“Human men give their fiancées something as a token of their love.” Manuel smiled broadly. “I thought Glory was better than any diamond I could buy you. Means more to me . . . and hopefully, to you, too.”
When she made no response at all, he held out the leather lead that was clipped to the horse’s bridle. “I’m giving her to you.”
At that, Glory let out a tremendous whinny and pranced as if she agreed with this change in ownership.
Payne wiped her eyes and threw herself at Manuel, kissing him deeply. “I have no words.”
And then she accepted the lead as Manuel went all robin-chested with pride.
Taking a deep breath, she—
Before Payne was conscious of moving, she sprang up into the air, mounting Glory as if the pair of them had been together for years, not minutes.
And the horse needed no heel, no permission, no anything—Glory leaped forward, clawing her hooves into the pebbles and taking off at a dead run.
Payne wound her fingers through the long black mane and balanced herself perfectly upon the strong back that surged beneath her. As the wind hit her face, she laughed in pure exultation as they took off in a streak of joy and freedom. Yes . . . yes! A thousand yesses!
To set upon the night.
To have freedom to move.
To have love waiting upon her.
This was more than just being alive. This was to live.
As Manny stood by the horse trailer and watched his girls take off together, he was out of his damn mind with happiness. They were a perfect match, the pair of them cut from the same cloth, and both were whole and strong and tearing through the darkness at a gallop that most cars would have trouble keeping up with.
Okay. Maybe he teared up just a little. But what the fuck. This was an incredible night for—
“I saw this.”
“Jesus Christ—” He grabbed his cross and wheeled around. “Do you always sneak up on people?”
Payne’s brother didn’t answer—or perhaps couldn’t. The vampire’s eyes were locked on his sister and her galloping horse, and he seemed as moved as Manny was.
“I thought it was a stallion, though.” Vishous shook his head. “But yeah, this is what I saw . . . her on a black Thoroughbred, her hair in the breeze. I didn’t think it was the future, though . . .”
Manny turned back to his girls, who were far off down the retaining wall and making a fat turn to return toward the house.
“I love her so damned much,” Manny heard himself say. “That’s my heart right there. That’s my woman.”
“Word.”
As a powerful accord weaved between the pair of them, Manny felt like he was home in so many ways; and he didn’t want to think too much about that for fear the fragile blessings would fall apart.
A moment later, he glanced over. “Mind if I ask you something.”
“G’head.”
“What the fuck did you do to my car?”
“What, you mean the music?”
“Where did all my—”
“Shit go?” Diamond eyes met his. “You gonna live here, you’re going to start listening to my tunes, true.”
Manny shook his head. “You’re kidding me.”