She’d been the last thing on his mind before he’d finally nodded off and the first thing on his mind when he woke up that morning. He’d heard her loud and clear. She needed to take things slow. He wanted to take things slow too. They already knew they were more than capable of burning it up between the sheets, but there was something about her. This warmth and this light that somehow came with this biting humor that Sam couldn’t seem to get enough of. Sam wanted to know her and he wanted to introduce her to Majesty.

He came around the side of the stable and there she was, walking down the dirt path. Euca, their Aussie shepherd mix, was trotting beside her.

“’Sup, Tex,” Amanda called out.

Sam felt a smile stretching his cheeks out like a fool. He didn’t think he’d be this happy to see her, but there he was. Giddy as a motherfucker. “Morning there, young lady!” he called back. “Wasn’t sure you’d be up before lunch.” Sam walked up the path to meet her. Amanda came closer until just inches were separating them. Sam wanted to kiss her. Just pull her into his arms and kiss the hell out of her, but he wanted the next move to be her call. He knew what he was feeling. The last thing he wanted to do was come on too strong too soon and send her running back to LA before she got a chance to see one of the only horses he knew with a full-on attitude problem.

Her smile matched his for just a moment, before her expression dropped. Her intense gaze ran over his face and for a moment he thought she was about to relay the prophecy of his death. Then suddenly she reached up and lightly drew her finger along the side of his head. His skin instantly heated at her touch.

“You look beautiful in this light, Tex,” she said with wistful lilt to her voice. A smile broke out across her face again. “I had a dream I slept all day and then when I finally showed up you said I was too late to see the horses ’cause they’d been shipped overseas for the night.”

“I have no idea what that means, but I’m flattered that you were dreaming about me.”