Authors: Aliyah Burke
up the box.
―Good, I‘m hungry.‖ They entered the kitchen where she got plates
down and he reached for a mug to get himself a cup of coffee. ―How was
your show?‖ she asked as she grabbed knives and cream cheese.
―It was really nice. Ross got his woman to agree to marry him.‖ Ernst
said, pulling two glasses down for juice.
Kacy set the pitcher of orange juice on the table and sat. Ernst fol-
lowed moments later. ―Well good for him…them.‖ She took a plain bagel and
cut it open to put some whipped cream cheese on it. ―So three of y‘all are
married or going to be; who‘s next?‖
He looked at her intently even while shruggin‘ his shoulders. ―Who
knows? I am pretty sure it won‘t be Aidrian or Maverick.‖
So he isn’t planning on getting married soon.
Why that bothered her, she
didn‘t know. ―They have something against marriage?‖
―So they claim,‖ Ernst said as he bit into his bagel.
Kacy shrugged and concentrated on her breakfast. ―Well to each his
own.‖
―Where is this stable?‖ Ernst changed the subject after a few quiet
seconds passed.
―About forty-five minutes from St. Lucia‘s. Why?‖
―Just wondering. We should be going.‖ He nodded toward the digi-
tal readout on the microwave. Almost six-thirty.
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Standing, Kacy drained the rest of her orange juice and grabbed two
travel mugs. Handing one to Ernst she said, ―For your coffee.‖ Her kitchen
was once again spotless after a swift cleaning.
―Ready?‖ he asked.
―Just let me grab another shirt.‖ Kacy went to her room and came
back slipping on a button down–short sleeve shirt over her tank top. He
noticed she had also put on her boots.
―I am going to be the envy of all.‖ He kissed her again, this time lin-
gering on her lips.
―We need to go. I don‘t want to keep Adam waiting,‖ she said,
breathless when they broke apart.
―As you wish.‖ His hand stroked the side of her face. ―I‘m all yours.‖
Kacy‘s eyes flared hot passion before she gathered her control, but he‘d
already seen it. ―Later, sweetheart, I promise.‖ He kissed her again and
grabbed his coffee.
Kacy grabbed her mug, wallet, and keys, then went into the garage
after locking the front door. ―Do you want to put your truck in the garage?‖
―If you don‘t mind,‖ he said.
―Not at all.‖ Unlocking her car, she put in her coffee and reached for
his. ―Go get in and I will back out.‖
The exchange of vehicles didn‘t take long and soon Ernst was sliding
into the leather interior of her car as the door of her garage closed, locking in
her van and his truck. ―You have a sweet ride,‖ he praised.
―Thanks.‖ She put them on the road and within minutes they were
flying toward the orphanage.
―How long have you been riding?‖ Ernst asked after they had driven
in companionable silence for a while.
―About fifteen years. I love outdoor activities; and when a friend
suggested I try it, I found I loved it.‖ Kacy said, expertly maneuvering the car
around the curves that led to where a seven-year-old waited for them.
―Is there anything you can‘t do?‖ he wondered as she slowed down
to turn into the orphanage.
―Besides cook?‖ She laughed. ―Yes, there are a lot of things I can‘t
do.‖ Kacy stopped the car by the front and got out. Adam was waiting on the
step along with one of the nuns.
―Nice to know,‖ he muttered as he too got out of the vehicle.
―Kacy!‖ Adam shouted as he bolted down the steps into her arms.
She hugged him back. ―Hey, Adam. Are you ready?‖
He began to cough. ―Ready,‖ he said when he finished.
―See who came with.‖ Kacy pointed towards Ernst. ―Go say hi to
him.‖
Adam ran over to Ernst and hugged him as well. As the two males
began to talk, Kacy walked up to the Sister waiting there. ―Is he okay?‖ she
asked, concerned.
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Kind eyes looked back at Kacy. ―He has been coughing more, but he
is okay. Just take it easy.‖
―Okay.‖ Kacy blinked back tears. ―Thanks for letting me take him.‖
―You are the thing that makes him happy, my dear. Now, go and
have fun,‖ the nun said, kissing her on the cheek.
―I…we will. See you later today.‖ Kacy returned the kiss and turned
around to see Ernst crouched down listening intently to Adam.
Walking over to the men she was going to spend the day with, Kacy
put forth the question, ―Everyone ready?‖
Two pairs of eyes looked up at her, one dark-brown and the other a
pale, icy blue; both affected her heart. ―Yes,‖ they said together.
Parking the car in the empty lot, Kacy shut down the engine and got
out. Ernst climbed out of the other side and tipped the seat up to let Adam
out as well. The trio walked up to the stable.
―Patch!‖ Kacy called. ―You in here?‖
A tall burly man stepped out of the barn. ―Kacy, good to see you.
And you brought my favorite little rider! How are you Adam?‖ Patch knelt
down to shake Adam‘s hand.
―Good,‖ Adam said with a smile.
Standing, Patch looked over at Ernst who had taken up a position by
Kacy. ―Name‘s Patch. Who are you?‖ He offered his hand.
―Ernst,‖ came the reply along with a hand.
Both men sized each other up in seconds. Patch turned to Kacy and
said, ―I‘ll take Adam and we will get his horse ready. Kacy, yours is waiting
for you in his stall.‖ He put his blue eyes on Ernst and asked, ―Are you a
good rider?‖
―Passable. No cowboy, but I can sit a horse,‖ Ernst said.
―Okay, Kacy, why don‘t you get him on Rex?‖ Patch suggested as he
took Adam‘s hand and led him into the barn.
Kacy smiled at the retreating duo before she looked at Ernst.
―Ready?‖
―Absolutely.‖ Ernst winked at her and leaned down to kiss her brief-
ly.
Holding hands, they walked down the aisle of the barn. She stopped
by a stall and said, ―Here you are. This is Rex.‖
Ernst looked in at a nice roan gelding. The horse snuffed him and
nudged his outstretched hand. ―He‘s a beaut.‖
―His stuff is here. When you are done, meet us out front, okay?‖ Ka-
cy pointed to the equipment on a hay bale and waited for an answer.
Ernst nodded and slipped into the stall to put his tack on. ―Got it. See
you in a few.‖
Kacy disappeared. She went to the stall that housed the horse she al-
ways rode, a large bay Morgan gelding named, Bonfire.
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Soon, all of them were out front. Adam was already in the saddle of
his small paint gelding named Cyclone. Kacy had her horse tied to a hitching
post as she walked over to Adam. ―All ready?‖
―I‘m ready,‖ he said full of excitement.
―Good. We are just going to take it easy today, okay?‖
―I know,‖ he said. ―Ernst is on; let‘s go.‖ Adam picked up his reins.
―You two go ahead; you know where to go, Adam. I want to talk to
Patch for a moment, but I will catch up,‖ Kacy ordered.
―Bye, Kacy,‖ Adam said, nudging Cyclone and walking off. ―Come
on, Ernst. Follow me.‖
Ernst did after casting a look towards Kacy who nodded. Rex
stepped out easily and soon the two of them were out of sight.
―Thanks, Patch. I know how much this means to him,‖ Kacy told the
large man standing with her.
He smiled at Kacy. ―I love that little boy. This is on the house. Now,
go on and have fun. Just be back by dinner.‖
She hugged Patch and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
―And we love you. Sure you don‘t want to come?‖ she asked as she drew
back.
―I have work to do on some tack. Go on, now, get outta here,‖ he or-
dered gruffly, trying not to show any more emotion.
―I‘m going.‖ Walking over to Bonfire, she untied him and swung up.
As he began to walk off, she urged him to a gallop, and she was soon on the
heels of Ernst and Adam.
Ernst turned his head at the sound of approaching hoof beats. He
stared as Kacy and her horse came into view. She sat him like she had been
riding forever, her body moving fluidly with his gallop as they cut the
distance down.
―Hey, guys,‖ she said as she pulled the gelding back to a walk. ―Sor-
ry about that. So Adam, where are we going today?‖
―Let‘s take him to the river,‖ Adam answered.
―Okay, with or without the switchback?‖ Kacy questioned.
―With. I like that part,‖ Adam responded with a grin.
―Sounds like a plan.‖ They were moving across a field, so each adult
sandwiched Adam and the trio walked side by side.
The little boy chatted nonstop as they moved along and Ernst ans-
wered every question put to him. The child was amazing, full of questions
and his own theories on things. Kacy stayed quiet, but he could feel her eyes
on him over Adam‘s head. When he looked, she was watching him with a
longing expression on her face.
Winking at her, he smiled when she blushed and then looked away.
At the river, they trotted through the water and allowed the horses to get a
drink. They had been riding for about an hour.
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Adam wanted to go down the switchback, so Kacy took them around
there. In the open field, she allowed Adam to gallop, but only for a little bit.
Ernst kept pace with him and again was amazed at the boy‘s ability.
When Adam wanted to stop and just sit at the top of the switchback
for a while, he sat beside Ernst. Kacy smiled over the decision and sat
opposite them both, listening to the chatter.
After a while, Ernst helped Adam back up on the horse; it was time
to go down the switchback. ―How do you usually do this Kacy?‖ Ernst asked.
―Well, I usually go first, but you can if you want,‖ she offered.
―No, I‘ll bring up the rear,‖ Ernst said.
She shrugged easily. ―If you want. Ready, Adam?‖
―Ready,‖ his voice came.
Kacy led the way. Bonfire picked his way carefully and navigated
with ease. Adam did beautifully and Ernst found himself watching Kacy as
she sat on her horse. She was all he could ever want.
As the horses left the switchback and reentered the river, Ernst rea-
lized what he wanted. A family. Kacy and Adam would be a great start.
―You doing okay back there?‖ Kacy asked as she allowed Adam to
go on ahead.
―Just thinking,‖ Ernst said with a smile.
―About?‖ she prompted.
―The future,‖ he stated, looking her directly in the eyes.
―I see.‖ Kacy put her gaze on Adam who was looking at the wildlife
and scenery. The child seemed so happy.
―Can I ask you something?‖
Copper eyes swung back to Ernst. ―Go ahead.‖
―Why don‘t you adopt Adam? It‘s obvious you two love each other.‖
Ernst saw the pain flash across her face.
―I tried. But I wasn‘t good enough according to the state. Since I was
still relatively new in the work I do, they didn‘t think I‘d be able to give him
what he needed.‖ Kacy‘s voice.
He reached for her hand to squeeze. ―I‘m so sorry.‖
―Not your fault. Adam,‖ she said loudly, ―stay closer.‖ Her voice lo-
wered. ―So that‘s why I see him when I can.‖
Ernst didn‘t know what to say. ―For what it‘s worth, I think you‘ll
make a great mom.‖
―Maybe,‖ she replied softly.
―I‘m sure of it.‖ Ernst dropped it since Adam was waiting for them.
―Do you think the hawk will be there Kacy?‖ Adam‘s young voice
asked.
―Could be. Keep your eyes peeled for him.‖ Turning toward Ernst
she explained, ―There is usually a hawk sitting on a fencepost that we pass
right before the barn.‖
―I call him Raja,‖ Adam announced proudly.
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―That‘s a very good name,‖ Ernst agreed.
Adam once again dominated the conversation, pointing out trees,
plants, and flowers to Ernst.
Back at the barn, Adam stuck to Ernst and told him about the first
time they had seen Raja. The hawk had been there today again.
Kacy watched them, hovering in the background with tears in her
luminous eyes. The horses were put away and they said goodbye to Patch
before walking to the car. She had pictures of the three of them together both
with and without the horses.
Adam began coughing again. Kacy immediately gathered him to her
and rubbed his back until he stopped. His big brown eyes seemed tired. ―You
okay now?‖ she asked, hiding her concern.
He nodded. ―Kacy?‖ Adam stopped her with a touch.
She met his gaze. ―What is it Adam?‖
―Can I see Cyclone one more time? I forgot to say goodbye.‖
Kacy looked at Patch who stood there. He nodded. ―Sure. Come on.‖
His tiny hand slipped into hers and they went back in the barn. Cyc-
lone leaned down and nuzzled Adam as the child said his goodbyes. ―See ya,
Cyclone,‖ he spoke gently. ―Okay, I‘m ready.‖
―Let‘s go, then. Are you hungry?‖ Kacy questioned as they walked
hand in hand out of the barn.
―Sure am.‖
Ernst was waiting by the car. His eyes lingered over Kacy and the
boy with her. ―What now?‖ he asked as they got close enough.
―Food,‖ Kacy stated bluntly. ―This little man is hungry.‖
―Me too,‖ Ernst said with an easy grin. His eyes however burned a