All About Hope

by Ashley Erin

  “I got fucking kicked by this bastard of a horse. Actually, it’s not the horse’s fault. It’s lack of communication on the part of the damn owner.” He drops into a chair, and dives into eating his stew. “I called Dane already. Of course he started in on finding someone to come in and cover me. He wants me to take an apprentice because he thinks I should hire someone.”

  Ryan sneers. Dane and Ryan have been arguing over this for a couple of years. Ryan has always won, but knowing Dane, he’s already got feelers out. I have to admit, I think Dane is right.

  “Well . . .”

  “Don’t, Lia.”

  Sitting next to him, I rest my hand on his arm. “Ryan, at least think about it.”

  “Fine.” The grumble is less severe considering he’s got a mouthful of stew, so I grin at Alex and dig in.

  “Open your eyes.” Alex stands behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders.

  I blink a few times, trying to figure out if I’m dreaming. Alex moved his things into my room over the weekend, and now I’m looking at his old room, except now it’s been painted and filled with baby things.

  The sea green walls are complimented by rich mahogany furniture. The crib sits against the wall, with a rocking chair right next to it. On the opposite wall is a dresser and changing table.

  “I didn’t choose any decorations, but I saw you eyeing this furniture set so I ordered it. And Emma showed me your baby board on Pinterest, I saw this color seemed to be a favorite.” He’s nervous as I step away, and look at everything more closely.

  Turning to face him, I rush into his arms before I start to cry. “It’s perfect.”

  He hugs me, his arms making me feel safe and loved.

  “I love you, baby. And I love Little Bean, as you call him. I want to do anything I can to make you happy.”

  “Her.” He laughs at me. “I love you too, Alex. I am happy.”

  He tilts my chin up with two fingers, swiping the tears off my cheeks with his other hand. “Me too. Happier than I ever thought was in my future.”

  Later that night, I can’t sleep, so I make my way into the baby’s room and start envisioning what it will look like once he or she comes.

  Alex has been showing me every day that he is excited for this, but the work he put into surprising me with this room nailed it home. He wants this future.

  When Dane and Emma moved quickly, I didn’t doubt their ability to make it work for a second. But with my own relationship, part of me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I realize now that with Alex there is no other shoe.

  Things may get rough, I’m sure we will face our fair share of issues, but I also know that we will work through them. I’ve always clung to the hope that someone would come along and sweep me off my feet. And that person is Alex.

  Sitting in the rocking chair, I press my hand to my belly. “You have one incredible daddy, Little Bean.”

  I don’t know how long I rock before Alex comes in to find me.

  “You okay?”

  Standing, I tuck myself into his side. “Never better.”

  “I’m going to be so huge for your wedding.” I’m grumpy this morning. My show is in a week, and Alex and I argued about it again this morning.

  “No, you won’t. And even if you are, you’re going to be stunning. I promise.” Emma hands me a cup of tea. I want coffee, but no one will let me drink any.

  “I hate tea.” She just smiles as I take a sip.

  We’re finalizing the plans for Emma’s wedding, and it’s dawned on me that I said no to Alex, so who knows how long it will be before he attempts to propose again.

  “Everything is booked now. We’ve ordered what we need to turn the arena into a gorgeous reception area, and I’ve finally picked out your dress.” She shows me a super cute strapless dress with an empire waistline.

  Smiling, I hug her tightly. “I love it. Thank you for being so understanding.”

  “You’re giving me a niece or nephew, that’s the best wedding gift I could ever ask for.”

  We move to the couch. Sighing, I set my mug down. “Alex will probably never propose again. Not after I said no.”

  Emma laughs. “He’s not going to give up that easily. I don’t know what went through his mind those few days he was gone, but whatever it was, it settled any doubts he had about the two of you.”

  “I know that. I guess now that we’ve had a couple weeks to adjust, I’m more on board with the idea. At first I thought, ‘oh sure, shotgun wedding.’ Now, I realize I want it too. And maybe I jumped the gun to assume he was proposing for the wrong reasons.” Okay, there is no maybe about it.

  “I think that you need to stop thinking so much.” She smiles knowingly.

  Giggling, I nod. “Yeah, you’re right.” Pausing, I look at my best friend and future sister-in-law. “Thank you for reminding me to never lose hope. If I didn’t have it, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

  “Anytime. You were there for me, and I couldn’t think of anyone better suited for Alex. It’s one of the reasons I suggested he move here. Although, it took you longer than I thought to admit your feelings for each other.”

  A throat clearing interrupts our laughter. Looking up, we see Dane leaning against the kitchen island with a smirk on his face. “Sorry to interrupt, but Alex needs you in the barn.”

  Hugging Emma, I slip my boots on and make my way into the barn. None of the lights in the barn are on, but there is light shining from the arena. As I get closer, I realize they’re more flickering.

  What is he up to?

  When I step around the corner, into the open door of the arena, I’m stunned.

  Lanterns are spread throughout the sand in a circle around a blanket that has a basket on it. Alex is nowhere to be seen.

  The flickering light of the candles in the lanterns gives the arena a romantic glow. This is one of my favorite places to be in the entire world. Alex knows that, and now he’s made it even more special to me.

  I feel him come up behind me. The warmth of his body heating my back. When his hands land on my waist, I lean back and continue to look at what he’s created from something so simple. I don’t need flowers, or huge gestures. I love simple things that show me he cares and knows me. Everything in this room is something he dug up from the garage or the house, but with it he created something so romantic and sweet.

  “I thought we could have dessert. This is about as close to a sandy beach as we will get for right now, but I think this fits you better than a beach anyways.” Laughing, I take my boots and socks off walking towards the blanket. He follows me, sitting down behind me and holding me in his arms. His hands go straight to my stomach, cherishing me and the baby.

  My stomach grumbles, so I peek in the basket.

  Chocolate chip cookies.

  “Oh my goodness. I’ve been craving these all day.” Reaching forward, I grab one and take a bite. It’s the perfect cookie, soft and chocolatey.

  “I know. I saw the drool on your chin when Emma talked about baking some this morning.” He takes the cookie I hand him, and for a few moments we enjoy them in silence.

  After eating several, I turn to face him. He lifts my legs over his, his hands running up and down my thighs and calves.

  Closing my eyes, I murmur my approval as he increases the pressure of his hands. The stroking becomes a massage, he’s turning me into jelly. His hands fall away from my legs, a chuckle causing my stomach to clench.

  “Baby, open your eyes.” His voice is low, raspy.

  When I do, he’s staring at me intently. “Alex?”

  “Lia, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve been drawn to you. You make me smile in a way no one else can. You drive me crazy in the best way and, despite my best efforts, you found your way into my heart. I think in some ways I fell for you before anything even happened between us, but I was so guarded I didn’t even realize it.

  “You push me to open myself up. You’ve shown me that it’s okay to entrust my heart to you
, because in return you’ve done the same thing. I know you think it’s too soon, but I disagree. I’ve been falling for you a little bit every day since I met you. You’ve given me hope for a future I never thought was in my reach.

  “Now you’ve not only blessed me with your heart, but you’re giving me the greatest gift I didn’t even know I wanted. I love you. I’ve loved you longer than I realized, I think you knew how I felt before I did.” He laughs, opening his hand. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  The ring is a simple white gold band with two horse shoes that form a heart. Small diamonds decorate each horseshoe. It’s beautiful, simple, and completely unexpected.

  Tears fill my eyes as I look up at Alex. He blinks away the sheen in his own gaze, watching and waiting.

  “Yes.”

  One simple word. That’s all he needed. He slips the ring onto my finger, before lowering me to the blanket and kissing me with a fierce passion.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He holds his body over mine, pressing his hips into me. The intensity of the emotions running through me is overwhelming. I finally found my happily ever after. I just had to hold onto the hope that it would happen.

  Lia lopes into the arena, picking up speed as she races to the end and slides to a stop. Crossing my arms, I try to calm the beating of my heart. I’m pretty positive I’m the only person in this entire building who has a scowl on their face, but I’m pissed off that she’s in there.

  She’s the most important person in the world, and she’s carrying precious cargo, but there she is, competing at break neck speeds. I think she’s going through the pattern at a speed faster than normal just to torture me.

  “Breathe.” Emma leans against the fence, her eyes following Lia through the pattern. “That girl could ride that horse backwards, with her eyes closed, and still win this.”

  “I know.” I bite out. I do know. She’s an incredible rider, and Ollie will always take care of her, but I still don’t like that she’s out there. “My baby is going to be on a horse before he’s older than a day, isn’t he?”

  “She. And, yes, she probably will.”

  Emma and Lia are certain we’re having a girl. I don’t really care, I just like riling them up by calling the baby a boy.

  “She’s going to compete in the fall show too, isn’t she?” Lia finishes the pattern, an elated smile on her face as she dismounts by the judges.

  “Yep.”

  “There is no way I can convince her not to, is there?”

  “Nope.”

  “Damn.” Muttering to myself, I elbow Emma when she laughs.

  “You better get used to losing these arguments, Alex. Lia was born to be around horses.” Emma hugs Lia as she joins us outside the arena, before striding over to where Dane and Ryan sit in the bleachers.

  “Great work, baby.” My heart slows to a normal pace now that she’s completed her last class. Wrapping her in my arms, I hold her tight.

  She smiles up at me, her eyes shining from the thrill of the competition. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Lia and Alex’s story was one that went through many stages. They’ve had many beginnings, most of which didn’t feel right, until one day it just flowed. I want to thank y’all for being patient as you waited for their story. It was never meant to take this long, but I wanted to do the characters justice, and I wanted to write a story worth telling.

  I need to thank my boyfriend, Aaron, for being so supportive. For not getting too angry when I didn’t really hear what he was saying, simply because my mind was so focused on these characters. Aaron, you cooked for me, encouraged me, pushed me, and through it all tolerated all of my weird quirks that happen when I’m writing. I love you.

  Amanda, I know that typically romance isn’t your genre, but you have read every single book I’ve written, and that’s what makes you the best sister I could ever ask for.

  Mom, thank you for supporting my dream. For sharing my teasers, telling your friends, and for reading the words I write. Not everyone can count themselves as blessed as I am to have a parent who is so unconditionally supportive, even if you don’t like the cursing.

  Dad, you might not see this, unless Mom shows you, but thank you for not reading my books. I don’t think I could look you in the eye if I knew you had read them.

  Alannah, I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement. You believe in me when I don’t believe in myself, and your excitement for this story helped keep me motivated.

  I have an incredible team of people who helped make this book what it is. My editors, Missy and Jessica. My photographer, Chelsea. My model, Cody. My cover designer, Kari. And my formatter, Tami. This book is what it is because of your support and hard work. I’m so grateful to have you in my life.

  Terry-Lee, I know everything I know about reining and the show world because of you. I wanted to put a piece of the best summer of my life in this book. A piece of my friendship with you. I’m so grateful to have you as a coach, but most importantly as a valued friend.

  Honestly, I could write several pages worth of words to thank so many people. I appreciate everyone who supports and encourages me. I appreciate the friends I’ve made along the way, and my girls who I can count on day in and day out to be excited when I’m excited, or empathetic when everything seems like it’s going wrong.

  Ashley Erin lives in Alberta, Canada where winter and summer compete to take over. She wears flip flops as soon as it’s above freezing, because her hatred of socks outweighs her dislike of snow. Her boyfriend stays with her despite a penchant for adopting rescued cats and dogs without permission. Their two dogs and four cats are spoiled rotten. When Ashley isn’t writing, she is reading or working with horses.

  Ashley is a self-published author of contemporary and new adult romance. Follow her on Facebook to keep up with her current and upcoming releases.

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  Also by Ashley Erin

  All or Nothing

  All About Us

  All About Hope (Coming Soon)

  Rule

  The No Bad Boy Rule

  The No Asshole Rule