Page 59 of Perfect Enough

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Sophia. I don’t think Josh has ever brought anyone to the ranch to meet the family.”

“Blayze,” he warned.

I felt my cheeks grow hot as Blayze held up his hands. “What? I was simply stating an observation, that’s all.”

“Right,” Josh replied, motioning for me to head out.

“It was nice getting to meet you, Blayze!” I said, before turning and heading out of the office.

Before Josh entered the hallway, I heard Blayze say, “She sure is pretty.”

“Bye, Blayze!” he called out loudly, ignoring his cousin’s comment as he took my hand, leading me down the corridor and outside, where two horses were tied up. Both lifted their heads, and the beautiful buckskin—obviously Charlie—started to kick at the ground as he bopped his head.

“Hey, handsome,” Josh cooed as he walked up to the horse. “Did you miss me?”

The horse snorted, and Josh laughed.

Next to Charlie stood Lou Lou. She was a beautiful paint who didn’t seem to care if I was there or not. She lowered her head and started eating hay as if to say as far as riding, she could take it or leave it.

I walked up to her and ran my hand down her neck, causing her to look up again. Those dark brown eyes met mine, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. I’d always loved horses, but something about this particular beauty had me thinking she could read right into my soul. She nuzzled her head against me and I instantly fell in love.

“Hello, beautiful,” I said softly.

Lou Lou stretched her neck to the side and lowered her head. When she moved it forward, I rested my forehead on hers and let out a long, contented breath. Was it possible for me to instantly feel a connection to a horse?

“She likes you. That’s a good sign.”

“Does she not normally like people?” I asked as I scratched between her eyes.

“She’s a friendly horse, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen her dothatbefore.”

Looking back into those eyes, I smiled. “We’re going to have fun today, girl.”

She gave a jerky nod and whinnied. Josh and I both laughed.

We soon had the horses untied and walked them away from the barn.

“Need help up?” he asked as he motioned to the stirrups.

“Nope, I’ve got it. Thank you, though.”

Slipping my foot in, I lifted myself, swung my leg over the horse and got comfortable. Lou Lou was just as Josh promised. She didn’t move an inch and sighed softly once I’d seated myself comfortably. Josh and I exchanged a look, and he chuckled.

“I think Lou Lou just found her person.”

Reaching down, I gave her a soft pat on the neck. “I’m okay with that.”

“Ready?”

“Yep!”

Josh led the way, and we traveled south of the barn to a well-used path. We rode in silence for a bit, and I was able to take in everything around me. The ranch was beautiful, but of course, all of Montana was beautiful. The sounds of the birds made my heart soar with happiness, and as we came to an open field, I gasped.

Right directly in front of us was a moose.

A moose.

“Holy shit,” Josh said as he brought his horse to a stop. “Are you seeing a moose? Tell me you see a moose.”