by Wild Horses
Dani’s beautiful gaze shifted and her head tipped down. “I didn’t catch anything, I just told you.”
“You did good,” he praised. He gave in to his urges and slid his arms around her, enjoying her softness. Her hat fell to sit on her back as she buried her face in his chest and let out a deep, heaving breath.
Something was wrong. He sensed it even if she didn’t speak. She was upset about Sweet Pea, sure, but he’d assured her the horse would likely be okay—what was it keeping her so tense, so shaken?
His fingers moved under her chin to lift her face to his. “It’ll be okay.”
Breathless seconds passed while she stared at him, big eyes shining like tears were about to fall. His heart contracted with the ache of seeing her hurt. He leaned down, hoping a taste of those soft lips might urge her fear away.
But she turned her head sharply away from him and ducked out of his arms. “I’d better start my chores.”
Adam stared after her, wondering what the hell was going on.
****
“We’ve looked into the number—it’s a disposable cell we can’t track,” Dr. Van Ike said on the phone.
Dani sighed, leaning against the wall in her room, and resisted the urge to beat her head against it. “So what do I do?”
“I’d say send your phone in an expedited package to me and we’ll wait to see if any other messages show up. My opinion is to continue not responding, but this way I can listen to any messages that come and they don’t need to stress you.”
A little too late for that, Doc. Dani rubbed at her eyes. “Okay. There’s stuff going on here so I might not get to it until tomorrow.”
“No problem. You just keep doing what you’re doing, keeping a low profile, and you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Fine except that she was rattled to her core. She said her goodbyes and hung up, staring for a moment at the cordless plastic receiver of Gus’s phone that she’d used—she still didn’t want to touch hers after that voicemail.
It was early afternoon and she’d finished her chores, picked at a sandwich for lunch, and could probably relax for a while since Angela likely didn’t want her help, but Dani didn’t think she could just stand around doing nothing. She slipped her feet back into her boots and started for the living room, first to return the phone, and then to head outside.
Through the living room window, she spotted Carlee still wandering the arena with Sweet Pea. Dani wanted to take back every ill thought she’d ever had about the poor woman.
She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and headed outside.
Adam stood near Mark’s SUV, speaking quietly to the vet. Dani slipped past them and straight for the arena. Her legs and feet ached, muscles she barely knew she had aching—she couldn’t remember the last job she’d had that had her walking so much. Even behind the counter on a busy day at the cafe, it wasn’t like this. Still, she realized, being on the ranch was less of a job and more of a lifestyle. They had set hours, sure, but as Sweet Pea proved, the job didn’t really end.
And despite the crisis of the day, she wasn’t entirely sure she’d trade it for any other job at the moment.
She ducked between the rungs of the fence and went out into the arena. Carlee was turned back around, her expression haggard and steps slow.
“Hey,” Dani called with forced brightness. She extended her hand with the bottle of water, which Carlee accepted. “How about I take over for a while?”
Carlee hesitated, glancing at her horse and chewing her bottom lip.
“You’re probably exhausted,” Dani continued. “Have a drink and go talk to the vet. Maybe take a nap or have some lunch. I’ll walk him.”
“I don’t want to ask you to—”
“You’re not asking. I’m telling. Take a break.”
Carlee smiled, and even not at full blast, her smile was infectious. “Thank you.”
Dani shifted uncomfortably and took the lead. “It’s nothing.”
“No, I mean it. You’ve been really great. Thanks, Dani.”
“Um...you’re welcome.” Very rarely did people thank her for anything, so Dani just looked away and started walking the horse again.
We’ve entered The Twilight Zone. When I’m actually able to blog about this, I’ll have to embellish and say I did mean things or people will never believe it.
Chapter Thirteen
Dani had been in the arena three hours walking Sweet Pea.
Adam glanced out to check on her a few times, but she just wandered, keeping to herself. A week ago, if someone had told him she’d offer to walk the horse in place of Carlee and acted so concerned and helpful, he’d never have believed it. And now he felt like shit for ever doubting her.
Mark had headed back to the clinic with promises to check in frequently later. Carlee had pulled a chair up in the living room so she could stair out the window at the field. She rubbed at her sore feet, drank three glasses of water, and opted for an apple and some crackers for lunch. Adam thought he caught her take a twenty minute catnap, but it was hard to say as her eyes were heavy all afternoon anyway.
“I should head back out there,” she said with a yawn. “Dani’s probably exhausted.”
Car doors slammed in the distance—Gus and Dewey were probably finally home. “How about we send Dewey out there for an hour, then you can take the next shift while he worries about dinner?”
She smiled gratefully up at him. “You don’t think he’ll mind?”
“He’s probably been worried this whole time—he’ll be glad to help. You know that.”
Carlee nodded and rested her head on the back of the chair again. “That I do. Okay—for a bit.”
Adam slipped outside, nodded to Gus as he headed for the house, then gestured for Dewey to follow. The afternoon sun was low but hot, streaking the sand in the outdoor arena orange.
“Is Carlee okay?” Dewey asked once he’d caught up.
“Resting. I suggested you take the next shift before dinner.”
“Jackson’s been out there awhile?”
“She has.”
Dewey cut him a look—one Adam tried to ignore. “Maybe she’s not so useless? Starting to grow on you?”
Yep, Adam was definitely ignoring him. No sense advertising something that probably wasn’t going anywhere.
“Angela and the kids?”
“She managed them fine this afternoon,” Adam said. “I helped saddle the horses. No problems.”
Dani saw them coming and turned Sweet Pea around, heading to the middle of the arena to meet them. Her hat hung on her back by the strap around her neck and steps were slower than when she’d started out. She was likely exhausted but smiled anyway.
“Dewey’s taking over,” he called as they neared.
She didn’t argue, just handed off the lead to Dewey and continued on when Adam turned and started for the house.
“He hadn’t gone down or rolled or anything,” she said.
“Carlee’s been glued to the living room window.”
“Ah. Not surprised.” Dani gave a little wave in the direction of the window even though sunlight glinted from the glass and no one could be seen.
They moved in comfortable silence though Adam’s stomach twisted nervously. As they reached the porch overhang, his steps slowed and hers followed suit; at last she paused and looked back at him when they stood in the shade.
Words left him, whatever he’d been planning to say just leaving his head all together.
Dani leaned her shoulder against the side of the house and sighed. “Is the vet coming back?”
Adam nodded. “Later tonight.”
“I think I need to sit down and just not walk again for the next six years.”
“So...” Just ask. Get it over with. “What would you say to heading into town for dinner?”
Her eyes widened at the request and he braced for her to decline—none too politely, he was sure—but instead a smile crossed her lips. She inched closer and tilt
ed her head as she gazed up at him. “Are you asking me on a date?”
He longed to reach for her right there but even out of sight, people could come by at any time. He kept his hands firmly at his sides. “That depends on your answer.”
“What’s the point of asking if you already know I’m going to say yes?”
“You’re going to say yes?”
“Maybe.”
Adam sighed. “Do you want to go into town for dinner?”
She grinned widely and his heart sped. “Yes. Just, uh...” Dani made a face. “Let me shower first.”
****
Going out on a proper date was way better than having quick sex in a barn, or so Dani thought. Honestly, she’d never had sex in a barn before, but surely a date was better. Less hay in unmentionable places.
Unless, of course, Stirling Falls restaurants were in barns. Then it would be a tossup.
She’d dressed well—she hoped. A denim mini skirt, white camisole, and white, short sleeved plaid shirt—the ensemble contrasted nicely with her dark skin but fit the country vibe. She did skip the cowboy boots in favor of her strappy, high-heeled sandals. Those combined with actual makeup, and she was starting to feel like herself again.
Adam was waiting outside the house by the ranch pickup truck. She cast a glance toward the kitchen as she walked through the living room, but Gus and Dewey didn’t look up. Maybe Adam had told them they were going out? A blush suffused her cheeks, making her feel like a teenager again.
She slipped outside the house and closed the door behind her. The sun was falling, sky shades of purple, pink, and deep orange. The light glinted off the truck, where Adam leaned casually.
He’d cleaned up as well and her heart did a trippy dance. Fresh jeans and a button down black shirt. He’d shaved and she suspected if she got up close—which she definitely would be—she’d smell aftershave and soap from the shower.
Adam stepped back and opened the truck door for her. Dani’s stomach fluttered nervously as she climbed in.
“You’re quite the gentleman this evening,” she said.
“I can be,” he shut the door and gazed at her through the open passenger window with a grin, “on occasion.”
She fussed with her seatbelt while he got in the driver’s side and started the truck. “So where are we going?”
“Well,” he wheeled them away from the house and down the long driveway, “there aren’t a whole lot of options. Chinese buffet is one of them.” A glance at her, as if to gauge her reaction, then he looked back at the road. “Wasn’t my first choice either. Then there’s the Bar and Grill downtown. Usual place—bar, decent food, pool table.”
“Country music?”
“Oh, you’re not going anywhere in town without that.”
“I’ll just try to block it out.”
“That’s what I did before I started picturing you singing to it in your underwear.”
She chuckled and leaned back in the seat, watching the scenery roll by. She’d become quite accustomed to things after driving into town on errands the past few days, but happily took it in as a passenger instead of a driver who didn’t entirely know where she was going. “So what brought you to Thompson Hills Quarter Horse Farm?”
When Adam didn’t answer, Dani glanced at him; his gaze was focused on the road, both hands at two and ten o’clock holding the steering wheel in a death grip.
Silence.
“I needed work,” he said at last. “Gus offered me help.”
“Help” was an interesting choice of word. But Dani didn’t ask further because the air had grown tense between them and she didn’t want to push.
“And you?” he asked, cocking a brow and giving her a sideways glance.
Now that, she didn’t want to get into either. Not just because she had some creepy guy stalking her and wasn’t supposed to have anyone know where she was, but also because she kind of liked him not knowing who she was. A lot of friends would worry, right in the middle of a conversation, and ask, “Are you going to blog about this? Will you say this on Twitter?” She wondered, often, how many things her friends kept from her for fear she’d tell the world their secrets.
And it wasn’t like she ever had. No names. No photos, unless with permission. But blogging about her personal life for a few years now had left those close to her concerned they might end up in her posts.
“Needed a place to stay for a while,” she said. “Gus said to come over as long as I worked. Which, when I’m not being trampled or grossed out, I try to do.”
“You’re doing well,” he said. “You’ve come a long way.”
Huh. That almost sounded complimentary, but she held off saying anything as he swung the truck into Stirling Falls.
Only a handful of shop windows gleamed with light and life at this hour, most places having closed up by six. The Bar and Grill was easy to spot with a flickering orange OPEN sign in the window and three people out front smoking. When Adam parked the car, they exited the vehicle; his hand found hers, warm fingers lacing them together, and a happy thrill went through her. The smoking patrons parted, allowing them to enter the dimly lit bar and restaurant.
Tantalizing smells filled the air. The place was bustling, with people along the bar drinking and feasting on nachos, and about half the room’s tables filled. Adam kept walking, gently pulling her to a booth at the back as she swung her gaze around, taking in the scene. Music played low over the speakers, the twang she was now quite familiar with. They sat side by side at a corner booth with a lamp hanging low over the middle of the table. The seats were worn vinyl but the table surface was wiped down and clean.
Adam gestured to the waitress and minutes later she returned with menus and two glasses of water. The menus were laminated, double-sided business sized paper with food items listed in Courier font.
And Therese would make a comment about how at least it isn’t Comic Sans, Dani thought with a grin. Therese was a graphic designer by trade and once a week penned a column on Dani’s blog about hellish clients and things about design that niggled her.
“The place probably isn’t as nice as you’re used to.”
She glanced up but he was still looking at his menu. “Well, the company is vastly better than I’m used to, and that’s what counts.”
He looked up from his menu to meet her gaze, a smile turning the corners of his lips—she longed to lean over and taste them but that might not be appropriate publicly, and he did, after all, have to live here.
“You think I’m some rich bitch who eats at fancy French restaurants? Please. I work part time at a coffee shop and my big choices for eating out are either the McDonalds on one side of the street or the Arby’s on the other.” She flipped over the menu—turned out to be the breakfast one, so she went back to the other side.
When the waitress returned, she ordered stir fry vegetables and a beer; Adam got the burger, fries, and a beer himself.
“Remember,” he said at last when their beers arrived. “I don’t know where you came from or what your life is like outside of the ranch. Just,” he gestured downward at her, “your designer shoes and propensity to cover your eyes when a horse is barreling toward you.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “One time. One time. Also, these?” She looked down and shifted her leg to the side, tipping her heel up. “Knock offs. Total knock offs. But great—I was sent them as a sample in the hopes I’d blog about them, and they actually turned out to be awesome.”
“You blog about shoes?”
Shit. She hadn’t really wanted him to know about all that stuff. It was better when he thought she was a normal person and not an online humor personality with stalkers and stuff. “Oh, you know, everyone does these days.”
He didn’t ask more and relief eventually settled through her shoulders. Though that might’ve been the beer.
“So if I had said no today, what exciting plans did you have? Was it looking broody and growly? I bet it was looking broody and growly.”
Adam chuckled and took a sip of his beer. “That and a cold shower.”
“Or a dip in the pool with, uh, friends?”
He eyed her over the rim of his beer. “You have something to say, come out and say it, princess.”
She flushed at this—she had been tactfully trying to bring it up but then tact was not her strong suit so she plowed straight ahead. “Do you have a thing going on with Carlee?”
Adam choked on his beer suddenly, catching the attention of the other patrons as they looked toward their table. He set the bottle down hard and cleared his throat, glancing back at her like she’d gone mad. “What the hell?”
“Um...” Dani glanced up to see the waitress staring at them after that disturbance so she flagged her down for another beer since hers was almost empty. “Just asking. She seems...friendly. A lot. And during midnight swims. I mean, someone told me. Not like I know.”
He grinned suddenly, waiting until the waitress left them with more drinks before he spoke. “You were spying on me?”
“Not at all.” She finished the first beer and grabbed the next. The room was feeling quite warm with his steady gaze on her and while the beer might not cool her off, it was worth a try. “Maybe my bedroom window happens to face the pool and maybe people swimming are loud.” A blush promptly flushed her cheeks.
Adam slung his arm over the back of the booth seat as he turned, facing her, studying her.
Dani pretended not to notice.
“You think I’m juggling you and Carlee?”
“Well, if you are, I’d say you’re doing a bad job of it.” She wrapped both her hands around her beer bottle as if it could cool her embarrassment.
“There’s nothing going on with Carlee.”
Dani chanced a glance at him. “Really? ’Cause I think she likes you.”
“She doesn’t—not like that.”
