However, she had agreed to help promote the rodeo school. Something he knew nothing about, so it was in his best interest to tell her whatever it was she was so eager to know in order to get the school off on the right foot.
He stuffed the last bite of his hamburger into his mouth and dusted off his hands. It shouldn’t be that bad. After all, the rodeo school was something he could get excited about. Without rodeo, he didn’t know where he’d be. And while he might have headed back into the arena with a death wish, God had used it to show him that He still had a purpose for Noah. And Noah intended to follow that calling. This world was filled with hurting people. If he could help even one of them...
“Mom,” Colton came up behind them. “Me and Megan are done eating and her mom says it’s okay for us to go to the stable, if it’s okay with you. Can we?”
Lily pushed aside her paper plate, which was littered with celery pieces she’d picked out of her potato salad, and dabbed her mouth with a paper napkin. “Yes, you may. But I want you to be on your best behavior. I know you’re familiar with the stable, but Megan has been here a lot longer than you have.” She smiled up at Noah’s niece, who stood beside Colton. “You do what she says. Okay?”
“I will,” said the boy, and the two kids were off like a shot.
Lily peered up at Noah then. “I assume you’re all right with them going.”
“Yes. But, if you have reservations, we could always join them.”
“Oh, that’s not—”
“Maybe we could finally have that discussion about the rodeo school.”
She hesitated a moment. “Or we could find a quiet place around here. I mean, what about Piper?”
“She can go with us.” Turning, he eyed the ponytailed blonde giggling with Matt’s daughter, Kenzie. “However, she looks like she’s having a pretty good time here.” He faced Lily again. “Besides, I think a tour of the stable is in order.”
“Why?” She looked almost appalled. “What does a tour of the stable have to do with rodeo?”
He puffed out a laugh. “For starters, it’s where I spend most of my time. It’s where we train students, at least until the other building is complete.”
Her deep breath gave him the feeling she was trying to talk herself into it.
“Okay. Let me check with Piper.” Standing, she moved to the other table and smoothed a hand across her daughter’s back.
The girl looked up at her mother.
“Noah and I are going to the stable. Would you like to go with us?”
The little girl frowned. “But Kenzie’s dad said they’re going to have s’mores.”
Noah looked to the other side of the table, to Matt and his wife, Lacie. “Would you two mind keeping an eye on Piper while Lily and I run down to the stable?”
“Not at all.” Standing, Lacie reached for the kids’ plates. “The two of them are having a good time.”
“We won’t be long.” Lily waved to Piper, then turned and ran into another of Noah’s siblings. “Oh!”
Noah caught her elbow. “Lily, this is Jude.”
Her eyes went wide. “Just how many brothers do you have?”
“I’m the fourth of five Stephens’ sons,” offered Jude. “And it’s nice to meet you.”
Lily looked from Noah to Jude, who also had their father’s dark hair and eyes. “Did they just clone you guys? Because all of you kind of look the same.”
Jude laughed. “Not all of us.” He eyed Noah. “She hasn’t met Daniel yet, has she?”
Just then, the brother in question slapped him on the back. “Did I hear my name?”
“Lily,” Jude started. “This is Daniel, the baby of the family.”
She simply stared at the only blond, blue-eyed brother. “I guess that debunks my cloning theory. How did you—”
“Break the mold?” Daniel shrugged. “The world couldn’t have handled it if they’d all been as good-looking as me.”
“Oh, brother.” Jude rolled his eyes. “Don’t let him con you, Lily. Daniel just ended up with all of our mother’s genes because Dad’s finally ran out.”
Noah checked his watch. At this rate, they’d never make it to the stable. “Gentlemen, you’re going to have to excuse us. Lily and I have work to do.”
She smiled at his brothers. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Twilight settled around them as they descended the steps, the air still as they started toward the stable.
“Four brothers.” Lily shook her head. “I can’t imagine.”
“Why?” Hands in his pockets, Noah glanced up to a rising moon. “Don’t you have any siblings?”
“No. I’m an only child.”
“Really?” Gravel ground beneath his boots. “Now there’s something I can’t imagine.”
She chuckled. A sweet sound he found himself longing to hear again. “Then I guess there’s one thing we have in common.”
Lily retrieved her tablet before heading inside with Noah.
He breathed in the comforting aromas of horse and hay. Here, he was at home.
“We built this structure a few years ago so we could offer riding lessons year-round.” He moved past the lobby, toward the training arena.
Opening the cover on her tablet, Lily followed him on the same path she’d taken almost daily to observe Colton’s lessons. “Why can’t you use this arena for the rodeo school?”
“Too small.” Turning to face her, he perched an elbow atop a fence rung. “The two buildings will be attached by a walkway, though, since the horses will still be stabled here.”
She made a few notes before looking at him again. “Who designed the new arena?”
“I did. At least the general layout.”
“I’m impressed.” Her fingers moved over the screen once more.
“Don’t be. I’ve been in a lot of arenas over the years. Everything from small to large, indoor and out. I know what works, and I know what we need.”
She cocked her head. “Sounds like you’re an expert.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps the only thing I’m an expert at.”
“Besides rodeo itself.”
“It’s what I know.” He turned. “Follow me.” He aimed for one of two wide corridors lined with stalls.
As they rounded the corner, Lily stopped. “Where are we going?”
“I thought I’d show you a few of the horses.”
“That’s...not necessary.” She fidgeted with her necklace. “Really, I—I don’t need to see them.”
He moved closer. “I’m not talking about riding them, Lily.” He studied her. Saw the flicker of fear in her eyes. “I promise, you’ll be fine. I’ll be right with you.”
After a long moment, she nodded and started walking again.
Hoping to put her at ease, he said, “Why don’t you ask me some of those questions you said you had.”
“Um, okay. Uh, what drew you to the rodeo?”
He looked at her. Saw her cast a wary eye at each and every horse they passed. “You asked me that earlier. When we were walking to the house.”
“I did?” She met his gaze. “Yes, that’s right.”
He stopped her then. “Do you always get this nervous around horses?”
Her head bobbed. “Chalk it up to a bad experience when I was a kid.”
“What happened?”
Her gaze searched his, and he saw her anxiety ease for a moment.
Hugging the tablet against her chest, she said, “My mother loved horses and used to dream of me becoming a championship English rider. So, when I was four, she bought me a horse.” Lily looked away then. “I can still see him staring down at me with those ominous dark eyes. Right before he bit me.”
“He bit you?”
“He did. Then while I was still crying, my mother hoisted me into the saddl
e. Of course, the horse wasn’t having any of that and promptly bucked me off, leaving me with a broken arm and a strong determination never to get on a horse again.”
Noah could hardly believe what he was hearing. No parent should force their child to do something they were afraid of. Coaxing was one thing, but to put her in the saddle while she was still crying...
Briefly lifting his hat, he raked a hand through his hair. “No wonder you made yourself sick at the thought of riding.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Please, don’t remind me.”
“I have to say, I commend you for not placing your fears on your children. And just so you know, your mother was wrong to put you on that horse. These animals—” he motioned to the stalls on either side of them “—are very good at sensing things, including fear.”
“Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t ride with you then.” Her laugh was a nervous one. “You must think I’m a complete idiot.”
“Absolutely not.” Arms crossed, he rocked back on his heels. “Though I do believe I could help you overcome your fear.”
“Ha! I highly doubt that.”
His brow shot up. “Is that a dare?”
“More like extreme skepticism.”
Lowering his arms, he looked into her green eyes, knowing he shouldn’t care. What should it matter to him if she was afraid of horses? After this summer, she’d likely never be around them again.
Unfortunately, he did care.
“That’s too bad. Because I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.” Just then, he spotted Colton and Megan coming down the aisle. “You know, both of your kids seem quite enthralled with horses. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could ride with them?”
“What are you guys doing here?” Colton asked as he approached.
“Just going over some stuff about the rodeo school.” While Lily appeared calm and collected, the way she looked at her son, as though seeing him through different eyes, had Noah wondering if he’d gotten through to her. Did she want to learn to ride or even try overcome her fear?
“My mom’s going to help Noah promote the rodeo school.” Colton’s pride was evident as he shared the news with Megan.
“That’s cool,” said his niece. “Because Uncle Noah is the best teacher ever.” She reached her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight. “Right, Uncle Noah?”
He looked down at her. “If you say so, kid.”
Megan released him then. “Come on, Colton. Let’s go get some s’mores.”
As the two trotted away, Lily smiled up at Noah. “The best teacher ever, huh?”
Heat crept up his neck. “If you believe an eleven-year-old.”
She seemed to contemplate him for a moment. “You really think you can help me overcome my fear?”
“I do.”
“In that case...” She held out her hand. “I think you’ve got yourself a deal.”
Chapter Five
By the next morning, Lily was ready to back out of her deal with Noah. Sure, he might be good with horses, but did he really think he could help her overcome her fear?
Last night he’d said he could. But what if he couldn’t? And what would her children think when they found out their mother was afraid of horses? Would they look at her differently? After all, she was supposed to take care of them. Protect them. Would they wonder what else she might be afraid of or think she’s a coward?
Lily shook the torturous thoughts away and concentrated on the pancakes she was making for breakfast. Because despite her agreement with Noah, she still didn’t have enough information to contact even a local newspaper regarding an interview. What she needed was a good hook that would make everyone in the state, if not the country, want to interview Noah and learn about the rodeo school. The only way to come up with that hook was to dig and find out what made Noah tick and why the rodeo school was so important to him.
After dotting one side of the pancakes with blueberries, she flipped them. They gently sizzled as the fruity aroma reached her nose, awakening her appetite.
Spatula in hand, she waited. How had Noah managed to turn the tables on her so easily last night? Not that he’d distracted her. It was being around all those horses that had made it difficult to think about anything except getting bitten or trampled, leaving her stammering and unable to concentrate.
She couldn’t allow that to happen today. If only there was some way to get Noah away from the stable.
Maybe they could all go to lunch. Lily, Noah and the kids. Or better yet, she could pack a lunch for all of them. They could have a picnic at the park. It was supposed to be another beautiful day, and the views from the park were positively breathtaking.
Of course, if he was as busy today as he had been yesterday...
No, she was going to remain optimistic. If God wanted her to talk with Noah, He’d pave the way.
Armed with renewed determination, she loaded Colton and Piper into the SUV and set off for the ranch well before the rising sun broke over the mountain hugging the eastern edge of town. Colton had a job to do, and she would not allow him to be late. She wanted to instill a sense of responsibility while he was still young.
When they arrived, Colton ran on to start cleaning stalls while she and Piper found Noah sitting at the desk in the office, his back to them as he attached consent forms to clipboards.
She watched him curiously. “Why don’t you have somebody to do that for you?” He was busy enough without a lot of little tasks consuming his time.
Only when he jerked his head in her direction did she realize that she’d probably startled him.
“Sorry. I should have knocked or at least said hello first.”
“Nah.” Wearing his usual jeans, work shirt and boots, he stood, sending his chair rolling across the concrete floor. “Actually, you’re just the person I was hoping to see.”
“A kitty.” Piper spotted the calico sprawled atop the desk.
Noah glanced her way. “That’s Patches.” He looked at Lily then. “She’s harmless.”
Lily looked up at him. “Why were you hoping to see me?”
“What are you and the kids doing for lunch today?”
Her hand went to her hip. “Okay, that’s weird, because I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“No kidding?” He continued into the lobby with an armload of clipboards.
She followed him, determined that she would have the information she needed by the end of the day. “Yes. I was thinking that, since it’s going to be another pretty day, we could have a picnic lunch at the park.”
“Hmm...” He slid each clipboard over a hook on the rustic wooden wall. “That does sound like a good plan.” Task complete, he faced her. “However, I know of someplace better than the park. And with a lot fewer people.”
She like the sound of that. Less chance of being interrupted. “Wonderful. Where?”
“You’ll just have to wait to find out.”
“Seriously?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
No, he definitely did not. She simply preferred to know these things so she could plan accordingly.
“You’re just going to have to trust me, Lily.”
Her gaze shot to his. Trust wasn’t something that came easy to her. One of the downsides to being wealthy. People always expected something from her.
It’s only lunch.
Yes, it was. A picnic at that.
“All right. I’ll be here at noon with the food.”
“What’s on the menu?” Cowboy hat tilted back, Noah lifted a brow.
She sent him a smirk. “I guess you’ll just have to trust me.”
When she and Piper returned at noon, an excited Colton met them out front.
Under a cloudless sky, he rushed to the driver’s-side door, all smiles, as she pressed the button to roll the
window down.
With no sign of Noah, she wondered if there was a problem. Had he gotten busy again and needed to cancel? Then again, her son wouldn’t be smiling if that were the case.
“Guess what, Mom?”
“What is it?”
“Noah said we get to ride to our picnic spot.”
Lily found herself at a loss for words. Ride? As in a horse?
And to think, Noah actually had the nerve to tell her to trust him. As if simply putting her on a horse was going to help her get over her fear.
When the tall cowboy emerged from the building a moment later and came alongside her son, she was fit to be tied.
“I was telling them the good news.” Colton was beyond excited. “That we get to ride horses to our picnic spot.”
Lily remained silent behind her sunglasses, though that didn’t stop her from glaring at Noah.
“Now let’s not get too excited here.” While Noah appeared to address all of them, those dark eyes remained fixed on her. “Colton is only partially right.”
Lily waited for him to continue, fearful she might say something she shouldn’t.
“The kids can ride while you and I take old Duke for a walk.”
“Who, or should I say what, is Duke?” Lord, please let it be a dog.
“He’s my horse.”
“Of course he is.” She undid her seat belt, killed the engine and rolled up the window before opening the door.
Noah backed out of the way as she moved to the rear of the vehicle to retrieve the basket of food. “Since it’s such a nice day, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for him to get out of the stable for a while. Away from the other horses.”
She paused, her hand on the button to close the hatch. “He doesn’t like the other horses?”
“Nah.” He waved off her concerns. “They don’t bother him. He just likes a little freedom now and then.”
Her Colorado Cowboy Page 5
