Unknown by Terry Towers Read Free Book Online Page B

night hadn’t been a fluke. He was feeling it then and he felt it now, just like her – the connection. The question was, would he do anything about it? If he didn’t, would she?
    “You ready to go for a ride, Princess?” There was no condescension in his tone this time and her smile widened.
    Funny how the way a word is spoken can change the entire meaning , she mused. “Can’t wait, Cowboy.”
    Laughing he gave her a wink, grabbed the reins of her horse and led her over to the black stallion that was to be his.
     
    ~*~*~*~*~
     
    Connor was experiencing feelings he hadn’t felt in years, not since Rebecca. He’d done a pretty good job of keeping himself secluded from any possibility of romance by holing himself up at the farm. He wasn’t sure the best way to approach the attraction; go for it or bury it deep. He was leaning toward burying it; starting something with her would be just too complicated and would only cause more problems.
    “We’re here.” He glanced over his shoulder to see Samantha bouncing on the back of Chelsea, a wide grin on her face. Sometime along the way she’d pulled the band from her hair. The light wind kept catching her hair, blowing it and around her face, but she didn’t even seem to notice or care; her eyes were too busy scanning the scenery.
    She looked so carefree and real at that moment, no pretenses or attitude – her beauty at that moment took his breath away. Feeling his eyes on her, she shifted her focus to him and waved. She didn’t even resemble the woman who’d shown up at his farm a few days prior.
    “Where are we?”
    Connor dismounted, and tied his horse to a nearby tree. Once done, he grabbed the reins of her horse and tied hers up as well, close to the riverbank so the horses could indulge in water of the cool stream. “I thought we’d give the horses a rest before continuing.”
    “Okay. My bum is starting to get sore anyhow.” She looked around her, her expression becoming worried. “Ummm, Connor, how do I get down?”
    Chuckling he reached up for her, preparing to grab her waist as she lowered herself from the animal. “Just swing your leg over my way and step down, I’ll catch you.”
    Samantha didn’t hesitate or second guess him. She swung her leg over the horse and literally fell into his arms. He held her tight to his chest for a moment before allowing her body to slide down his and to the ground. The apple scent of her hair taunted his nose and he leaned in, indulging in her.
    She spun around to face him and he found his lips mere inches from hers. His eyes dropped to her lips, which were lightly glossed, the only stitch of make-up she’d bothered to apply. He touched her cheek, sliding his thumb along her lips. Her lips parted slightly and when he raised his gaze he found her staring up at him, anticipation in her eyes.
    He clenched his jaw and with deep regret took a step away. The disappointment in her eyes challenged his resolve. “Come over here, I want to show you something.” He began walking to the bridge; when he didn’t hear her follow he turned back and looked at her.
    “Okay.” With a nod she followed behind him until they were standing in the middle of the bridge, which was just large enough to allow a single truck to drive over.
    “Look down into the water.”
    She stepped up to the rail and leaned over, peering into the clear blue water. The water was so clear that they could easily see down to the bottom. “What am I looking for?”
    “Just wait.” Smiling, Connor watched her expression as she patiently gazed into the shallow, slow-moving river.
    “Oh my god! Look at them!” A wide grin spread across her lips and she pointed to the fish appearing from under the bridge and down the river.
    “They’re rainbow trout,” he explained, enjoying her excitement. Turning his back to the rail, he braced his elbows on the rail behind him, crossing one ankle over the other. She was such a different person in this setting, the