupcakes by the time he got back to the ranch, and he decided maybe they'd grill steaks for dinner. Jenny. He felt the grin spread across his face. When she'd come to him the previous night, dressed only in his white dress shirt, he'd been beyond surprised. But just knowing that she was attracted to him, wanted him, in the same way he wanted her…And knowing about her past, the abuse she'd suffered. He shook his head. She was, without exception, the bravest person he'd ever met.When he was about ten miles away from home, his phone rang. Glancing down, he saw that it was Meredith Wagner was calling. "Shit," he muttered to himself. He picked up the device and swiped it on."Mrs. Wagner, how are you?""Cole,

Chapter 60: Jenny's Own HorseBy the time he got back up to the house, Jenny was waiting on the front porch wringing her hands in front of her. She met him as he stepped out of the truck."Is everything alright?"He nodded reassuringly. "Yeah, we came to an understanding." Unable to resist her worried green eyes, he pulled her in for a tender hug."I'm so sorry," she murmured against his chest.Frowning, he looked down at her. "Sorry? For what?""I'm sorry for causing such an issue.""Causing an issue? Meredith was the one abusing the horse. You did exactly the right thing, coming to tell me about it. I would never have imagined such a thing." He kissed the top of her head. "You're the hero in this story."He watched as she tried to suppress a pleased smile. "Really?"Cole had to chuckle. "Really. Come on, let's go check on Dahlia."Hand in hand, they made their way to the barn. Everyone seemed to have settled down to enjoy their dinner, even Sheba, the new addition to th