Or not. There was no way she was telling him about that. What kind of story could she come up with that would sound believable? Larry. “Oh, she just wanted me to make sure Larry was taken care of.”
“Freddy said somethin’ about him. Is he really that much trouble?”
Sarah snorted. “Oh yeah. He makes the definition of difficult seem mundane. He’ll take you down if he doesn’t like you.”
“Are ye sure ye should be keepin’ a horse like that?”
“He can be really sweet. My mom fell in love with him, and it was mutual. I can’t let anything happen to him.” She yawned loudly and then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.” She wasn’t sure she needed the tea any longer to help her sleep tonight.
“I wish ye had called.” Taran plucked a tea bag out of the box and leaned his hip against the countertop.
Sarah faced him. What she wanted to say was, What for? Nothing has changed. Here you are, sexy as all get out, and I can’t have you because you can’t leave your family. Instead, she swallowed the frustration and kept her mask of calm fixed in place. “I know, but like I said, it won’t take long. That’s why I made the deal that you go home Sunday.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Is the sanctuary what ye want? Nae a promise ye made, but deep in yer heart, what ye want?” She could hear the concern in his voice.
How many times had she asked herself that question? Absolutely. Yes, without a doubt. Only there was doubt. If she hadn’t made the promise, would she be keeping the ranch ?
It helped so many people. How many medically fragile kids had come through and left forever changed for the better? How many afterschool kids would have been in nothing but trouble but had worked with the horses and gone on to graduate high school? How many horses had they saved over the years ?
Her determination solidified again. “It’s helped too many people, and it makes me happy to know my mom did that. After dad left, our lives could have gone so many different directions. Instead, my mom took this massive piece of property, which by the way is paid for now, and turned it into a huge positive for the community.”
“But that doesna answer the question. Do ye want it? Aside from how it helps the community, is this place what ye want?” He wasn’t asking the question to be difficult. She could tell he wanted to know if she’d honestly thought it through.
She opened her mouth to answer, but it wasn’t that cut and dried. Too many people depended on her keeping it open. Closing it wasn’t an option, and who could she trust to take it over? Trudy couldn’t just take charge. She had a family and obligations. Asking her to give more of her time would be wrong. That left her trying to find someone that wouldn’t take it and then let it fall to ruin.
Taran pulled her into a hug, and it was like hot cocoa on a below-zero day. “If this place is what ye want, then I’ll support that wholeheartedly. But if it’s nae…”
She leaned back and looked up at him. That was her first mistake. Her second was letting her gaze wander to his lips. All she had to do was lift on her tiptoes. Forcing her gaze away from his lips, she said, “It is what I want.”
His fingers grazed her cheek, sending chills down her spine. Those pesky butterflies were back and causing her stomach nothing but grief. “Are ye sure? Because ye dinnae sound so sure.”
The kettle shrieked, and the moment was gone. Sarah wasn’t sure if she was thankful or wanted to pitch it against the wall. One more minute, and maybe he would have kissed her, or maybe she’d have kissed him. Either way, she wouldn’t be going crazy, wondering how it would feel. Then again, if it had happened, there was a good possibility she would have never stopped .
“Do you want some cream for it? Sugar?” she asked.
“Naw, I take it plain.”
“Oh, well, in that regard, Penelope and I are a lot alike. She likes coffee-flavored cream.” Sarah grabbed the cream out of the fridge and poured a good amount into her cup before putting it back. She dumped a good heap of sugar in it and stirred.
“I dinnae think that qualifies as tea any longer.” Taran chuckled.
“I’ll have you know this tastes wonderful. It relaxes me.” Which she needed after being in such close proximity to him.
He tipped his cup to his lips as he smiled and took a sip. “How can that much sugar be relaxin’?”
She punched him playfully in the arm. “It wasn’t that much. Come on. Let’s go to the living room. I have something to show you.”
“What?”
“Just wait.” The curtains had been drawn since he arrived, and he hadn’t had the privilege of seeing the sunset at her home.
They strolled to the living room, and Sarah pointed to the couch that faced the large windows looking out over the back of the property. He took his seat and laid his ankle over his knee with his cup in hand. The moment she pulled the curtain back, she heard a gasp. It never got old: the gold and orange of the sunset filling the sky with the horses outlined. It was like a painting.
“That’s incredible,” he said.
Sarah smiled and joined him on the couch, making sure to put a cushion between them. “I know. I’d sit here in the evenings when I was a kid and stare out those windows for hours.”
“Did ye ever find out why yer dad left?”
“I asked once. My mom tried to answer, but I don’t know if she knew why. I never asked again because she looked so sad.” She took a long sip of tea. The moment it hit her tongue, she felt better. What was it about hot tea that made things so much better?
Taran finished his drink and closed the gap by moving to the cushion next to her. “I’ve never understood a man walkin’ out on his family. I think that’s why I was so angry with Angus.”
“But he was in love. He wasn’t trying to choose between you. He was following his heart. What’s so wrong with that?” Sarah tilted her head as she looked at him. The tea was working until then. He caught her gaze, and the intensity of it made her heart pound.
“I understand that, but why would ye choose to be with someone that required ye to make that choice? Penelope moved to Scotland. Paige moved to Scotland.”
Sarah set her cup down. “And a man can’t move to be with the person he loves?” Whoa. Where did that come from? “I just mean, what if they couldn’t have moved? What then? Would you have continued to be angry with them if they’d moved here?”
He rubbed his mouth with his hand. “I dinnae know.”
“That’s not fair to either of them. You’re making them choose. Being angry with Angus hurt both of you. You more than him because he was following his heart, even if he was misguided. From what Penelope told me, he loves you, and it really hurt him.”
His eyebrows knitted together, and he looked down. “I know, but at the time, I didnae understand how he could be so blind. She was horrible, the way she treated him. The first time I met her, I knew she was nothin’ but trouble. I knew he was goin’ to get his heart broken, and he wouldna listen at all to any of us.”
“Right, but alienating him only caused more problems. You should have loved him enough to fight for him. To keep in contact so he had someone when she broke his heart.” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I’m preaching. I need to stop.” It wasn’t fair to gripe at him over a matter that was settled. She needed to go to bed. She needed to get away from him before she told him how she really felt .
Before she could move, he put his hand on her leg to keep her still. “Naw, yer right. He nearly ruined his career because he didnae have anyone to come home to. If he had…” The words trailed off .
She covered his hand with hers. “He wouldn’t have met Penelope. Despite my soapbox, I believe things happen for a reason. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Those three words can cripple you. His career isn’t ruined. He has Penelope and his family. Things worked out.”
“Aye.” When he lifted his head, his blue eyes seemed to stare straight through her. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “What if
I said I didnae want to leave Sunday? What if I said I chose somethin’…someone other than the farm?”
Her heart hammered against her ribs. No, she couldn’t let him do that. Making him choose between her and his family would only lead to resentment later .
She pressed her hand against his chest and pushed him back. “That wouldn’t work, and you know it. How long would it be before you were homesick? Then you’d hate me. I don’t want that. Besides, we’re good friends. We wouldn’t want to ruin that, would we?”
“Naw, I guess we wouldna.” Taran let her go, and she stood.
“Exactly. Don’t worry about the cups. I’ll get them in the morning.” She yawned and stretched. “I don’t know about you, but I think I can sleep now. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
He nodded, but he looked as crestfallen as she felt. She did absolutely care about him. What if he did choose her and he didn’t regret it? Could they have a life together?
Chapter 8
The sky was dark purple as Taran stumbled out of bed and into the shower. He hadn’t planned on getting up before the sun, but his sleep pattern was completely thrown off. Add to that thinking of nothing but Sarah, and it was asking for the impossible.
What was he even thinking, saying that stuff aloud? What if he chose something or someone else other than home? As much as he cared for her, he wasn’t sure he could make that kind of commitment. Of course, he could visit his family, but it wasn’t the same as being there. Could he miss Angus’s and Rory’s children growing up? He looked forward to watching their children grow like he had Duff’s. If he left now, he’d miss all the little milestones.
He’d also miss out on his own family if he didn’t stay here. Holding someone, loving someone, having his own children. But if he moved to the States, his children would miss getting to know their cousins and aunts and uncles, their grandparents. When he pictured having a family, he pictured them all together. That’s what family was to him.
He rolled his head as the hot water slid down his back. It was doing nothing to loosen the knotted muscles. It was pointless to stand there dallying. Frustrated, he turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. He quickly dressed, and when he walked out of his room, he could smell coffee brewing.
Sarah was already up? He strode to the kitchen. Her back to was to him, and she rocked from side to side, humming a tune he didn’t recognize. From the back, her jeans hugged her just right, and the fitted red t-shirt complimented her olive skin.
She peeked over her shoulder and startled. “Oh my stars!” She palmed her chest. “You nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought you’d still be asleep. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
He chuckled. “Naw, that was all my own doin’. Can ye spot me a cup of coffee?”
Her smile melted all his frustration. “Sure. You like it plain, if I recall. I should have known you’d take your tea the same way. Guess I was having a bit of brain fog last night.” She opened the top cabinet in front of her, pulled out a cup, and filled it with steaming coffee.
“It’s all right,” he said as she handed him the mug. He sat at the table in the nook joining the kitchen.
Before joining him at the table, she returned the cream to the fridge and put the lid back on the sugar bowl. “Don’t even think about giving me grief about my coffee like you did in Scotland.”
Taran threw his head back and laughed. “I did give ye a hard time about that, aye?”
“A hard time? No, more like impossible. I can’t help how I like my coffee. I’ve been fixing it like this since I was a kid.” She took a long sip and groaned. “Oh, I needed that.”
“I second that emotion.” He took a drink of his. It was good coffee. Smooth, not bitter at all, no aftertaste. “This is good.”
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. “It’s organic. I don’t splurge on a lot of things, but I’m serious about my coffee.”
“Where did ye find it?”
“Oh, one of those big warehouse stores. The ones you have to have a membership for. A friend of mine got me hooked on it, and I got the membership just so I can get the coffee.” She drained the rest of her cup. “I wish I could have more time to enjoy it.”
He shrugged. “Why nae just ask her to get it for ye?”
She sighed and looked down. “She was offered a job promotion, but it meant she had to move to California. I still talk to her from time to time, but she’s pretty busy with her job.”
“I cannae fault yer reasonin’. I cannae say I dinnae want to go get a box to send home. “
When she looked up, his breath caught. Sarah in the morning was something he could get used to and quick. Her sunny smile and bright laugh were better than the caffeine he’d inhaled. If circumstances were different, he’d be kissing her good morning. And it was getting harder to put that feeling aside.
Her lips quirked into a wider smile. “Well, I could always mail you some. The shipping cost could be a problem, though.”
“It would give me a reason to visit.”
They sat in silence until she stood, grabbed both their cups, and went back into the kitchen to put them in the sink. “Well, I guess we better get to work. It’ll just be us today. Trudy is off, and Freddy has church. Wednesdays are light on volunteers.”
Taran stood and joined her in the kitchen. “Ye have been doin’ all the work on Wednesdays? No help at all?” No wonder she looked so tired. Even one day a week running a place this big on her own would be enough to wear her down.
“Who else is going to do it? It’s part of the reason we don’t run programs on Wednesdays, though. Mom tried for a while, but it was too much. Taking care of the horses is enough. Oh, that reminds me, the farrier is coming today.” She looked at her cell phone. “He’ll be here in a few hours. I like to get the stalls cleaned out before they get here.”
Taran nodded. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
Together, they left the house for the barn. The morning was pleasant, balmy but comfortable. “Is it always this warm in the morning here?”
“Mostly. I mean, we do have cold days, but I think our definition of cold might be way different from yours.” She laughed and bumped him with her shoulder.
He stumbled. “Aye, I guess it would. “
Taran scanned the horizon. The beauty of the place was amazing. He loved Scotland, thought it was the most beautiful place in the world, but this was its own slice of paradise. “I’d say this place takes second place for beauty. The sky is so purple.”
Sarah crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah, the sunrises and sunsets here are wordless poetry. Although, I did enjoy Scotland. I know it is colder, but it was so pretty. I loved how crisp the air smelled, and it made you feel like you were cleaning out your lungs every time you took a breath.”
That was the best way to explain it. It was part of what made him pause when he even considered leaving home. Although, not feeling like his face was freezing off wasn’t bad either. “I can’t disagree.”
Once they reached the barn, she pulled the door open and gasped. Taran was in just as much shock. It was complete chaos. Horses were out of their stalls. On the opposite side of the little room she’d been staying in, there was a feed room with the door wide open, and food was spilling out of the door. The entire place was a complete mess.
Sarah stepped through the door, and her hand flew to her mouth. “They’ve gone through all the food. It was supposed to last at least another two weeks.”
“How did they—” Taran was stopped short when a large bay draft charged toward him. He whinnied and stopped just before he would have bowled Taran over. The horse wedged himself between Sarah and him, his hooves hitting the floor with thuds. The animal was as gorgeous as he was impressive .
“Whoa, boy!” Taran said. Larry. Sarah had made him stay outside until he was put up the day before. Now that the animal was standing next to him, he felt tiny. Larry was the largest draft he’d ever seen.
“Oh, Larry. I’m not in danger.”
She patted his neck and ran her hand over his nose.
Taran took in the massive animal. When Freddy said he was persnickety, she wasn’t kidding. He seemed fiercely protective of Sarah too .
“I’m a friend, big guy.” He held up a hand for Larry to smell. The horse bobbed his head up and down, snorted, and then took a few deep breaths. “It’s okay, boy. We’re all friends here. “
When Larry was finished sizing him up, the horse seemed to relax.
“Come on, buddy. Let’s get you into a stall.” Sarah led him to a stall at the end of the barn and returned. “I’m sorry about that.”
Taran leaned his back against the barn wall. Even without the coffee, he’d be awake now. He was comfortable around horses, but this big fella had reminded him that a healthy respect was needed at all times. “It’s okay, but to be honest, I’ve never been afraid of a horse, but that coffee this morning wasn’t needed. I’m wide awake now. I thought he was going to stomp me.”
“If he hadn’t liked you, he would have. Trudy is the only one allowed near him. None of the volunteers are permitted to touch him. Freddy gets his pass, too, and a couple other kids. For the most part, everyone gives ole Larry a wide berth.” Sarah walked back into the feed room .
Taran pushed off the wall and joined her. “I’m eternally grateful he liked me.”
Sarah pulled her hair up, and when she was done, it was pulled back into a loose ponytail. “I just don’t know how this happened. And replacing this food is going to make things even tighter.”
He could see the added stress beginning to pull her shoulders down. “I could help. I’ve plenty of money I dinnae know what to do with. And I know the twins would want to help.”
She turned on him. “No. I’m not taking money from you, and I don’t need Penelope and Paige worrying about me.”
Stubborn woman. He could understand Sarah not wanting to make the twins worry, but not even considering his offer? “Okay, but I can help.”
“No, you’re already helping. I can’t ask for more than that.”
Mending The Billionaire Brother (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 3) Page 5
