by Lexi Post
He’d always been one of those people who could meet someone and within minutes sense what they were about. That wasn’t the case with Riley. She bothered him like a flame that won’t go out. He wasn’t used to being unsure about a person.
He couldn’t help but watch her lead Cyclone back out to the south corral. As she closed the gate behind the “big guy,” she caught sight of him and gave him a lazy salute kind of wave before striding back to the barn, her mind on nothing but her work.
On one hand, he liked her. She appeared to have a good heart when it came to animals. For people, not so much. She was obviously a good worker, but seemed to hold a grudge for some reason. One minute she was almost warm and the next telling him what to do.
He closed the passenger door of the truck before walking around to the driver’s side. Reaching in from where he stood, he put the keys in the ignition and turned it on, putting the air conditioner on full blast before closing the door and striding to the front of the pick-up.
Riley had returned Cyclone to the south corral with the broken fence. Obviously, she wasn’t concerned that he’d leave.
Lady was prancing in small circles near her end of the north corral as Cyclone stood watching her. And to think, some people believed animals had no emotions. If he were to hazard a guess on what was taking place, he’d say that Lady was being a sore winner and Cyclone was stewing over it. Then again, he wasn’t a horse whisperer.
He had, however, considered himself a bit of a people whisperer though, but with Riley, he doubted anyone knew what made her tick. Shaking his head, he returned to the driver’s side of the truck and climbed into the now cooler cab.
Putting the truck into gear, he scanned the immediate vicinity for one more glance of her, but she was still busy in the barn. He hadn’t known what to expect when he accepted Cole’s job offer, but now he was looking forward to returning to Last Chance, even if it was just to study Riley O’Hare further.
And studying was all it would be. He knew better than to have an interest in a woman. That door closed five years ago.
Riley finished the last bite of mashed potatoes and wiped her mouth. Though she preferred having dinner with just Annette and Ed, she had to admit, Cole’s grandmother went all out when the whole family came by…or most of it.
Cole, the big sometimes cowboy and all-the-time firefighter, had offered her room and board to “help out” on Last Chance. However, her room and board were actually provided by his grandmother in the main house. Her “boss” lived in his new home with his wife, Lacey, a petite blonde who had him wrapped around her little finger.
She liked the arrangements because, except for Annette babysitting Logan’s daughter three days a week, it was normally pretty quiet. In addition, despite Annette’s age, she was a tough rancher through and through, the kind of woman Riley liked.
“Are you all packed and ready for your cruise?” Lacey flicked her braid over her shoulder and looked at Annette expectantly.
The older woman shrugged. “As much as I’m willing to lug on a plane and a boat.” She glanced at her husband, who was grinning ear to ear. “This one will need a separate truck for his luggage.”
Ed laughed loudly as he put his arm around his wife. “It’s not every day my better half turns seventy-five.”
Dr. Jenna, who was five-feet-five inches of no nonsense, looked at Logan. “Now that’s true love.”
The man nodded before turning to his daughter in a high chair between him and Annette. “What do you think, Charlotte? Is that true love?”
Three-year-old Charlotte dropped her sippy cup at that moment and leaned over her chair, her hand opening and closing. “I want cup.”
“I want my cup, please.” Annette bent over and put it back on the tray for the little girl, eliciting a grin before she promptly lifted it with two hands and drank. The older woman’s brow furrowed as she studied her grandson. “Are you sure you can handle her for two weeks?”
Logan brushed his daughter’s hair back out of her eyes. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my daughter.”
Dr. Jenna chimed in. “And we’re going up to the Grand Canyon for the weekend.”
Trace, Logan’s brother and the easy-going one in the family with a ready smile, shook his head. “You know she’s not going to remember seeing it. She’s too young.”
“Who said anything about seeing the Grand Canyon?” Logan smirked. “We’re just going up there to get out of this blistering heat.”
Whisper leaned in toward Riley. “I don’t see anything wrong with the heat.” Then she returned her attention to the family. “We’re headed to Vegas. Uncle Joey has had that city on his bucket list since before his stroke, so Trace and I are making it happen.”
Riley couldn’t keep silent any longer. “What about you, Cole? Are you off for the weekend, too?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m planning to start work on the deck I promised Lacey.”
She stifled a grin. Wait until he discovered the lumber gone.
Annette passed the plate with two T-bone steaks still on it. “Here, Riley, you need to have more. You deserve it after having to repair that fence rail and get the barn ready for the new horse on such short notice.”
The older woman gave her a conspiratorial wink, which definitely made her feel appreciated.
“Thank you.” Without hesitation, she took a steak off the tray.
A groan sounded from across the table. “I’m sorry, Riley. I forgot to tell you. I went into the station at two this morning and spaced it.”
Cole’s apology took the edge off her irritation. “It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Though I was surprised to see a new driver.”
“You got a new driver?” Lacey turned on her husband. “What happened to Manuel? I liked him.”
Cole looked away and sighed. Riley almost felt bad for him. “Looks like I need to apologize again. Manuel moved to New Mexico to live on his daughter’s ranch. She’s expecting their first grandchild.”
“Oh, well, that’s a good reason.” Lacey’s smile returned. “Who did you hire on such short notice?”
“An old classmate of mine, Garrett Walker.”
Trace frowned. “If he’s your age, does he realize the pay won’t keep a roof over his head?”
Cole nodded. “Yes. It’s not his only income.”
Riley swallowed the piece of steak she’d been chewing. “I don’t think he realized exactly how different our horses are.” She smirked. “After seeing Cyclone break the fence rail, he thought I was next.”
Whisper grunted. “That horse wouldn’t hurt a rabbit.”
The phrase was wouldn’t hurt a fly, but she wasn’t about to correct Whisper. “He said he’s bringing the other two horses in a couple days and that the grandson of the deceased is also going to arrive?”
This time it was Annette who jumped on Cole. “You didn’t tell me we’d be having company while we’re gone. I need to make up the other bedroom upstairs, get out towels, prep more food. I only made enough for Riley for the week.”
Her boss’s face froze, his lack of communication seriously catching up to him. Before he could apologize once again, his wife saved him. “Don’t worry, Annette. Cole and I will be here. If I need to help Riley cook up some extra food, I don’t mind, or I can have the young man over to our house.”
Riley just couldn’t let Lacey’s comment go. “Or he can cook his own food.” She was proud of herself for not voicing her real thought which was that the boy could cook his own damn food. She’d planned to cook for herself. That Annette had prepared meals for her didn’t sit well. It wasn’t like she was family, nor did she want to be. Being alone and separate was better.
Whisper laughed. “What she said. Annette, you enjoy your trip. We’re all adults here. We can take care of the place while you’re gone.” Whisper rose. “Now if I’m not mistaken, there’s a new horse in the barn that I need to meet. Dr. Jenna, want to grab your bag?”
Logan’s fia
ncée wiped her mouth and pushed back her chair. “Yes, I will.”
Whisper grabbed Riley’s shoulder. “What’s the new horse’s name?”
She put her forkful of meat back down on the plate. “It’s Lady. From what I understand, she’s just old, but I noticed a bit of competitiveness in her this afternoon. You want me to introduce you?”
Whisper’s hand on her shoulder tightened. “No. We’re good.”
She filled her mouth with meat to show she’d stay, but she’d be done shortly and planned to join them. As the conversation moved to other topics, she focused on wolfing down her food.
By time she’d finished, Lacey had offered to take care of setting up the bedroom across the hall from her. She didn’t mind sharing a bathroom with men, but a teenage boy who thought he knew more about horses than her was bound to be a problem.
She rose and brought her plate to the counter.
Cole stepped up next to her to add his to the sink. “Hey, I’m sorry about all that. I’ve got too much on my plate.”
“I know.” The question was, what was he going to do about it? “It happens.” She shrugged. She wanted things to change, but she wasn’t willing to make a commitment. The rescue horses deserved someone who would stay with them. Staying wasn’t her forte.
She’d been at Last Chance a year and eight months now. That was edging up toward being forever for her. So why wasn’t she leaving?
“I can’t let it happen.” Cole’s voice was filled with self-recrimination. “These horses depend on me. I need to get my act together.”
Ah, now that she understood. How many times had she said that to herself? She smirked as she headed for the doorway. “Good luck with that.” Not hanging around to hear his reply, she strode down the hall and out onto the front porch.
The sun, though starting its descent, was still strong with no clouds to steal its summer rays.
It was still better than Afghanistan. She let her gaze roam past the barn to the desert beyond, scanning for movement. It was a habit born out of survival. The Arizona desert was far different and far safer than the one overseas, but she couldn’t help it. She doubted she’d ever stop watching.
Or checking. Her hands automatically went to her pockets, taking inventory by feel, another habit she’d developed while deployed. One lip balm, packet of ibuprofen, and mints in the front pockets, SOG pocket knife and bandana in the back pockets.
Satisfied all was where it should be and the horizon was safe, she jogged down the steps. She had come a long way in the last few years. No more nightmares of being buried alive. No more binge eating or talking to herself. She was almost normal. Maybe in a few more years, she’d stop checking her supplies, too.
Stepping into the slightly cooler shade of the barn, she heard the two other women in the stall on the right. She felt more comfortable around them than around Lacey. Leaning on the door, she found Dr. Jenna examining the mare, Whisper standing out of the way.
“Did you learn anything?”
Whisper kept her gaze on Lady. “She doesn’t think she’s old. But you were right, she’s definitely competitive.” The woman shrugged. “It feels like she’d had a good life so far.”
“Does she miss her companions?” She hoped it was bothering her more than it did the horse that the two geldings wouldn’t arrive for another couple days.
Whisper’s mouth quirked up. “Actually, she likes having time away from them. I get the feeling they bother her sometimes.”
At that news, she relaxed. “Good to know. I’ll be sure to give her some girl time then even after they arrive.”
“Good idea.”
Dr. Jenna returned her ophthalmoscope to her black bag. “She’s a very healthy mare for her age. I just need to check her medical record, but unless she’s behind on any shots, she’s as healthy as Cyclone.”
“Only with less issues.” Riley couldn’t help adding. After all, the big guy was Dr. Jenna’s.
Jenna shrugged. “If Cyclone didn’t have issues, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with him.” She picked up her heavy bag. “That’s what Last Chance is for, horses with issues.”
Riley opened the stall door so the two women could exit. Maybe that’s why she was here so long. Last Chance seemed to be the perfect place for a person like herself…a person with issues.
Chapter Three
Garrett sat at the bar of the Black Mustang and nursed his beer. Tomorrow, he’d drive out to Cave Creek to pick up the other two horses from Wyatt, who would probably follow him back to Last Chance and make sure Riley gave them everything they needed.
He didn’t envy her that. Just from what he’d seen, Wyatt was overly picky. The only reason he’d been patient with the man is the pain of loss in his eyes. It was one of the reasons he was sitting at the Black Mustang, hoping to catch Cole when he came in before he and his men took over the pool table in the back. Cole, who was very by-the-book himself, might have a difficult time with Wyatt.
But that wasn’t the main reason he waited. He’d become even more curious about Riley O’Hare, especially when she’d invaded his dreams last night. Calling what he had a dream was being generous. It was like an old-fashioned acid trip. It included Riley riding a winged Cyclone, encouraging him to pull Cole’s new house up into the sky. While he’d been herding wild mustangs directly into the barn, which had grown to five stories high inside and looked more like a parking garage. He’d jerked awake just as Cole’s house landed on the open top story of the barn.
At least there’d been no fire. No trees either. That fact alone had him feeling like a normal human being. He’d had “normal” dreams for almost a year now, though none quite as odd as last night’s.
A hand landed on his shoulder. “Hey, Walker! Isn’t this a little late for you to be out? What happen? You take a nap today?”
He knew that voice without even looking. “Mason.” Turning around, he pushed the firefighter away. “What are you doing here? Mommy lift your curfew?”
Scott Mason, who was the size of a pro linebacker, laughed. “I thought you’d moved up north.”
“I did, but I’m back.”
“Man, you look good. From what I’d heard, you were at death’s door.”
Obviously, Cole hadn’t said anything. He shrugged. “Exaggeration and hearsay.”
Mason, who sported a bald head and a mustache now, moved a stool out of his way and stood against the bar. “Hey, Cutter. Two drafts. One for my friend here.”
The bartender with the earing nodded as he moved for the cold glasses.
“So, where you living now?”
Garrett swallowed the rest of his current beer before answering. “In Wickenburg.”
“Ack, Canterbury is better. If you want to move, just say the word. I can get you out of your lease in a heartbeat.”
“No lease. Got my own place. You don’t think I’d dare entrust my living quarters to you girls, do you?”
Mason laughed again, his bigger than life smile and personality a hit with the ladies. The man was only serious when he was on the job and even then, it was sporadic. “You should join us for a few games.” With his head, he gestured toward the pool table at the back of the bar. “I wouldn’t mind drinking for free all night.”
Garrett pointedly looked behind Mason. “We? You still playing with imaginary friends?”
“Yeah, you know Hatcher and Clark. We also recruited Alvarez and Maddox after Jenkins and Garcia transferred to the Peoria station. They all imagine themselves good pool players.” Another laugh followed that statement. “You should join us. We need some—ah shit, they’re here.”
He turned in his chair to see all four Canterbury firefighters walking in.
“Look who I found!” Mason yelled loud enough to be heard in the parking lot.
They all came over to greet him, Cole last. Beers were ordered as he traded insults with each of them. They hadn’t changed as far as he could see, except maybe brawnier. Cole must have prevailed on the chief to add th
e gym he’d always wanted when he first transferred.
They probably wouldn’t see changes in him either. But a lot had happened in the five years he’d been gone.
Cole, as usual, took charge. “Why don’t you boys start? I’ll be over for the next round. I’m going to see if I can’t get Walker to join us.”
As the firefighters headed for the pool table, Cole took the seat next to him. “I’m guessing you being here tonight wasn’t a coincidence.”
He lifted his draft in salute. “I always said you were the smart one.”
Cole’s gaze moved from his. “Smart, maybe, but lately I’ve been dropping balls everywhere. I can’t even remember were some of them rolled to.”
“Too much on your plate?”
He nodded.
“I hate to add more to it, but I wanted to talk to you about Wyatt.”
“Wyatt?” Cole’s brows lowered in confusion.
The man really did have too much on his plate. “Yes, Wyatt Ford, the grandson of Earl Ford where the most recent rescue horses are coming from?”
“Yes. Like I said, can’t even find where the stupid balls have rolled.” Cole took a swig of beer then set his glass on the bar. “What about Wyatt? When I talked to him at the ranch, he was pretty broken up. Had a hard time staying focused. He kept repeating that he had to be sure the horses were well cared for. That’s why I invited him to stay at Last Chance for a while until he was satisfied they would have a good life there.”
“Yeah, I got the feeling his obsession about the horses had to do with his loss as well, but it can be irritating.”
“How so?”
He didn’t want to make Wyatt appear a pain in the ass, but he very easily could be. “When I picked up the mare, he had me read two pages of instructions on how to transport the horses.”
Cole picked up his beer and took another swallow before responding. “That could be a problem, especially if he shows up at Last Chance with an entire book. Those horses are just older. They’re not nearly as complicated as others we’ve had. His loss of perspective could rub people the wrong way.”
