A Forever Kind of Love (Kinds of Love 1)

Carter's fingers untangled a long white lock of mane as he stroked the mare. “We'll find out when it's born.” He smiled at her. “You had riding lessons?”

“Yeah.” She looked at him, then at the horse, then back to him. “You don't really want to know my life's story. I'm sure it's not terribly interesting.”

“It is to me.”

“Okay.” She seemed to evaluate him for a moment as if deciding whether he was telling the truth or not. He grinned at her. She apparently liked it and decided he was really interested. “My mom had some issues, and I've never met my father. I was put into foster care when I was six. It wasn't exactly a happy childhood.”

“I'm sorry to hear that,” he said softly. She shrugged as if it didn't bother her, but he could see her in a new light. She fought for her kids because she knew exactly what it was like to be one. Her strength impressed him.

“When I was ten, I moved to a new foster house. The neighbors had a horse, and that summer, they gave me lessons.” Mia slowly pat Dreamer, as if the motion soothed her while she remembered. A slow smile came across her face. “It's probably one of the best memories I have.”

“Do you still ride?” Carter asked, watching her. She had such pain inside of her. He didn't know what made her so special, but all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and protect her from everything. He wished he could somehow give her a different, happier, childhood.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “The horse was sold that fall, so it didn't last long. I never really had the opportunity again.”

“You didn't ask for more lessons?” he asked.

“Oh, I asked,” she told him. “But I was a foster kid. There's barely enough money to keep a kid clothed, let alone get them expensive lessons.” She let out a mirthless chuckle. “I stopped asking after a while.”

Something inside his heart squeezed tight.

“Do you want to go for a ride sometime?” he asked, the question popping out before he had time to think about it.

She looked up at him surprised. “Seriously?”

“I'm always serious,” he informed her.

“That would be nice,” she replied with a smile. “I'd love to get back on a horse. Thank you.”

“It's a date, then,” he replied. He loved the way her cheeks pinked again.

“I meant, with the kids,” she stammered. “Because that's why I'm here.”

“Of course,” he promised. “Whatever

you want.”

Mia looked up at him and opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted before she got the words out. He internally cursed whoever was interrupting them. He was enjoying this time with her.

“Mia?” Lily called out as she came over, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the horse. “Laura says that's all she has for us today.”

“Already?” Mia sounded surprised. She glanced down at her watch and did a double take. “That went fast.”

Carter checked his own watch to see that an hour and a half had already passed. It had felt like only seconds with Mia.

“Okay, I'll be right there,” Mia told Lily. She pulled her hand away from the horse and turned to face Carter directly. “Thank you for the tour. I'd love to see the rest of the place sometime.”

“I'd like that very much,” he assured her. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled, and he liked the way it looked on her. She was open and easy to read, which was rare in Carter's world. Despite knowing her for less than two days, he trusted this woman and found himself looking forward to running into her again. His first impression of her had been right.

She hesitated for a moment, and Carter hoped it was because she didn't want to leave.

“I guess we'll see you next time,” she said. She smiled and then quickly went to join Lily. She put her arm around the younger girl's shoulder and together they walked into the barn.

Carter turned back to Hopeful Dreamer and smiled as he shook his head. He'd enjoyed their conversation more than he'd expected. It flowed easily, not to mention she was easy on the eyes.

“A woman is the last thing you need right now,” he told himself quietly. He would leave the ranch as soon as the threats stopped. For all he knew, things could be wrapped up and his need to be here gone by the end of the week.

For the first time since his arrival, he found himself hoping he got to stay longer. He was already looking forward to the next visit.