“Ah, okay.” a confused Nick answered “What is that?” Nick asked Colby

  “CeCe and Greg tell me that you are the best there is with a troubled horse.”

  “They are right.” replied Dalton as Sarah and Lindsay nodded. Nick looked a little shy at all the praise but asked how he could help.

  “I have a horse that I can’t ride. He is young and was probably mistreated by a previous owner. Would you work with him and see if you can train him so I can ride him?”

  “I’ll be glad to look at him.”

  “He is at my ranch outside of Las Vegas; would you be able to look at him this weekend? All of you could come tomorrow and we can have a day of it.” Colby said including Greg, CeCe, Dalton, Sarah and Lindsay in his invitation

  Nick looked at everyone and they all nodded at him. “Tomorrow?” he asked and they nodded again.

  “That would be great. CeCe and Greg know where the ranch is and you all come out tomorrow whenever you want and stay the day.”

  “Thank you.” Nick said to Colby as he shook his hand.

  “Thank you for looking him over.”

  “Sure, we will see you tomorrow.” Nick said as they all left the dressing room. “Can someone tell me what that was all about?” Nick said

  “I’ll tell you.” CeCe replied taking Nick’s arm “Colby is my cousin. We were at his ranch a few weeks ago and he was telling us about this horse. One thing and another, I called Sarah to ask if you would look at the horse. She told me about the birthday trip and so we set this up.”

  Nick looked at Lindsay “Did you know about this?”

  “No!” she glared at Sarah “Sarah and I arranged the trip and the concert that is all. So I thought.”

  “Surprise!” Sarah said with a laugh at them. “I knew Nick liked Colby’s music and that he could probably help him with this horse. So I set it up.”

  “Thanks for arranging the meeting. Now I hope I can live up to the hype about the horse.”

  “Nick, dearest.” Sarah replied “I keep telling you that if we sold tickets you would be famous. It is fabulous to watch him work with a horse.” She commented to Greg and CeCe

  “You are not helping love.” Dalton cautioned with a look at Nick’s worried face.

  “Nick, I’m sorry. I thought you would like this surprise.” Sarah replied sadly

  “I do!” he replied hugging Sarah. “I just work with the horses I don’t do anything special.”

  “Keep on believing that cowboy.” CeCe replied as she stood next to Sarah. “I have seen a little bit of your work. I was impressed.”

  “Thanks” Nick said as he kissed CeCe’s cheek. “It was a great surprise!”

  “You are welcome. Now, let us go watch Colby’s show.” CeCe said tucking her arm in her husband’s. The three couples went up the back elevator that led to the private suites.

  Nick and Lindsay were walking with their arms around each other still a little surprised at the events of the last few minutes.

  “Are you okay, Nick?” Lindsay asked

  “Yes, did that just happen?” he asked still a little amazed

  “Yes, it surprised me too. Tomorrow should be fun though.”

  Colby’s concert was amazing and the three couples had a great time relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. After the show they went back down to the underground parking and Dalton’s limousine took them back to the hotel.

  Greg and CeCe were staying with Dalton and Sarah in Dalton’s suite. “That was really nice of you CeCe, you too Sarah. I appreciated it very much.” Nick said as they reached their floor.

  “You are welcome.” They replied

  They had already decided to sleep in a bit in the morning and head to Colby’s ranch about mid-morning after a late breakfast. “See you in the morning.” Lindsay replied as they left the other four

  Nick opened their door and went in after Lindsay. He sat down on the couch and smiled at her. “Your family and friends are so amazing.”

  “They are your family and friends too.” She replied

  “I hope I don’t let them down. I really don’t think I do anything special with horses.”

  “Well, we know you do.” She stated authoritatively as she cupped his face and kissed him. “You have a great gift and it is special.”

  “Thanks babe. I appreciate that.” He said pulling her to sit on his lap

  Lindsay hugged him and enjoyed the feeling of being with him. “Now, I believe I you made me a promise earlier. I think it is time to live up to your promises.”

  “Oh you do, do you?” he asked and she nodded her answer “I am going to take a quick shower and I will be right into your room to fulfill that promise.”

  Nick left the living room and moved to his bedroom. He was showering when he heard the door open. “Lindsay?”

  “Were you expecting someone else?” she asked a little amused

  “No, I wasn’t even expecting you. What are you doing in here?” The shower turned off and Nick reached around the door to get the towel.

  Lindsay’s face was flushed with excitement and her heart was pounding hard. She put her hand to her chest and took a deep breath and walked towards him. “I knew you were put together mighty well but I’m speechless. You are never allowed out of the house again. That is all mine.”

  Nick laughed at her comments but was really glad she wasn’t fainting. “You are too funny.” Nick said sweeping her up in his arms. “And yes, it is all yours.”

  He carried her to the bed and sat her on the edge “It is my turn to look now. It is still my birthday celebration. I really like this outfit, but it is time for me to see more of your glorious skin.”

  She reached behind her head to undo the button that held the top up but he stopped her hand. “My birthday, my job to unwrap the present.” He said capturing her hand and bringing it to his mouth. Nick kept her hand open and kissed each finger. Then he drew each finger slowly into his mouth and suckled them.

  “On my!” Lindsay exclaimed “I thought I went a little crazed when you caressed my hand but that was nothing compared to this.” So Nick did it again. Lindsay tried to stop the involuntary flex of her finger but she couldn’t fight the pleasure of his touch. Nick kept her hand where he wanted it though.

  After he finished with her hand, he reached behind her and moved to undo the button at the top and middle of her back that held her shirt on. As he finished the second button the top floated to the floor. He leaned forward on his knees and kissed the spot between her breasts. Lindsay clasped his head still and encouraged him to do that again. “Please!”

  “Scoot back and lie down” he stated quietly He reached for the side zipper of her skirt and lowered it. “I noticed this zipper earlier and thought how lucky I was going to be later on.”

  “Why?”

  “Easier access to you.” He replied “Lift your hips” he instructed so he could remove her skirt. He drew it down her long legs and tossed it over his shoulder. He was speechless at what he uncovered. Her underclothing was miniscule and tied on the sides. He reached to untie her clothes.

  “It is a really good thing I didn’t know what was under there tonight. I would have had a really hard time not investigating you.”

  “That sounds like fun. We will save that for another time.” Lindsay said as she scooted farther up on the bed at his urging.

  Nick leaned over her on all fours. “If you plan my birthdays with that in mind from now on, I would be so appreciative.”

  “Well, I did happen to plan this birthday that way so the tradition has been set.”

  “Nick never messes with tradition. He really likes tradition.”

  Lindsay laughed and pulled him down. “Kiss me.”

  “I love you so much. I want to be the face you see in your dreams. I want you to be the arms you cling to at all times. I am so blessed that you are my love.”

  After a
few moments, Lindsay began to surface from the bliss he had given her. “Nick, you are the face in my dreams. You have been for a long time, but now they are even better.”

  “I’m glad.” He said reverently remembering how bad he had hurt her in the past.

  “Don’t think about the past. It has no power over us anymore.”

  “How did you know I was thinking about that?”

  “We women can read our men.” She answered knowing she had guessed correctly.

  “If you are so clever, then what am I thinking now?” he replied with a smile in his voice

  “That is too easy. You are thinking the same as me. If we were married we could be doing more of this.”

  “You are right that was too easy.” He replied. “I have something to talk about after you go get into your pajamas.”

  Lindsay looked puzzled and went to pick up her discarded clothes and left the room. Nick waited a few minutes and then followed her. He didn’t bother to knock when he got to her room. She was in the dressing room as he moved to stretch out on her bed. Nick was plumping up the pillows when she came out in her gown.

  “Merciful heavens.” Nick exclaimed “I was thinking t-shirt and bike shorts babe.”

  “Sorry, no. I like lingerie that feels good.”

  Nick bounded off the bed and retrieved her robe from the bathroom. “Just temporarily” he said as her put it around her and tied it up.

  “Nick, you are scaring me. What is wrong?” Lindsay asked very afraid

  “That gown was too lovely. And I couldn’t talk to you. After our talk, I will enjoy it more.”

  “Now I am confused as well as scared.” She said sitting in the chair.

  Nick knelt down in front of her and clasped her hand in his. “Lindsay, I love you. I want to marry you but will you trust me that we need a little bit longer before we get engaged.”

  Lindsay’s head collapsed on Nick. “Now that my heart is beating again, I am going to kill you. You scared me to death. I was afraid you were walking away.”

  “Never!” he replied “I just..”

  Lindsay placed her finger over his lips to stop his words. “Love, I don’t care when we get engaged. I am having a great time getting to know you as the man I love. When we get engaged is not something I care to worry about. If we get married next month or next year, I have you in my heart already. I wouldn’t have offered myself to you otherwise. I am just that way.”

  Nick reached her hand and drew away from his mouth. “I know. I am humbled by your love for me. How did I live this long without you?”

  Lindsay decided to tease him a little to let go of the past. “I wondered about that myself for years.” She said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes “I mean who could resist little ole me.”

  “Ok, I get the message. Let it go, the past is over.” He said grabbing her up in a big hug.

  “Yes, the past is over. Our future is what is important.” She said hugging him in return.

  He let her back down so her feet touched the floor. As soon as he let go the ties of her robe came undone and the robe fell to the floor with Nick’s help. “Now, back to this gown…Glory be, it is beautiful!”

  “Thank you. I did think of you when I purchased it.”

  “Now, let us talk about that some. Are you ready for bed?”

  “Are you sleeping with me?”

  “Yes.” He said climbing into bed “Which side of the bed do you sleep on?”

  “The middle” she replied

  “Then let the middle of the bed war begin.” He said holding back the covers for her. Lindsay climbed in as he turned off the light. He was just lying down in the middle of the bed when she climbed on top of him. “I’ll take the top instead of the middle.”

  Nick laughed and cuddled her closer. I could get so used to this. I need her. “I love you sweetheart.”

  “I love you, with all my heart.”

  Chapter 15

  Lindsay woke the next morning snuggled next to a warm body. He was still sleeping so she had a chance to study him. She went to freshen up from her night’s rest then curled up in the chair to think about him.

  He captured my heart eight long years ago, I know I loved him all this time. But the love I have for him now is so much more. I can see my dreams in his eyes. I can see his passion when he looks at me. He calls me the love of his life.

  I want to be a good wife for him. He needs me and I need him. We will have a good life together. I will give him the babies he wants and he will be a wonderful father to them. He will spoil them as well as love them.

  I want to have the kind of legacy that Gabby has. She has raised her children to be adults she can be so proud of. I want my children to feel about me the way we feel about her.

  Lindsay watched Nick for many long minutes. She pictured horseback rides and picnics. She thought of long walks and holding his hand; talking about anything and everything. I love you my Nick she thought as she went to shower.

  “Morning my sweets” Nick said as he opened the door as she showered.

  “Hi!” she responded

  “I am going to go shower and get dressed. I’ll be back in few minutes.”

  “Okay.” She responded

  Nick was back in a few minutes. Lindsay was just finished with the blow dryer as he entered again. She stuck her head out of the bathroom and whistled at him. “I love you cowboy!”

  “You just like my jeans and boots. I know your game.” He said coming up behind her. “Without those, would you still love me?”

  She pretended to think about that only he didn’t let her get away with it as he pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck. Lindsay forgot about the question as he reached and untied her robe and pushed it to the floor.

  Nick kissed her down her spine then licked his way back up again. As before, her shoulder blades contracted as he moved passed the middle of her back. When he reached her neck again, he spoke “I love to watch that reaction. Count on me doing that fairly often.”

  “Mmmhmm” she said turning in his arms. Lindsay wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down to her for a kiss.

  “Good Morning, babe!” Nick said after their kiss.

  “Morning to you too.” Lindsay said moving away from him to the dressing room.

  Nick sat on the edge of the bed while Lindsay dressed. She had her boots in her hand as she came out. “Your jeans look mighty nice on you too sugar.” He said admiring her long legs.

  “Don’t start that now.” She replied “We can’t be late for breakfast.”

  “Why not?” he said suggestively

  “Do you want my brother to kill you?”

  “He trusts me.” He said innocently

  “No, he trusts me! He knows you, you are a guy.”

  “If my memory is correct… and please correct me if I am wrong…but I do believe you wanted me to make love to you completely on my birthday.”

  “Yes, that is true. But, I wouldn’t do it when we would be late for breakfast with our family and friends. I am more selective.” Lindsay said in her womanly tone “And if you want to take me up on that offer…”

  He clamped his hand over her mouth and shook his head. “I want to be married to you first.”

  “Let’s go, we are late.” She said pulling him up from the bed. She grabbed her cowboy hat as she walked past it in the living room. He grabbed his and they walked to Dalton’s suite. Sarah let them in after Nick knocked on the door.

  “Good Morning all” Nick said as they entered. Dalton had requested a big breakfast be sent to their room. Nick and Lindsay moved to fill their plates and sit down at the table.

  The girls got caught up in a conversation so Nick motioned Dalton into the hall. “I need to talk to you and David when we get home.”

  “Oh, really?” Dalton replied knowingly

  “Yes, just don’t mention it to your lovely wife she wi
ll tell Lindsay.”

  Nick went to wash up after eating so it didn’t look suspicious to Lindsay. Then they all went down the elevator to the limousine. CeCe had already told Dalton where the ranch was and he had informed the driver.

  Nick was feeling a bit nervous the closer he got to the ranch. Lindsay reached over and took his hand. “Why are you nervous?”

  “How did you know I was?” he asked

  “I just did. Why are you nervous?”

  “I don’t know, this just seems like a big deal and that isn’t me.”

  “Nick, this is just you and a horse. Everyday work to you just ignore the rest, you will do a wonderful job as usual.”

  “Thanks for reminding me of that.” He said raising her hand to kiss it. “You are good for me.” And she nodded her agreement

  They reached Colby’s ranch about an hour later. Colby came out of the barn as the driver pulled the car close. Everyone said their hellos and Colby led them to the barn. “I have about ten horses here. I have a trainer for some of them. I am hoping to get some racing stock built up.”

  Nick and Colby dissected that topics pros and cons as they walked to the stall where he kept the troubled horse. Colby stopped at the door of the stall and handed Nick the rope they had picked up as they walked by the tack room. “This is Lucky Joe.” Colby said as Nick accepted the rope.

  Lindsay and Dalton kept everyone back as they knew Nick would begin his work as soon as he got close to the horse.

  Nick quietly slid open the door and approached the horse. Dalton motioned Colby back to where they were; knowing how Nick liked to work. “He has a special method, just watch.”

  “Hi there fella.” Nick said softly as he approached the horse. Lucky Joe stepped back as Nick touch his neck. “Easy boy, I won’t hurt you.” Nick slid his hands down the horse’s neck. “We are going to go for a little walk, just you and me.” He said slipping the rope around the horse’s neck.

  Lucky Joe stepped back again but Nick held firm. “Come on Lucky Joe, just going for a walk.” Nick slid the door open and led the horse out. Nick talked as he walked the horse to the corral. One of Colby’s hands saw him coming and opened the gate then closed it as they entered.

  Dalton and the others walked slowly up closer but not close enough to distract the horse. Nick kept up his talking as he patted Lucky Joe’s neck. “You are a good boy” Nick said calmly as the horse shied away from him. “Come here Lucky Joe. I won’t hurt you.” Lucky Joe kept trying to jerk his head lose from the rope and away from Nick but Nick kept his grip firm and the rope short so the horse had to feel his presence.