by Ava Winters
Luisa took a sip of her drink. Her throat felt so dry. She expected Mr. McAdams to change the direction of the conversation like he usually did, but instead he continued to look at her. She decided to continue. “Ian has taken me to see your wife’s garden. It is beautiful. When he first took me there, I only knew the names of some of the plants there, but I was able to find a book that had drawings and names of most of the other plants in the garden. I love the Texas sage and the red yucca. The oak and elm trees provide the perfect amount of shade from the hot sun.”
Mr. McAdams cleared his throat. “The red yucca plant was her favorite,” he murmured softly. He looked off into the distance as if he was remembering something, or was it someone?
“I can see why. It flowers all summer long,” Luisa responded. “And the color of the flowers is unique. I like the various shades of red.”
For the rest of the meal, Luisa and Mr. McAdams talked about his wife’s garden. He even asked her opinion about some of the plants that he had added after his wife’s death. She discovered that Mr.
McAdams had continued his wife’s tradition by scouring the hills that surrounded the Thunder Valley Ranch, looking for new and rare plants to transplant in the garden. Luisa looked at Ian when Mr. McAdams mentioned this, and she saw surprise on his face. She could tell that Ian hadn’t been aware that his father had been taking trips in the hills for that purpose.
When dessert was served, a delicious apple cobbler with cream on top, Luisa changed the subject and asked Mr. McAdams who his favorite author was. He didn’t answer for a long moment and Luisa wondered if he wasn’t going to.
“Charles Dickens,” he finally blurted out.
Luisa smiled at him. “I enjoy his books too. My favorite is The Christmas Carol. I read that book every December with …” she paused, stopping herself from saying that she read it with her father. She quickly added, “I also like David Copperfield.”
She actually wasn’t surprised to learn that Mr. McAdams’ favorite author was David Copperfield. She had seen that he had a copy of every book the author had ever written, even the few that weren’t as popular.
“Have you read A Tale of Two Cites?” Mr. McAdams asked.
Luisa nodded. “I did last summer. It took me three months to get through it, but it was worth it.”
Then something amazing happened. Mr. McAdams began to ask her what she thought of different events in the book. As they talked, Luisa marveled that he seemed like a different man. He began to relax and show interest in her opinions.
She was able to disagree with him over one part of the book that she hadn’t particularly liked, and he didn’t even glare at her. There were a few times when she glanced at Ian, and she noticed that he seemed content to listen to her talk with his father, but he did have a slight look of confusion.
When dinner was finally over, Mr. McAdams left for his office, like he usually did. Luisa followed Ian into the parlor, and they sat next to each other on a flowered sofa.
“I have to admit that I’m shocked that you were able to actually have a real conversation with my father,” Ian said.
“I am too, but it was actually kind of fun. I was able to find out something that we have in common,” Luisa replied as she smoothed her skirts around her. “He even started to relax. I’ve never seen him do that before.”
Ian nodded. “I believe that he thinks that he has a reputation to uphold. He can’t let anyone see a softer side to him.”
“I think he’s afraid to,” Luisa said softly.
Ian narrowed his eyes as he thought about her words. “You may be right,” he finally agreed with a nod. “I’m just glad that you were able to get him to talk about something other than business.”
“He misses your mother,” Luisa said.
“I never knew that he still went searching for plants to add to the garden. I thought that the gardener was doing that.” He picked up her hand and began to rub his thumb over her fingers. “You are pretty amazing, do you know that?”
Luisa couldn’t think of anything to say. She felt her face flush at his words. Ian moved closer to her and put his other hand under her chin, tilting her face so that she could see his eyes. “I have to admit something. I wasn’t thrilled when my father told me he had invited you to come for a visit. But now, I think I’m going to have to thank him. I am beginning to fall in love with you.”
Luisa gasped at his words as the seemed to land in her stomach and flutter around like butterflies. For the first time, she felt that she could be totally honest with him. “I’m falling in love with you, too,” she admitted breathlessly.
Ian smiled gently and then slowly lowered his lips to hers. He gave her such a perfect kiss, Luisa knew that she would remember it for the rest of her life.
He paused and then kissed her again as he pulled her closer to him. She tried to memorize this moment, the smell of horses, leather, and Texas sun that seemed to surround them. A few seconds later, Ian pulled away, always the perfect gentleman.
He continued to smile at her as he tucked her hand into his arm.
“Let’s go for a walk in the moonlight and talk about the future,” Ian suggested as he pulled her to her feet.
Luisa didn’t answer, but she willingly followed him out of the parlor and into the twilight. The sun was setting in the west, creating a beautiful sunset in the sky. Red, orange, yellow, and even purple swirled together. A perfect sunset for the end of a perfect day.
She tried to memorize every moment of this time with Ian because she instinctively knew that it would be ending soon.
Chapter 18
A few days later, Stefan decided that it was time to start working with Gladiator by more than just letting him get used to his new home and surroundings, as well as the people who worked there.
He carefully attached a rope to the horse’s halter and led him into a nearby paddock before quickly closing the gate behind him. Stefan didn’t quite trust that the horse wouldn’t run off if he had the chance.
He returned to the barn and gathered up Gladiator’s saddle, saddle pad, and bridle to carry to the paddock where he set them on the wooden fence so that they’d be within easy reach.
Gladiator ran around the length of the padlock several times and Stefan could tell that he was enjoying his freedom, but he could also feel the horse’s nervousness and uncertainty. After a few minutes, he felt more than heard someone standing behind him. Before he even turned around, he knew that the person was Luisa.
“Good morning,” she greeted brightly.
Stefan didn’t answer for a moment. He couldn’t seem to form any words in his head. All he could do was stare at her.
For the first time that he could remember since he had met her, she hadn’t piled her hair in her usual style. This time, she had it pulled back in a thick braid that hung down her back. A few loose strands blew in the breeze. The sun shone on her hair and he could see red highlights.
Her light brown eyes sparkled, showing her delight in seeing him. She wore a simple light blue dress that showed off her curves.
“Hi,” Stefan finally stuttered when she began to look at him in confusion. “You’re early this morning.”
“I know. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up early.” Luisa’s attention moved to Gladiator as he continued to run around the padlock. “You have Gladiator out.” She said the words with a delighted smile. “What are you going to do?”
“He’s had time to get used to his new home. I want to try to ride him today.”
“Can I watch?” Luisa asked.
“Of course, although I have to ask you to—”
Luisa interrupted, “I know. I’ll be as quiet as a mouse and I won’t try to touch him or distract him. You can send me away if you think I’m causing any trouble.”
Stefan nodded. “I’m sure that you won’t.”
He knew that Luisa had followed his instructions when it came to Gladiator since that first day when he had bitten her.
He had als
o noticed that she had been very careful to not step in where she shouldn’t with any of the other horses, letting him know that she respected his role as a trainer on this ranch. He had been watching her with the horses when she did have permission to interact with them, and he could tell that she felt very comfortable around them. She definitely knew what she was doing.
They also seemed to respond to her which pleased him.
Stefan jumped over the fence and walked slowly towards Gladiator. For a long while, the horse continued to run around the padlock, keeping Stefan out of reach. He allowed the horse to do what he wished.
He was also very aware that Luisa was watching him, and he wondered what she was thinking. It took him a while to push her out of his mind and focus on the horse which was running around him.
He could tell that Gladiator was beginning to feel comfortable with him inside the paddock because he began to slow down. Eventually, he only walked slowly around. Stefan decided that he could approach him.
Gladiator stood still while Stefan grabbed ahold of his halter and carefully touched the horse all over his body. He had done this almost daily while the horse was in his stall. He could see the faint whip scars the horse had received from his previous owner.
Although the sight sickened him, Stefan did his best to push those emotions aside, knowing that Gladiator would immediately pick up on them.
Stefan continued to work with the horse and an hour later, he was able to put a saddle on him. Gladiator accepted the added weight fine, but he began to run around in circles again. Stefan decided to give him a few more minutes before he tried to mount him.
“Good job,” Luisa called out when Stefan had moved to the side of the paddock. “He’s doing well.”
“He’s an excellent horse. I don’t think that his previous owner totally ruined him.”
“That is good to hear. Are you going to try to ride him today?” she asked.
“Yep.” Stefan nodded. “I won’t be on him for long. I just want him to know that he can trust me.”
“I think that he already knows that.”
Just then, Gladiator stopped right in front of Stefan. He slowly walked to the fence and pushed his head towards Luisa. He snorted and then nodded his head up and down. Luisa looked at him, and Stefan knew that she was asking permission to touch him.
“Go ahead,” Stefan said.
Luisa’s face lit up with a smile and she carefully touched the side of his face. Gladiator seemed to lean into her hand, and she began to stroke him slowly as far as she could reach him over the wooden fence. Stefan was content to watch the girl and horse. He could tell that she loved horses as much as he did and seemed to understand them.
“I brought a treat,” Luisa said softly. “Can I give it to him?”
Stefan hesitated before nodding. He never liked the idea of giving horses treats and racehorses never received them during training or for racing, but Gladiator was no longer a racehorse. He figured that the horse deserved a few treats and to be spoiled by a beautiful woman.
Luisa pulled out an apple that she’d obviously cut into bite-sized pieces. She held them in the palm of her hand. Gladiator immediately, but gently, scooped them up with his large teeth.
“I think that you have just made a friend for life.” Stefan chuckled.
“He is beautiful,” Luisa responded almost reverently. “What are the plans for him?”
“I think that he will make a fine riding horse,” Stefan said. “Although the person who rides him will need to be able to handle a spirited horse.”
“Will Ian sell him once he’s ready?”
Stefan hesitated. He knew that Ian was thinking about it, especially because Mr. McAdams still didn’t know that Gladiator was even on the ranch. They wouldn’t be able to keep him a secret forever. “I’ll purchase him if Ian wants to sell him,” he suddenly decided. He was becoming very fond of this horse.
After a few more seconds of getting to know Luisa, Gladiator snorted and turned away. He took a few steps towards Stefan as if telling him that he was welcome to mount him, that he trusted him.
Stefan moved Gladiator into the middle of the paddock. He would rather have a large empty space to land on if Gladiator got it in his head to toss him off his back. He carefully put a foot into the stirrup and slowly eased onto Gladiator’s back.
The horse’s back shook for a few seconds before he settled down. Stefan patted his neck and whispered a few words of encouragement before urging him forward.
He only rode Gladiator for about five minutes before sliding to the ground. He didn’t want to push his luck. He was very surprised that he had gotten this far with the horse. After he removed the saddle, he led the horse out of the paddock and started walking to the nearby barn. Luisa walked beside them.
“He did well,” Luisa commented. “I wish that I could ride him.”
Stefan gave her a sharp glance. “I hope that—”
“I promise I won’t, not without your permission,” Luisa interrupted.
“Good. I’m glad I got as far as I did with him today.”
“I know that you would. He’s a terrific horse. He just needed to know that you would treat him with respect.” She looked around the ranch, almost turning a full circle. “He likes his new home.”
Luisa continued to keep Stefan company while he brushed Gladiator and then put him back in his stall. It was getting close to lunchtime, so Luisa said goodbye to Gladiator.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, Gladiator,” Luisa murmured. “You are a beautiful horse.”
“I can think of someone else who is beautiful,” Stefan said as he pulled her close to him. She looked at him in surprise and then delight as he gave her a slow, gentle kiss.
Chapter 19
Amanda hurried to a cluster of large rocks that stood at the edge of the Thunder Valley Ranch. Stefan had suggested the day before that they meet there.
Ever since their impromptu picnic, and then the morning that she had spent watching him with Gladiator, they had been spending quite a bit of time together. Amanda could see Stefan relax more as they did so. This time, she was determined to ask him a question that she had been wondering about.
He had made a comment the day before about a previous woman in his life and she wanted to know about her.
Stefan was already there when she arrived. She couldn’t help but run into his arms and he caught her, surprise in his eyes. She had been very careful to keep things as formal as possible between them.
But when she saw him standing waiting for her, she couldn’t help herself. He looked larger than life in his brown pants, blue shirt, and black cowboy hat.
He even had a red bandana around his neck that Amanda knew he used to cover his face to keep dust out of his mouth when needed.
Stefan laughed as he swung her around in a large circle. Then Stefan stopped and looked down at her. He removed his black hat and threw it onto a rock and then tucked his finger under her chin before carefully giving her a soft kiss.
Amanda had never experienced the emotions she felt with that one kiss. The attraction that she had felt from the moment she first met him began to burst within her. She wanted the kiss to go on forever, but he stepped away from her. He did keep her hand in his though. They began to walk towards the nearby hills.
“Which horses have you worked with today?” Amanda asked brightly.
