He reached past her to grab a curry brush, his chest briefly pressing against her back. Alice's breath caught at the contact, but he was already moving away, all business now. "Start with grooming. Circles, like this." He demonstrated on a nearby saddle pad, his hands moving in practiced motions.

"Really? I can't just hop on and go?" Alice teased, taking the brush. Her fingers brushed his as she accepted it, and that familiar spark flickered between them.

"Patience, sweetheart." His voice carried a hint of authority that made her stomach flip. "Grooming builds trust. Shows them you care." He paused, watching her test the brush against her palm. "Besides, you're going to need to know all this when you're here full-time."

The casual mention of their future sent a warmth through her chest. Alice turned the brush over in her hands, studying it. "When did you learn to ride?"

"I was four." Clayton leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Dad put us on old Blue and said 'hold on.' Different times." His lips quirked. "You're getting the luxury treatment."

"Oh, I'm special then?" She raised an eyebrow, stepping closer.

"Very." He caught her waist, pulling her in. The brush clattered forgotten to the floor as his mouth found hers, hungry and insistent. Alice melted into him, fingers curling into his shirt.

When they broke apart, both slightly breathless, Clayton rested his forehead against hers. "We should probably actually start that lesson," he murmured, though his hands stayed firmly on her hips.

"Probably," Alice agreed, making no move to step away. "But I'm pretty comfortable right here."

Clayton's chuckle rumbled through his chest. "You're trouble, you know that?"

"Mm. But I'm your trouble." She pressed one more quick kiss to his lips before reluctantly stepping back. "Okay, teach me about horses, cowboy. Show me how to make Halo love me as much as you do."

"That's impossible," Clayton said softly, reaching down to retrieve the brush. But his eyes held such tenderness that Alice felt her heart skip. "But we'll get you close enough."

Clayton's hand covered hers on the brush, guiding her movements over Halo's gleaming silver coat. "Like this," he murmured, close enough that his breath stirred her hair. "Firm but gentle. Horses can feel your energy—if you're nervous, they get nervous."

Alice tried to focus on the circular motions, but Clayton's proximity was distracting. His chest pressed against her back, his other hand resting lightly on her hip. "Is this how you teach all your students?" she teased, leaning back slightly.

"Only the pretty ones," he shot back, then laughed when she elbowed him. "I'm kidding. You're my first student, actually."

"Really?" Alice turned her head to look at him, surprised. Was he lying?

"Really." His expression softened, a slight hesitation. "Never wanted to teach anyone before. But I like the idea of sharing this with you. Building something together."

The sincerity in his voice made her throat tight. She turned back to Halo, blinking rapidly. The mare stood quietly, seeming to enjoy the attention. "She's so calm," Alice observed, changing the subject before emotion overwhelmed her.

"She's perfect for beginners. Trained well. Gentle, patient." His thumb traced small circles on her hip. "Cost a fortune that little horse, but worth every penny to see your face light up."

"Clayton..." She started to protest, but he shushed her.

"Let me spoil you a little, baby. God knows you deserve it after everything." His voice dropped lower, serious now. "After what happened with your dad, with Phill..."

Alice's hand stilled on Halo's coat. "Don't," she whispered. "Not now. This moment is perfect—let's not ruin it with ghosts."

Clayton pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're right. I'm sorry." He stepped back, leaving her suddenly cold. "Come on, let me show you how to saddle her up. Though I think we'll start with just the basics today—walking, stopping. Maybe a little trotting if you're feeling brave."

"What if I fall?"

"Then I'll catch you." He said it simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I'll always catch you, Alice."

She turned to face him fully, struck by the quiet certainty in his voice. In that moment, surrounded by the earthy scents of hay and leather, with Halo's steady presence beside them, Alice felt the last of her walls crumbling. This was home. This was where she belonged.

"I know," she whispered, and reached for him.

***

"Keep your heels down," Clayton called from the center of the round pen, his voice steady and sure. "That's it—you're doing great, baby."

Alice gripped the reins tighter as Halo walked sedately along the fence line. The height was dizzying, making her stomach flutter, but there was something empowering about being astride such a powerful animal. She tried to remember everything Clayton had taught her in the last hour—back straight, shoulders relaxed, heels down.

"I feel like I'm going to slip off," she admitted, though Halo's gait remained smooth and even.

"You won't." Clayton's eyes never left her, tracking every movement. "Trust your mare. Trust yourself." He clicked his tongue, and Halo's ears pricked forward. "Want to try a little faster?"

Alice's heart jumped. "I don't know if—"

"You can do it." His voice held that tone of absolute certainty that made her believe anything was possible. "Just squeeze with your calves, like I showed you. Halo knows what to do."

Taking a deep breath, Alice pressed her legs against the horse's sides. Halo immediately picked up a faster walk, nearly a shuffle. The movement was different, more pronounced, and Alice found herself instinctively moving with it.

"That's my girl," Clayton praised, and Alice wasn't sure if he was talking to her or Halo. "Now relax your hands a little—you're doing great, but you're holding the reins too tight."

Alice forced her fingers to loosen their death grip. Halo responded immediately, stretching her neck out slightly, seeming more comfortable. The mare's ears flicked back toward Alice, then forward again, as if checking on her rider.

"She likes you," Clayton observed, smiling. "See how her ears keep coming back? She's listening to you."

"Really?" Alice couldn't keep the pleasure from her voice. "I like her too," she confided, patting Halo's neck. The horse's coat was warm under her palm, alive with subtle muscle movements.

Clayton's expression softened as he watched them, something unreadable passing across his face. "You look good up there," he said quietly. "Natural."

"Liar," Alice laughed, but she felt a warm glow at the compliment. "I'm terrified."

"Being scared doesn't mean you're not brave." He stepped closer to the fence. "Want to try stopping? Remember what I taught you?"

Alice nodded, gathering the reins like he'd shown her. "Back straight, squeeze the reins, and say—"

"Whoa," they said together, and Halo obediently came to a halt.

The pride in Clayton's eyes made Alice's heart swell. He walked over, reaching up to squeeze her knee. "Perfect. Ready to get down?"

She nodded, suddenly aware of how much her muscles ached from the unfamiliar position. Clayton stepped close, hands finding her waist. "Just swing your leg over and slide down. I've got you."

Alice did as instructed, and found herself wrapped in his arms, her boots barely touching the ground. She tilted her face up to his, flushed with accomplishment and something else entirely. "Thank you," she breathed.

"For what?"

"For giving me wings."

His kiss tasted like sunshine and promises, and Alice melted into it, aware of Halo's steady presence beside them, of the late afternoon light painting everything gold, of Clayton's heart beating strong and sure against her palm.

When they broke apart, his eyes were dark with desire and something deeper. "Let's get Halo settled," he murmured against her lips. "Then bed."

"Bed?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "Again?"

Clayton's smile turned wicked. "Yes ma'am."