"Yes, me. Ethan Bishop, to be exact. I see you found your way to civilization," he said, the words clipped.
She threw her shoulders back as if trying to stand as tall as possible, which wasn't much due to her petite frame. Her voice dripped icicles. "Yes, and no killer chickens barred my path. Ophelia also has something called manners. They're quite lovely."
He regarded her with distaste. "Ophelia is nice to everyone. I'm more selective. I was just telling Chloe how much I appreciate punctuality."
Her teeth gnashed. Animosity radiated from her figure. "I had something important to clear up first."
"Next time you have a fashion crisis, I'd choose footwear that's more practical for walking through horse dung. Chloe, your boots work fine. But next time, wear jeans. There's ticks and it's better to have your legs covered."
Chloe glanced back and forth at them in confusion. "Umm, have you guys met before?"
"Briefly. She made a wrong turn, in more ways than one. Follow me."
He ignored Mia's gasp, turned, and started walking, not bothering to see if they'd follow. Chloe kept pace. Mia was probably trying to keep her balance with the uneven ground and her silly shoes, but that wasn't his problem. He concentrated on Chloe, since she was the one he'd be working with. "You have to fulfill a certain amount of hours per day, but as long as you put in the work, I'm flexible. I'll show you a couple of tasks, and we'll see where you're suited best. The farm has two functions: we offer riding lessons and boarding, and we also rescue and sell horses. There are two separate barns, but everyone works together, so you'll meet all the volunteers and employees in both sections."
He heard a small yelp and stopped short. "You okay back there?"
"Fine. Just a rock," Mia spit out.
He tried not to smile at her smothered curse and kept talking. "You'll be doing a lot of cleaning tasks at first, but as you get more comfortable, we'll give you some more interesting stuff to do."
"Will I be able to ride the horses?"
"Not during work hours, but if you're interested, I'm sure we can set up some lessons."
"Sweet."
"Here we are." The massive red barns came into view, with all the chaotic activity that had once formed the seams of his life. Chickens roamed freely, and various horses were penned in gates amid hay and water buckets while people swarmed around, focused on their tasks. Wheezy chased his playmate, barking and nipping at Bolt's tail. Another one of Harper's rescues, the spotted white-and-black pup adored Wheezy and consistently trotted after him in canine hero worship. Battered trucks parked in a line among tractors, horse trailers, and endless mechanical equipment that all held a purpose. He led them around a horse getting hosed down and into the cool darkness of the barn--a place he had spent most of his childhood. The dank scents, along with the memories, rose up to greet him.
Noses poked out of stalls, smelling guests, and Ethan walked down the line, giving a greeting to each of the animals. "I think the best thing to do is give you a guide on what's in the barn and what everything's used for. Then you can give some carrots to the horses to get familiar with them."
"Is this really safe?" Mia asked. "She has no experience. I don't want her getting hurt or being pushed to do something she's not comfortable with."
"I don't intend to promise comfort. But I can promise I'll never put her in harm's way or make her do something dangerous."
She nodded, seeming to ponder his words, and he turned his back on her again. "Chloe, come with me." He took her into the stall filled with saddles, bridles, and other horse equipment, where they spent some time going over the various pieces and how they worked with the horses. She paid close attention, asking intelligent questions, and by the end of the hour, he felt a bit better about his new apprentice. Hell, he'd even consider keeping her on if it wasn't for her pain-in-the-ass companion. No way was he getting stuck with her high-drama ways all summer. Chloe had mentioned she wasn't her biological aunt, which probably meant the woman was dating Chloe's father and didn't relish being the new stepmother. Mia even refused to go near the horses, choosing to wrinkle her nose from the smell and stand quietly to the side.
"John!" He motioned over one of the assistants. "This is Chloe. She'll be helping us out this summer. Can you give her a quick tour of the other barn? Also, show her the office--she may be able to help do invoices and stuff for Harper."
"Sure thing." His brown face wreathed in a welcome smile, showing off a gold tooth. He was stout, round, and so muscular, he could easily lift and haul equipment with barely a sweat. He'd been working at the farm for years and was Harper's main right hand. "Hey, I like your lipstick!"
"Thanks."
Ethan shook his head as John chattered and led the girl away. Pulling in a breath, he faced Mia. "Can you tell me the dynamics so I know what's going on? She said you were her aunt but not by blood. Her dad's not here. Where's her mom?"
Evidently by her glowering stare, he was being rude again. "Why is that your business?"
"Why is it a trade secret? I'll be working with her daily, and I'd like to get my bearings. She's getting community service for a reason, and sometimes kids act out when there's crap going on at home. I just want to know what I'm dealing with."
She stared at him for a while, and those golden eyes flashed with hidden temper. Yeah, she definitely didn't like him, either. He couldn't think of a time when a woman wasn't interested. He'd never been egotistical about it--just happy female companionship was easy for him. Mia could be a fun challenge if he'd been up for it or if she was someone with potential. Was it the beard she hated? Or his bad temper? Maybe Harper was right. He'd let his appearance and social skills plummet since he'd arrived home.
"Fine. Chloe's father is running for office. He can't leave his job for the summer, so he sent me here to look out for her. Her mom passed away two years ago."
Sympathy cut through him. He'd practically fallen apart after his mother's death, and he'd been a full-fledged adult. "Tough. Lake, right? Oh, he's running for mayor."
She pursed her lips like she'd tasted something rotten. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't run off and gossip to your friends about this. Chloe needs to stay under the radar, for her sake and her father's. If the press got a hold of the story, you'd put her in a difficult situation."
"I'll try not to spout off at my next bingo get-together. I just want to know about Chloe. You and Lake are hooked up, then?"
"That is none of your business. I'm here to watch Chloe and do my job and hopefully stay away from you."
He grinned. Kind of fun to get her riled up. "Trust me, princess. You couldn't do one task around here without crying over breaking a nail. I'll stay out of your hair if you stay out of mine."
Her eyes sparked whiskey fire. "Oh, I get it. You think because I dress nice and don't get all mushy over horses and don't like the smell of a barn that I'm beneath you. You think I'm a silly, clueless, conceited, stupid female who doesn't have a clue about the real world. How am I doing so far?"
"I never thought 'stupid.'"
She practically spit in outrage. "I deal with sharks and barracudas on a regular basis. I was born and bred in New York City and learned more street lessons than you could in a lifetime. I've built a successful PR business from the ground up in one of the most competitive industries in the world. So don't talk down to me, horse man, just because I like a good designer brand. Got it?"
Surprise flashed through him. Well, damned if her temper wasn't the best part of her. It was certainly entertaining, and more honest than the rest of her. Too bad she was in such a sleazy profession. Publicity was as bad as politics. There were no morals, no rules, and no ethics in the PR business. It was based on who spun lies better and who won, not how the game was played.
God knows he'd experienced that firsthand.
"Yeah, I got it. But let's lay out a few ground rules for you, too." He cocked a hip and regarded her with a lazy dismissal he knew would piss her off. "Chloe is my responsibility while sh
e works for me, and I don't appreciate any interference. I'll make sure she's safe, respected, and taken care of, but I don't need any high-maintenance distractions for any of us around here. Especially drama. We all have jobs to do, so if you don't want to get dirt on your fancy clothes or bugs in your pretty hair, or if you don't enjoy the smell of sweat and horse manure, I'd suggest you stay at the inn, where things are more . . . civilized. You can do your computer work and sip tea on the porch during the day. I'll deliver Chloe back around five, and you can eat a nice dinner together and do some evening shopping. But I think we can both agree keeping Chloe busy and tired will keep her out of trouble. Correct?"
Steam rose from her. She took a step forward, her nostrils flaring, eyes burning, reminding Ethan of a not-yet-broken filly who still believed she was in charge and vowed to prove it. Damned if a strange crackle of attraction didn't zip right through him before he reminded himself this woman was a nightmare of epic proportions and exactly the type he vowed to avoid. Unfortunately, he'd always been a sucker for a challenge, especially a feisty, passionate filly.
But he'd stick to the horses.
"You"--she breathed in fury, pointing her finger in the air--"are an arrogant, egotistical, ill-mannered boor! The only reason you surround yourself with horses is because you suck at people skills. As for Chloe, I'm the one in charge of her this summer, and I'll be the one who decides if she's taken care of and respected. I don't trust you to do either. I'll be keeping a close eye on you and ready to kick your ass if you step out of line. And those are my ground rules, horse man."
She pivoted on her wedged heel and stalked out of the barn.
She didn't trust him? Was she kidding? The woman couldn't find her way to a summer inn without depending on a computer app or neon signs. She disliked animals. She wore designer clothes to a farm, like she was ready to be photographed any moment. And she was definitely banging the father. Why else would she volunteer to accompany his daughter?
Oh, he had to get the judge to transfer Chloe. No way could he put up with that woman all summer.
The scream bounced off the rafters and startled the horses.
He raced out and found her pressed against the side of the barn. Hei Hei was blocking her path, his wings shaking in excitement, pecking madly at nothing on the ground in his usual display of emotion when he sensed a person didn't like him. His tendency to charge at random and his crazy feathers had earned him a reputation at the farm. He was harmless, but Ethan decided not to tell Mia that important fact.
Not yet.
"Get him away from me," she choked out. "I'll sue you if he pecks me, Ethan, I swear it!"
"Just stay still," he warned. "Don't move a muscle, and he won't charge."
A shrill shriek escaped her lips.
He couldn't help it. He burst into laughter.
"Wow, what a kick-ass chicken!" Chloe ran up, staring at the crazed fowl in excitement. "Mia, are you okay?"
"Chloe! Stay away from him, honey; he's dangerous."
Ethan whistled. "Hei Hei, no. Go pick on someone your own size." The chicken regarded Mia, then turned toward Chloe, rushing toward her. "He won't hurt you, Chloe. He likes to play."
Chloe knelt down, and the chicken raced around her in mad circles, clucking madly, happily imitating Wheezy, whom he thought he was. Chloe laughed in delight, putting out her hand, and the chicken pushed against her in ecstasy. "You named him Hei Hei," she said. "Just like in Moana!"
"Yeah, my sisters, Ophelia and Harper, are Disney nuts. Most of the animals have been named straight from Disney movies. If you like them, the B & B has a killer DVD collection."
"That's lit. You watched Moana, right, Mia?" Chloe asked.
Mia gingerly left the wall of the barn, glaring at both Ethan and the chicken. "I've never watched a Disney movie," she retorted. "And after meeting that psycho chicken, I don't think I'm going to."
Ethan stared at her in astonishment. Chloe gasped.
"You've never watched Disney?" Chloe practically shrieked. "What type of life have you led? How is that possible?"
Mia shrugged. "My parents were more the All the President's Men type. I grew up watching the History channel for fun."
"Maybe if you had a better relationship with animated animals, you'd be less afraid of real ones," he pointed out.
He didn't think it was possible, but her glare grew even darker. "Just keep your chicken away from me. Is the tour over?"
"Yep. Chloe, I have some business tomorrow, so I'll meet you at ten a.m. here in the barn."
"Okay."
"Mia, I'll see you--"
"Hopefully never," she grumbled. "Thanks. It's been enlightening."
Chloe looked at him in confusion, shrugged, and followed Mia back up the path. He watched them go while Hei Hei mourned for his new friend. The back of her silk shirt was smeared with dirt, and there was a tiny tear where a nail had dug in.
Shaking his head, Ethan headed into the barn, pushing Mia out of his mind.
Mia sipped her lemon water and allowed herself another drizzle of vinaigrette on her greens for an added treat. The cafe was simple and small but boasted healthy options and allowed them some privacy, since it was practically empty. She'd noticed some type of market place on Main Street that looked interesting, but the signage had been terrible, and she'd passed it before she realized what it was. Not that it mattered. Chloe was equally unimpressed with any of her suggestions, even though SUNY New Paltz was a few miles from town, and she knew her surroundings well.
Mia figured she'd be on her own a lot.
As long as Ethan stayed far away from her. Oh, she'd caught his glee when the chicken had attacked her. And of course, his assumption she was sleeping with Chloe's father was evident. She'd been so mad, she refused to deny the charges. Let him think what he wanted.
"How do you feel about working with the horses?" she asked.
Chloe picked at her panini with a chipped black nail and ate the homemade chips instead. Mia tried not to look at them. Crispy and thin, sprinkled with sea salt, they cried out to her, but she kept the image of that Gucci dress in her mind. She would not let all her work go to hell this summer for a few chips. She had control. "Better than picking up garbage," she muttered. "Ethan seemed nice, though. How come you don't like him?"
She tried to find an answer that encompassed the endless list of reasons. "He thinks he knows it all," she said. "If he does anything to upset you, just tell me. I'll take care of it."
"Whatever."
She fell back into silence.
Great. Mia tried again. "Do you like New Paltz? I was surprised you wanted to study upstate. What made you pick the school?"
"Dad wouldn't let me go out of state. Figured this was far enough away to have a life of my own."
"What are you studying in school?"
Her voice was full of suffering, as if the conversation was killing her. "Psych."
"Sounds interesting."
No response.
Mia mentally strangled Jonathan Lake. The girl hadn't said more than a handful of words to her since they'd sat down. "I know your father was shocked when he heard about the cheating and vandalism. Said it wasn't like you at all. What made you do it?"
Her direct question seemed to startle the girl, but Mia had learned early in life that sometimes the best way to connect was to ask the hard stuff. No use pretending it didn't happen. Chloe's blue eyes flickered with anger before fading just as fast. "I was crapping out in bio. Kept asking the professor for extra-credit assignments or help, but he gave me nothing. I didn't want my whole GPA to tank in the first semester."
Mia lifted a brow. "How'd that work out for you?"
The shrugging was back. "It didn't. Thanks for the reminder."
Mia let out a breath. Even though she frowned upon the girl's actions, a surge of sympathy hit her. "I'm not trying to give you a lecture, Chloe. I just know that academic probation must've been a hard thing to accept. Why would you take it up a notch by vandali
zing his car? Didn't you realize it was a criminal act?"
Chloe's teeth bit down on her black lower lip. Her hands fisted around her napkin, showing off an elaborate silver thumb ring. "I fucked up, okay? I'll do my time, but what I don't need is you pretending to be some mother figure who's suddenly gonna change me into this perfect politician's daughter. I get enough of that from my dad. Look, let's just do our thing. I'll stay out of trouble so Dad can be mayor, and we don't have to see each other after the summer."
Mia's bullshit meter was buzzing loudly. Why? Something seemed off, even with all the angry rebellion coming her way. "Well, I'll respect your decision, but I'd truly like to get to know you better. Not because your dad is forcing me, but because it would be nice to have a friend out here."
"Whatever. Look, my friends want to go out later, so I need to get back."
Mia tilted her head and narrowed her gaze. "You start early tomorrow. Maybe you should skip hitting the town tonight until you get into a routine?"
Stubbornness emanated from the girl in waves. "I'll be there on time. Unless you really do want to jail me in the floral room and watch me die slowly of boredom."
Mia swallowed a frustrated growl. Is this what she was in for? Sarcasm and drama? She reminded herself one more time that she was an adult. She could do this. Kind of. "Fine, I'll get you back. I'd like to meet your friends, though."
Her eyes widened in horror. "No! That's just way too weird for me. I'm nineteen, not twelve."
Mia shifted her weight in the chair. Maybe she'd call Jonathan later and ask if she needed to check out her friends. She had no idea what was cool or not. "Fine. Let's go."
The Start of Something Good Page 5
