Read Online I'll Be Yours for Christmas by Samantha Hunter - Free Book Online

that that wouldn’t be necessary.
    â€œIt’s Reece. Reece has him,” she said into the phone, and then hung up as the rider and the horse came closer.
    Abby had never seen Reece on horseback. She didn’t even know he could ride. His family always had dogs, but never horses.
    â€œReece!” she called, waving, and he waved back, heading toward her.
    He looked like every cowboy fantasy she’d ever had, sitting tall on Beau, his camel-colored coat and hatcontrasting with the steed’s dark chestnut coloring as they approached her. Beau whinnied in welcome, and Abby was so relieved he was okay she realized she was shaking.
    â€œHey, are you all right? What’s wrong?” Reece asked as he came up next to her.
    â€œI—I saw the door open and Beau gone… I didn’t know where he was. I thought maybe someone stole him. The police told me to be careful about people poking around here, which I guess some people do when they find out about burned buildings….” She trailed off, petting the horse’s soft cheek with a sigh of relief.
    â€œAh, damn, Abby. Sorry about that. You left the barn keys on the counter, and I was feeling antsy. I knew you hadn’t had any time to get them out for a ride, so I figured I’d do it for you,” he said, clearly apologetic.
    â€œThat’s so good of you, Reece. I guess I didn’t think of you because I didn’t even know you rode,” she admitted.
    â€œI learned in France. Haven’t had the chance to ride in a while, but it felt good.”
    â€œDid you ride both of them?”
    â€œNo, I figured I’d give them both a short turn around the field, so I was just coming back for Buttercup.”
    Abby nodded. “Let me grab a saddle and I’ll join you, if you don’t mind. They can have a longer ride that way, and I could use some fresh air, too.”
    â€œSure, that would be great,” he agreed, and a little while later Abby was on Buttercup, riding alongside Reece on the lake path, more relaxed than she had been in days.
    â€œI needed this. I’m glad you had the idea to take themout,” she said. “I feel so guilty when I can’t tend to them like I always did, but it seems like the winery takes over my life sometimes.”
    â€œI hear you. I thought I would like to get some pets at home in France, but I don’t want to kennel them or pay pet-sitters when I’m away, which is usually a lot.”
    The easy companionship between them seemed enhanced by the quiet of the trail and the rhythmic gait of the horses.
    â€œYou have a house there?” she asked.
    â€œYes, outside of the Talence, near the Bordeaux region. There’s a lot of industry there, as well as wine and some universities. I found a house outside of the town that allowed me to go into the city if I wanted to, but to retreat when I needed to, as well. It’s an older house, and I have been fixing it up slowly, when I have the opportunity.”
    â€œBordeaux? So you left wine country to live in wine country?” she said with a soft laugh, so he knew she wasn’t criticizing.
    â€œI guess so. I did intend to study wines when I went there, and then I discovered racing.”
    â€œFunny how you had to go that far to find it, when we’ve lived with the Glen under our noses all our lives.”
    â€œI know. But we never really went to the races when we were kids. Ben and Dad spent more time playing golf, which I never took to. I went to a few races at the Glen, but at that point in time I was more interested in making out with whatever girl I met there instead of watching the race,” he said with a self-effacing grin.
    She laughed. “That’s changed?”
    â€œMostly. I rarely date in season. I can’t afford the distraction, not that there aren’t plenty of offers.”
    â€œYou’re modest, too,” she teased.
    â€œHey, it’s true. Groupies