Self-consciousness engulfed Ben with every step toward the main barn. Sure, he’d known about Rae’s medals. He’d known she’d ridden a horse before. But it had suddenly become real. She swung their hands between them easily, and she didn’t pull away when Missy appeared in the doorway of her office in the main barn.
“Hey, Rae,” she said, her eyes easily finding their joined hands.
“Missy.” Rae released Ben’s hand and stepped into the other woman for a hug. “I have your birthday present in the car.” She glanced at Ben. “We have time, right?”
“All day,” he said, backing up until he reached the stalls behind him. He watched Missy and Rae head back into the morning sunshine, the air in the barn so suffocating. He hadn’t seen Rae in eight days—the back of her head at church six days ago didn’t
