Once Bitten, Twice Shy

She ran a hand along his sleek neck and patted the muscular shoulder. He was in excellent condition. Of course, she would have expected nothing less of any animal Alex owned.

"You're going to like it here, boy," she said, giving him another pat.

Something tugged on her belt loop and Alex swung her around, jerking her into his embrace. "Me Too," he said, and pulled her close, kissing her in a way that made her legs weak.

She stepped back, trying to take the electricity out of the air with a little humor.

"Sure, you say that now, but come Monday morning you'll be six hundred miles away."

He gazed down at her soberly. "So, come back with me."

She laughed nervously. "What about Ed and the farm?"

He reached out and touched her temple lightly. "Katie and Bill can watch the farm and we can take Ed back with us. We can ride him along the beaches together all day." His fingers slid down her cheek in an exciting caress as his gaze searched her face hungrily. "And make love all night."

She swallowed down a surge of excitement. He was actually serious. But she couldn't leave the farm. It was her responsibility. "It sounds nice, but I want time to make plans for my wedding."

He caught his breath and stepped back, lowering his hand. He snatched the reins from her hand and turned to Ed.

"Yeah. Well, I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it," he answered curtly.

She stared at his back as he led Ed to the truck. What had she said wrong? Did he think she expected him to pay for her wedding? Did the prospect of marriage dig up old bones? She watched as he meticulously saddled Ed and tightened the cinch. Then he mounted and rode past her.

"I'm going to take him for a ride to loosen up. I'll be back in a little while."

He nudged the horse in the ribs and Ed broke into a lope. They stopped at the gate and Alex leaned down, opening the gate. He rode through and closed it, never looking her way.

Carmen turned toward the house, dashing a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. He still wasn't over his last love.

Katie was on the couch sewing when Carmen entered the living room. Katie glanced up, the needle pausing in mid air.

"Wasn't that Alex?"

She nodded. "Yes, he took his horse for a ride." She kept her head down, pretending she had a sliver in her finger. At the moment she was glad she hadn't told Katie about their newfound relationship - because now it was lost. Was love always such a roller coaster of emotions? Sure, she and Josh had their share of ups and downs, but never like this. With Alex, the relationship seemed to be either grinding up a long hill or plunging perilously toward the depths of despair. There was so little time on top.