Ignite

My phone buzzed as I picked it up and read the text message from my father.

Dad: He’ll cool down soon enough. Just give him some time.

Smiling, I shook my head and hit reply.

Me: I know, Daddy. He seems really tired.

Dad: It’s an off week. Why don’t y’all go somewhere, get his mind off of racing and onto other things.

My face blushed as I pursed my lips together. I knew my father wasn’t meaning it how I took it. The idea of spending some alone time with Emmit had me feeling all kinds of giddy.

Me: Emmit has a trip planned. He hasn’t said anything to me about it. I think it’s a surprise.

Dad: Let’s see if he can top the last surprise! Call me tomorrow baby girl.

Me: Okay, Dad. Love you and mom!

I dropped my phone into my lap and smiled as I thought back to the day I got Dakota, my brown and white paint.

“No peeking, Addie!”

I held onto Emmit’s hands as he led me down a path. I hadn’t had a chance to wander around Emmit’s property yet, but I did know he had a small track for racing go-carts, a barn, a large tank filled with bass, and a range he used for shooting his bow.

“I’m not peeking I promise!” I said with a giggle. Tak

ing in a breath, I snarled my lip. Did Emmit have cows?

“Is that cow crap I smell?”

Emmit laughed and said, “Close . . . but not close enough.”

We came to a stop and my body shuddered when I felt Emmit’s lips against the sensitive skin under my ear. “Are you ready?”

Nodding my head like a five year old in a candy store, I quickly said, “Yes! I’ve been ready.”

The moment the blindfold was removed, I took a second to adjust my eyes. Looking over Emmit’s shoulder I saw her. A beautiful brown and white paint horse. Robby Quick, who was a part of Emmit’s pit crew, stood next to her holding her reins.

My hands went to my mouth as I tried like hell not to cry. Emmit placed his hand on my lower back and guided me over to her. “She’s yours, baby.”

It felt as if I was walking on cloud nine as I walked right up to her and ran my hand over her beautiful body. Bobbing her head, she let out a whine and turned to me.

“What’s her name?” I asked, as I looked her over.

Emmit walked up and gave her a good pat. “Dakota.”

Leaning in closer to her, I pressed my face into her side and took in a deep breath. My face was beginning to hurt from smiling so big.

Turning to Emmit, I threw myself into his arms and buried my face into his neck. “Oh, Emmit! She’s beyond beautiful! Thank you!”

Emmit spun me around as he laughed and said, “I’m so glad you like her, pumpkin.”

The moment my feet touched the ground again, I turned back to my beauty. “Like her? I love her!”

“What’s the smile for?”

Emmit’s voice pulled me from my memory as I glanced up and took in his beautiful sight. His body was perfect. He worked out six days a week, and ran at least two miles. Lola and I did good trying to keep up with him on his runs. I was pretty sure she was happy when I came into the scene since my stride was much slower than Emmit’s. He ran circles around me.

“I was thinking back to the day you gave me Dakota.”