Feeling his eyes on me, I lifted my chin and met Hunter's piercing blue gaze. "Think they'll be back?"

"Doubtful."

"I'm sorry." It seemed the appropriate thing to say.

"I'm not." Hunter pulled out his wallet and withdrew a twenty-dollar bill and took my hand as a waiter in a tuxedo was heading our way. Just before he set the money he looked all of the sudden uncertain. "Do you want to stay here?"

I didn't hesitate. "No."

He dropped the money and we left, stopping briefly to offer an apology to the hostess who stared at Hunter like she wished she was the one leaving with him.

"Should we check on them?" I asked once we were outside.

"Troy sent a text. He's taking Renee home." He glanced down, studying me. "I'm sorry."

I still couldn't believe this—our dates and my reaction. Relief and anticipation. The former was because I didn't have to pretend to be interested in anyone but Hunter, and the latter because I sensed something in the way he was looking at me that left me breathless.

"You said you weren't sorry."

"I don't like to see you upset," he said quietly, lightly nudging his shoulder against mine.

"What're the odds?" I whispered, since screaming I only want you seemed a bit much. "One day this will be a wildly entertaining story."

His slow smile made my stomach dip. "Because of us, they're talking again. We're not bad at this matchmaking business."

"Hunter, our dates are going home with each other. Not us."

He chuckled.

We stood on the sidewalk beneath the starlit sky, staring at each other.

Swallowing hard, I spoke. "You don't have to pretend. I hope you're not too disappointed."

"Same. I know you were into this."

"You weren't?" My eyes widened.

"No."

"Of course," I laughed. "You need no help finding dates. The hostess would love to go out with you." I hooked my thumb in the direction of the restaurant. "I can go talk to her for you."

Surprise and something else glinted in his eyes. "I was hoping to take you out to dinner." He let out a low breath. "Or I can take you home. It's up to you."

The way he appeared unsure of my answer softened my heart like warm melted butter. "Yes. I, uh, I thought since we left you were done with dinner."

His brow furrowed. "You wanted to stay here?"

"No. This place isn't my style, but I thought it might be yours and you wanted to leave."

"We can go wherever you want after I make one stop," he said, his hand on the small of my back as he led me to his truck. "I need to check on one of the mounted patrol deputies at the fairgrounds."

Memories flashed back—the smell of popcorn, turkey legs, horses, lights from the carnival rides, and laughter. "Kyle and I snuck out and went to the fairgrounds for the rodeo once when we were kids."

As soon as I said it, I regretted bringing up anything that would make him question my past. Darryl was the last thing I wanted to think about now.

Hunter seemed to realize this because all he said was, "Lucy always loved it."

We fell into a comfortable silence on the short ride. Hunter drove past the general parking and parked in the back with the horse trailers.

"Are we going to get to see the horses?" I asked excitedly, hopping from the truck and taking in the sights.

"Yes," he called. "Careful where you step there's manure."

"I'll be careful." Truthfully, a little manure didn't bother me but I wouldn't want to get it in his SUV.

Inhaling the scent of horses, I smiled. Next to us, a pale horse was tied to a trailer eating hay. He lifted his head and neighed a greeting as we passed.

His gaze moved from the horse back to me. "You like horses?"

"I've never actually been around them, but they've always fascinated me. Kyle too. We used to walk past a pasture on the way to school, and we'd stop and watch them run."

"We can ride if you like. I just need to check Fletcher's shoe."

"Fletcher is your deputy?"

"No, he's a horse. Collins is the deputy."

"I heard my name," a young officer said walking up and shaking Hunter's hand. "I'm sorry to interrupt your date, Captain."

"You didn't," Hunter assured with an easy smile walking to the bed of his truck and lifting a large wooden box.

Collins looked surprised as he glanced from Hunter to me. He tipped his cowboy hat, "Ma'am." To Hunter, he said, "It's the front left."

Approaching a blonde horse Hunter spoke in a low, reassuring tone, placing his hand on the side of the horse's neck. "Throw a shoe there, buddy? I'll fix it."

Butterflies danced in my belly at the sound of his voice.

"Think it happened in the pasture. Luckily, I found it before he was saddled. You going to introduce me to your lady, Captain?"

"Wasn't planning on it."

Collins's grin slipped as if he wasn't sure if Hunter was joking.

"Izabelle Huxley this is Mike Collins." He tossed the introduction out there as he lifted the horse's leg and examined its hoof.

"Nice to meet you." He reached out and took my hand, holding it longer than necessary, as if trying to goad his friend.

"You too, Mike."

Hunter watched the two of us. If I didn't know better, I might think he was jealous. Pleasure filled me at the notion of him being jealous, but I pushed the feeling aside knowing it wasn't what God would like.

Instead, I watched with interest as Hunter cleaned the horse's hoof and secured a new shoe on Fletcher as if it was something he did every day.

"You've done this before." I admired his fluid movements and the flexing muscles in his arm.

"A time or two." He lifted his head. "My family had horses when I was young."

Something I hadn't known about him. "Does Lucy ride?"

His gaze slid to mine. "Taught her when she was young."

"My man is a captain, farrier, horse trainer, and all-around good guy." Collins clapped his hand on Hunter's shoulder. "You can't do better than Hunter Donovan."

"Thanks for the sales pitch, but she's not my date," Hunter corrected, seeming embarrassed by the compliment.

"No? I'm confused."

He glanced from Hunter to me. "Our dates left with each other."

"What?" Collins's chest shook with laughter. "You gotta be kidding me, yeah, right. Wait. You're serious?"

Hunter gave a curt nod. "Go ahead laugh. We did."

Collins coughed into his fist, probably fighting the humor. "That's unfortunate. Hilarious, but very unfortunate."

"Izzy wants to ride a horse. Mind if I borrow Red for a spell?"

"Sure, he's your horse. He's not saddled though."

"Thanks." Hunter shook Collins' hand and finished shoeing Fletcher.

"You kids have fun," Collins' called as we walked toward a huge horse that was the color of a shiny copper penny all except a white patch on his nose.

Seeing Hunter, the horse's big brown eyes seemed to light up and he neighed. "Hey, Big Red, I've missed you, buddy." His voice was quiet and he stroked the horse's neck and pulled something from his jean pocket which Red eagerly took.

Seeing my regard, Hunter's face flushed. "Horse treat. He loves them."

"You carry horse treats around in your pocket?"

"Usually. I try to at least check on him every day. If I'm lucky, I get to ride."

"When Collins said Red was your horse, he wasn't joking?"

"I bought him a few years ago from an auction after a kill pen bid on him. He was only four but in really bad shape. Malnourished. Hooves overgrown. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to ride him, but there was something in his eyes... I couldn't leave him. For the first year, I had him, he was lame."

Blinking back the unexpected sting of tears, I watched Red's adoring gaze as he took his head and nuzzled Hunter with obvious affection. It was unthinkable that this majestic creature that radiated health was once broken and abused.

"You saved his life." One more attribute on Hunter's already glowing resume. "He loves you."

"He looked over at me with those big, brown eyes that night in the ring like he knew he was done. There's special about him." Hunter's gaze flicked to mine. "You want to pet him? Touch here."

"Yes." I nodded, eagerly, but I wasn't sure what to do. Taking my hand in his large, warm one, Hunter placed my hand on the horse. Red was soft and silky. "He's beautiful. I see why you call him Red."

"He's a sorrel, so yeah, the name fits."

"Sorrel is red. What's Fletcher called?"

"He's a palomino."

I continued to stroke Red. My smile was pure joy.

"Would you like to ride? We can eat first if you're hungry."

"Are you kidding?" I cried happily. "I would be a dream come true. I'd love to ride—" God knows I wanted that so very much. "But I don't know anything about horses."

Reaching out, Hunter brushed a wisp of hair from my face. My breath hitched.

His gaze softened. "I do. Trust me."

"I trust you." Soft, ragged breaths punctuated the words. "More than anything."

A low, deep sound came from his chest.

More than anything. Why had I said that? I might as well shout that I'm falling for him. Glancing away, I felt my cheeks heat with a blush. When I looked back Hunter was untying Red from the trailer.

He walked the horse a few feet, stopping at some steps, acting like the electrifying moment between us hadn't happened. With athletic grace, Hunter swung his leg over Red and mounted the horse then held his hand out to me.

"What do I do?"

"Use the steps." He gestured to the block. "Take my hand, and I'll do the rest."

I obeyed his instructions, ignoring the zing when our hands touched, and Hunter easily pulled me in back of him on Red. The horse didn't move.

"You'll have to hold on to me," He whispered near my ear, sending a shiver along my spine.

I wrapped my arms around Hunter's waist and pressed my cheek to his back.

He turned again. "Ok?"

"I'm good." I focused on the feel of the horse beneath us as he urged Red into a slow walk around the grassy field.

The sights and sounds of the carnival and rodeo were all around us. Laughter, an announcer on a mic, and country music in the background. I watched as the Ferris Wheel, glowing with lights, spun in the sky.

Hunter followed my gaze. "You like the Ferris Wheel?"

"It looks fun. Not as much fun as I'm having now though."

"We can go there next if you like."

"I don't know." My grip tightened around his waist. He was all muscle and I felt safe with him. "Ferris Wheel rides are reserved for cheesy, romantic dates," I teased.

"Yeah. I remember a movie scene that ruined the Ferris Wheel for all men."

I heard the smile in his voice. Soft laughter escaped my lips.

"Now all women expect a man to jump out of the cab, climb on the wheel, and declare their everlasting love. A man can't take a date for a few spins. It's life-or-death and undying love."

I laughed.

"Go ahead and laugh."

"My expectations are not quite so high," I assured. "But I don't think it's possible to enjoy anything more than this horseback ride."

"You're doing remarkably well without a saddle. Keep holding on to me."

A shiver swept through me at his words. Did he feel it?

"I, uh, meant most novices aren't as balanced as you."

The hint of vulnerability in his voice only endeared him more to me. "I suppose you've taken a lot of women on horseback rides."

"You're the only one, Izzy."

"Oh." I hummed with happiness. "I won't take that the wrong way."

"Take it however you want."

I was losing my heart to Hunter Donovan. It had always been him. Only this time I thought of God. Surely, He wouldn't want me and Hunter together.

Hunter dismounted in an easy move and held his arms out to me, which I went to without hesitation. Lifting me from the horse, he set me down, my body inches from his. We were close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him.

I drew an unsteady breath, my skin hot and tingly. My heart beat faster. Energy pulsed between us. I'd never felt more alive.

Looking up, my gaze crashed into him and I saw his desire. I felt it too. My lips parted. Hunter's gaze darkened. He said my name in a husky whisper.

His head lowered. Mine lifted.

Was Hunter really going to kiss me?

A moment later I had my answer.

Our lips brushed.