by Jenn Roseton
Mitch opened a gate and they walked through a small paddock. He lent over the next locked gate and whistled. A black horse trotted into view, followed by a dappled gray.
“The rest are kind of shy.” He stroked the big black horse’s nose, murmuring softly to him.
Sophie watched his strong, tanned fingers on the horse’s velvety looking nose. What would they feel like stroking her hair? Telling herself not to think about it, she focused her attention on the large creature, noting its luxurious mane and tail.
“What’s his name? Or is she a girl?”
“Hero. And that’s Gracie.”
“Hello,” she said softly, willing the mare to come over to her. Gracie whickered and ambled over, shoving her head over the fence.
Mitch chuckled. “She wants you to pat her. Like this.” He slowly stroked his hand down the gray’s nose.
Sophie gingerly put out her hand. It has been so long since she’d petted a horse. “Hi, Gracie.” Softly tracing her fingers down the horse’s nose, she imitated Mitch’s movements. Gracie dipped her head, as if encouraging her to continue.
“She likes you.” He seemed to regard her thoughtfully for a moment, before returning his attention to Hero.
“Tell me about your horses,” she invited him, her attention divided between Gracie and the man standing next to her. Mitch seemed different around the horses. Caring, and lighter, somehow.
He shrugged. “I heard about a horse that was going to be shipped off to be slaughtered because nobody wanted him anymore. So I bought him off the owner. That was Hero.” He gave the horse an extra pat. Hero whickered in response. “After that, sometimes when I’m in Elk View, people tell me about another horse who needs help.”
Gracie gave a soft whinny.
He nodded at the gray horse. “She’s the latest. Her owner went to college and her parents decided to move into town. No one was interested in buying her, and the girl’s parents’ didn’t want to pay a boarding fee.”
“So you bought her,” Sophie murmured.
“Yeah.” He scowled. “A healthy horse shouldn’t end up in the slaughter yards because they’re unwanted. And even if they’re sick, with the right treatment they can get better and live a stress-free life here.”
She admired the passion in his voice, wondering if there was anything else he felt so strongly about. Maybe his writing. He hadn’t seemed very happy yesterday when she’d inadvertently interrupted him.
“So that’s why I need as much land as possible for them.” He turned to her, his brown eyes darkened in concern.
She nodded. “How much do you have?”
“Three hundred acres.” He gestured to the right of the horses. “Most of it’s over there. Not all of it can be used for horses, but I want to make sure I’ve got enough pasture for them, no matter how many I end up with.” When she didn’t say anything, he added reluctantly, “I bet I sound like a crazy horse man.”
“Not at all.” In fact, she admired what he was doing and wished she could do something similar. Three hundred acres was a huge amount of land - at least to her. But she lived in a tiny one bedroom apartment in San Diego where animals weren’t allowed. And between working full-time for Janet and studying at night school, she didn’t have much time left over for anything else.
After a couple more minutes of making a fuss of the two horses, Mitch straightened up.
“Guess I better get back to work.”
“Sure.” Sophie tried to concentrate on the matter of the garden. “But I have to ask you some questions about what you want. Then I’ll have a better idea of what kind of garden to design.”
“Okay.” He kept walking toward the house.
She hurried to catch up with him. “How much time do you want to spend on maintenance?”
“None.” When she didn’t reply, he stopped and looked at her. After a few seconds of studying the crestfallen expression on her face, he finally said with a note of resignation, “I guess I could spend one or two hours per week on it.”
She smiled up at him. “That would be great. I can come up with a minimal maintenance design that will still look good.”
“Don’t forget about the bees and butterflies. And birds.”
“I won’t,” she promised.
He began walking toward the house again, almost as if he were trying to get away from her. She pushed that disquieting thought to the back of her mind.
“Do you spend a lot of time in the garden?” she persisted.
“No.” At her frown, he elaborated, “When I’m outside I’m with the horses, or getting some herbs.”
Her expression brightened. “I saw your herb garden yesterday. I could develop it further, turn it into an Elizabethan knot garden, see which varieties of herbs grow best out here. And we could enlarge your vegetable garden and turn it into a real kitchen garden, like they used to have in Victorian times.”
“No, thanks.” He kept walking. “I like my set-up the way it is.”
“But …” her voice trailed off. She’d love to turn his herb garden into a real showpiece but she had to remember he was the client. And apparently he didn’t want any changes to his vegetable garden.
“Anything else?” he asked gruffly. They’d reached the house.
“Not for now.” She was suddenly conscious that although her body was fresh and clean from her morning shower, she was wearing yesterday’s clothes. “I’ll walk around, get a feel for the space, and come up with some ideas. I can come back tomorrow and we could discuss them.” Her heartbeat quickened as she waited for his answer.
“Yeah, okay.” His expression looked resigned, but she couldn’t help wondering if a tiny, tiny part of him might be looking forward to her coming back tomorrow. Instantly she told herself not to imagine things.
But she couldn’t stop a smile lighting up her face. “Great! I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“Yeah.” He hesitated, then walked inside the house.
Sophie wouldn’t let his abrupt departure faze her. She had a garden to design! Walking back toward the front lawn, she looked at it with an assessing eye. She could do so much with this space. Although she’d initially been disappointed with only having a small area to work with, when Mitch had so much land, she realized that the dimension of the front garden would be actually be a good size for her first job. Not too big and not too small.
She paced the length and width of the area, ideas whirling in her mind. Digging out her phone, she started recording her thoughts, then took a few photos, making sure she covered all angles.
This was going to be so much fun!
Awareness rushed through her as she thought of the client. Although Alex Trask paid for the firm’s services, Mitch was the actual client. Could he see her right now? Was he watching her through the window? Telling herself not to be fanciful, she resumed taking a couple more photos.
Mitch was unlike any man she’d ever met. Although she was only twenty-four, and had met guys at college, through working for Janet, and at night classes, she hadn’t had much experience actually dating them. She’d had a boyfriend for a short while in high school, and one in college. At one stage she’d thought her college boyfriend would be one of the most important relationships of her life, but it had fizzled out after a few months.
Since then, she’d been single. And while she’d love to meet the right guy, she couldn’t help wondering if her curves actually hindered her chances. There seemed to be a lot of guys out there who preferred skinny girls over full-figured ones. She tried not to sigh at the depressing thought.
Sophie tried to take note of the types of plants around her, but her thoughts drifted to Mitch instead. She’d never met anyone so intriguing before. Somehow he made her feel small and dainty, although she knew she wasn’t. What did he feel about her? Probably nothing, she told herself. He probably viewed her as a pesky annoyance, someone he had to endure for three weeks.
She just hoped he didn’t find out she wasn’t exactly qualified to
design his garden.
CHAPTER 3
Sophie savored the spicy sweetness of her gingerbread latte as she sat at a table in the café. It was definitely an improvement on the coal tar Mitch had served up this morning. When she’d returned to the inn at Elk View Corner, her stomach had grumbled, reminding her that although Mitch had given her a hearty breakfast, she’d missed out on lunch.
After recording her thoughts about the design for the garden and taking photos, she’d explored further on foot. She’d half-expected to hear Mitch shout out behind her and demand to know what she was doing, but there had been perfect silence, apart from the wind rustling in the treetops and the sound of her multi-sport shoes treading on the grass.
She’d only walked a little way, but she’d spied horses in the distance, as well as a mountain range and trees. Lots of pine trees.
She’d let the peace and quiet wrap themselves around her before heading back to her car. Mitch was so lucky to live here. Although she enjoyed living in San Diego, and visited the beach as often as she could, she’d always wished she could live in the country and have plenty of space around her. And if that space included being able to work on her own garden to her heart’s content, then that would be even better.
At least she could enjoy the next three weeks in rural Wyoming. As long as Mitch let her. And if she couldn’t design the garden of her dreams right now, she could at least give Mitch exactly what he wanted. She just had to figure out what that was.
Sophie blinked, realizing she’d spooned up the last bit of whipped cream from her drink. She’d love another, but she guessed that would be a little greedy. Besides, she had work to do. Once she got back to her room, she’d whip out her sketchbook and start coming up with designs for the garden. Once she had a design she was happy with, she’d transfer it over to the CAD program and show it to Mitch. She also had to research which plants would work best in this climate. And she’d have to ask Mitch if there were any particular shrubs or flowers he’d like included. She nibbled her bottom lip, realizing she’d forgotten to ask him that earlier.
Gathering up her purse, Sophie headed to her room, thinking up a mental to-do list as she walked, her fingers itching to start drawing.
***
Mitch stretched, leaning back in his chair. His writing had not gone well today. At all. And it was all her fault. Sophie. He’d been conscious of her presence all day, even when he’d left her in the garden to do whatever design mumbo jumbo she did while he got back to work. But he hadn’t been able to keep his mind on the scene he was writing until he’d heard her car start up and the rumble of the vehicle going back down the drive.
He’d been aware of her since he’d opened the door yesterday and couldn’t help wishing he hadn’t answered her knock. It was typical of his brothers to interfere with his life. When would they get the message that he liked his own company?
Yeah, he enjoyed seeing his brothers at times, but he also liked being on his own. As the baby of the family - he scowled at the thought - alone time was something he hadn’t indulged in as often as he wanted, growing up. There was always a brother around bugging him to go fishing, or horseback riding, or to play a prank on another brother. And while he’d enjoyed the rough and tumble with his siblings, he also wanted time on his own to read and not be constantly reminded that he was the youngest.
It was through his voracious appetite for reading that he’d decided to become a writer. To entertain people, to share the stories he had in his head. Although he’d divulged plenty of confidences with his brothers growing up, this was one he hadn’t revealed. And when they’d found out he was majoring in creative writing in college, they’d ribbed him good-naturedly. But it had gotten old. Fast.
He knew it was just their way of showing that they cared, but he didn’t tease them about their choices. Okay, maybe Alex, but that was because he was a freakin’ billionaire and could come off as a little arrogant at times. But he’d never said a word when Garrett bought the cattle ranch, Cole quit the police force to become a private investigator, or when Logan retired as a SEAL and bought a run down ranch.
Thanks to Grandpa Abel’s will, none of them had to work for a living, but somehow they all did. He knew he was lucky that his share of his grandfather’s inheritance paid for college, but he never wanted the terms of the will to dictate his life choices. Like staying single if he wanted to keep receiving his generous monthly allowance. Not that he had any intention of being anything but single.
Maybe it was a pride thing, but he wanted to make a living with his writing. So what if some months were leaner than others, and he had to shop more carefully at the supermarket? He was doing what he wanted, on his own terms, and his interfering brothers weren’t going to stop him.
The only purchase he’d made with his grandfather’s money besides college was this ranch and the horses. He wasn’t going to let a horse go to the slaughter yard because he was too stiff-necked to use his inheritance for good.
Besides, he’d taken Alex’s advice a few years ago and invested wisely in the stock market. The money he used to rescue horses now was the profit he’d used from his brother’s tips, not from his monthly inheritance. That money he gave away to charity as fast as it came into his bank account.
Yeah, brothers could come in handy - sometimes.
But why did that make it okay for them to butt their noses into his life? Whenever they felt like it?
He gritted his teeth. As well as being annoyed with his brothers’ interference, he also had to deal with her. Sophie. Her cute, girl next-door face, her large green eyes, and her ash-blonde hair tied up in a ponytail. Not that he’d been paying attention.
His groin tightened as he thought of her figure. She was short, and he’d have to bend down to kiss her - where the hell had that thought come from? He groaned. He was seriously losing it. But who could blame him? Her figure was incredibly curvy, with everything in proportion. Delicious proportion.
She probably beat men off with a stick. He glowered at the thought.
Sophie was temptation wrapped up in curves and goodness. And he liked the way his life was just fine. Women only complicated matters. And broke your heart.
***
Sophie picked up a salad sandwich and a juice from the deli in Elk View Corner, then started up her rental car. Luckily, she’d brought a couple of her favorite chocolate bars with her from San Diego, one of them nestled inside her purse. Since Mitch was running low on groceries, she’d brought her own lunch. Although this design job was a little unusual, when she accompanied her boss, Janet, on jobs, they didn’t expect for the client to provide lunch or snacks for them, so why should she expect Mitch to?
She’d stayed up late last night, drawing sketch after sketch, until she’d decided she was happy with all of them, especially the second design. And if he didn’t like that one, she had four others to show him. Surely he’d like one of them?
Sophie yawned, her jaw widening. Perhaps she’d stayed up a little too late? She’d just wanted her design to be perfect for Mitch.
Slowing the car when she spied the gate to Mitch’s ranch, she turned into the drive, anticipation tightening her stomach muscles. Would he like her sketch? Would he even let her inside the house?
She parked the car and tried to stride confidently to the front door. This time, she carried her laptop as well as her purse. Her sketches were tucked inside her laptop bag. She pushed down her apprehension as she knocked on the door.
A couple of minutes later, she was about to knock again when the door opened. Mitch stood there, imposing, and just plain big, wearing faded jeans and a red-checked long-sleeved shirt.
His eyes flickered over her and she willed herself not to flush under his scrutiny. Was he looking at her navy pants or her cream blouse? Did he think she was dressed unsuitably? Or did he think her curves would get in the way of her doing a good job? Or … maybe he could just sense her inexperience, now matter how self-assured she tried to appear?
&
nbsp; Why did he have to affect her in a way that no other man had done? Last night at the inn, her pulse had actually fluttered when she’d thought about him. She was glad she hadn’t dreamed of him doing something delicious to her, like taking her in his strong arms and kissing her senseless. Because if she had, she was sure it would be written all over her face.
“You better come in,” he finally said, leading the way down the dark hall.
Sophie shut the door behind her, barely able to make out the shape of his butt in the gloom. Pay attention! she scolded herself, don’t think about how good he looks in his worn jeans.
He gestured to a kitchen chair when they reached the sunlight strewn kitchen.
“Coffee?”
“No thanks.” She shook her head, the taste of his sludgy coffee still lingering in her mouth when she thought about it.
He shrugged, and sat opposite her. “So?”
She placed the laptop bag on the table, hoping he wouldn’t notice her fingers trembling. “I made some sketches last night. This is one I think you might like.” She handed him her favorite, the second design, noticing his hand was nowhere near hers on the piece of white paper.
He studied it, frowning. After a minute, he raised his head. “Got any more?”
“You don’t like it?” She couldn’t help disappointment color her voice. She’d worked hard on that sketch, darn it. In fact, she thought it was the best she’d ever done. And he didn’t like it? Reminding herself that he was the client, even if he wasn’t the one actually paying the bill, she dug out the remaining sketches and handed them to him.
Sophie tried not to fidget as she watched him inspect each one. Finally, he shook his head.
“I don’t like any of them.”
She stared at him, crestfallen.
“Sorry.” He looked discomfited.
“But … why?” She hoped her voice sounded professional, and not a wail. Maybe she couldn’t do this job. Maybe she was out of her depth. But his brother had insisted she be the one to come out here and design the garden, not Janet, her boss, with years and years of experience.
