Priceless

Chapter 19: Change of Plans

Nessa dismounted from Honey before reaching up to take the reins from Phil Patterson, holding Brooks steady for the man to climb out of the saddle. Thane had chosen different horses this morning, rotating through the herd to give them all a chance for rest and exercise. Brooks was a male, named after Garth Brooks. His counterpart for the day was George - named for George Strait, of course. Both monikers had been chosen by Troy, who still enjoyed the two country-singing legends.

"Thanks for squeezing us into your schedule," Phil told her as he swung a leg over the saddle. "I didn't expect you to have an opening so soon. Thought we'd have to wait until our next trip out this way."

He and his wife were the two who cancelled due to flight delays.

Nessa gave him a reassuring smile. "No problem. This day had been reserved for something that fell through, so we were happy to offer it to you."

His wife, Lezlie, carefully dismounted while Thane held onto George. She offered her thanks before coming to stand beside her husband. "Everything about the ride was wonderful. The scenery. The picnic lunch. The tour guides. You have a wonderful little business going on here."

Nessa glanced over at Thane, who grinned back. "It's been a team effort that's worked out well. We're glad you enjoyed yourselves."

Bailey emerged from the office then, limping over to the group. Thane introduced his brother and turned the Pattersons over to him so they could take the horses to the barn. Nessa waited until they were out of earshot before looking over at Thane with an amused smile. "A team effort, huh? That team was you and Bailey. I had nothing to do with it."

Thane shook his head. "I adamantly disagree. Bailey and I may have started the bones of the business, but you've given it the meat. We were liked well enough before, but since you started helping us out, people can't stop singing our praises."

"Just glad I can earn my keep," Nessa told him with a nonchalant shrug.

Thane rolled his eyes but refrained from any comment until they were inside the barn and had tied the horses to their stalls. Before Nessa could disappear into the tack room for grooming tools, he grabbed her hand, pulling her body against his so he could wrap his arms around her.

She smelled of horse and fresh air and sunshine, her cheeks pink from the warmth of the sun. The hat he'd given her at the Strawberry Festival corralled some of her curls, the rest falling down her back in a loose braid. His insides tingled from the smell and sight and feel of her.

"Bug," he began quietly. "I think you know by now I'd want you here whether you earned your keep or not. You stole my heart and I refuse to let you abscond with it."

She fought a grin, cocking an eyebrow. "Wow, that's a big word," she teased. "What are you saying? You're holding me hostage, even if I refuse to work?"

Thane shook his head. "No. I'd rather you want to stay, so I'm gonna do everything I can to make that happen."

"I think you've already accomplished that. If I was going to leave, I would've done it days ago. You're stuck with me."

He leaned in, his mouth just inches from hers as he whispered, "Just the way I want it." She did the rest, pulling his hat from his head as she wrapped her other hand around the back of his neck, pressing her lips to his.

Despite his efforts not to, a quiet groan rumbled from his throat. Even though she'd forgiven him well over twenty-four hours ago, this was the first real kiss they'd shared since the one in the pasture Sunday afternoon. Yesterday had been busy and exhausting after his late night with Kylie on Wednesday. He barely made it through dinner without falling asleep. And this morning had been the normal up-before-the-crack-of-dawn routine to saddle the horses and get everything ready before the riders arrived.