Summer Nights

by Susan Mallery

  Shane pulled off his hat, set it on the roof of her car, then rubbed his face with his hands. “I need a drink.”

  “It’s only three in the afternoon.”

  “It’s been a hell of a day.”

  He moved closer and put his hands on her shoulders, then turned her so that she could see each of the corrals.

  “Those are my horses,” he said.

  “I know that.”

  “What is it you think I do?”

  She didn’t understand the question. “Horse stuff,” she said, stating the obvious. “You, um, raise horses and train them. And people. You’re building a ranch where I guess you’ll have more horses. Oh!” She turned to smile at him. “You have pregnant mares, so you breed horses, too.”

  “Two drinks,” he muttered and released her shoulders.

  She wanted to protest. The feel of his hands on her body was nice. Better than nice. His grip was warm, his fingers strong. He was a patient man and wasn’t that the best quality in a potential lover?

  “I started out in the rodeo. I took off when I was eighteen and got work where I could. Learned as I went. I did okay but I figured out early I would never be a champion. So I turned my attention to the horses. It turns out I have a knack for breeding. Thoroughbreds.”

  She blinked at him.

  “Horses that race. You know, like the Kentucky Derby.”

  She looked back at the horses grazing. At their powerful chests and long legs. “Racehorses?” She swallowed. “Aren’t they expensive?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ve had horses in these races?”

  “Came in second at the Belmont Stakes.”

  Another race she’d heard of.

  She was starting to see that Shane wasn’t exactly who and what she’d thought. She’d assumed he was a regular kind of guy who worked with horses. A man who kept a few around for, um, for… Well, she wasn’t sure why people kept horses exactly. Charlie liked to ride Mason, but the world of racing and breeding was different.

  Her gaze shifted to Khatar. “He’s different from the others.”

  “Arabian.”

  She thought back to the conversations they’d had and her stomach lurched. “He was expensive?”

  “Depends on your definition. He wasn’t seven figures.”

  Seven? As in a million dollars?

  “Well, sure. Why would you pay that much?” Her voice was faint. “But close, right?” Not that she wanted to know.

  “Pretty damned close.”

  She was going to faint. Right there on the ground, she would collapse and possibly hit her head and then have to live with the resulting amnesia. The good news was she might then be able to forget this conversation.

  “That’s why you had me riding Mason,” she said. “Because he’s a regular horse and I couldn’t hurt him.”

  “You can’t hurt one of the other horses, either. It’s that they’re not riding stock. Certainly not for a beginner or a bunch of kids.” He raised his hands, then let them drop to his side. “I’m not being a jerk about the kids, Annabelle. The truth is I don’t have anything for them to ride.”

  “I see that now. I’ll explain to the mothers. There has to be someone else nearby with appropriate horses. Because the girls were very excited by the opportunity. Maybe I could rent a horse for them or something.”

  He groaned. “Is that in your budget?”

  “No. I work at a library. But I could figure something out.”

  “The walls are closing in,” Shane muttered. “Have you talked to my mother about this?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Do me a favor. Don’t. Tell you what. I’ll get some pleasure horses out here. Rent them for the summer or something.”

  “You don’t have to. It’s not your responsibility.”

  “You’re right about that, but currently, it’s my problem. If I don’t rent them and my mother finds out, she’ll buy some. Probably old horses. And I’ll have to take care of them. This will be easier. I’ll offer a few lessons and we’ll take it from there.”

  While she appreciated the gesture, she still felt guilty and a little foolish. How could she have missed the truth about Shane?

  Before she could figure out what to say, Khatar came strolling around the barn. She laughed as he headed directly toward her.

  Shane turned. “What the hell? How did he get out?”

  She reached for the horse as he approached and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Hey, big guy. How are you? Who’s a handsome horse? Did you know you’re expensive? You need to take care of yourself.”

  “He’s insured,” Shane said drily.

  She leaned into the horse because it was easier than looking at Shane. “I can still help with your house. If you want me to. You know, to make up for all of this.”

  She expected him to say no, but he surprised her by agreeing.

  “We never did decide on the kitchen,” he said. “Maybe we can do that in the next day or so. Jocelyn is on me about wanting to pour the foundation.”

  “We can do it after our lesson, if you’d like.”

  “Sure. You have time?”

  When it came to him, she was starting to think she had all the time in the world. She liked that even when he’d been annoyed, Shane’s anger had been low-key. He’d never once yelled and he didn’t say anything disparaging. Lewis, her ex, would have said she was stupid, would have gone on and on, blaming her. He would have done his best to make her feel small.

  “I can stay,” she told him.

  Their gazes locked. She was aware of something hot pulsing between them. Something that would be very, very messy. Maybe he would want to…

  A flicker of movement caught her attention. She saw one of the mares in the corral next to Priscilla’s enclosure.

  “Are you trying to see if Priscilla wants to be friends with one of the horses?”

  Shane turned and nodded. “I found a cat with Priscilla yesterday. A mother cat with kittens. I went online and read about Asian elephants. The females need a group to belong to. I don’t think a cat is going to be enough, so I’m trying the mares, one at a time, until we get a match.”

  “That’s very sweet.”

  “Priscilla belongs to my mother. However, she has left the care of her menagerie to me, so I’ll do what I can.”

  “Maybe she’ll fall in love. Or at least start dating.”

  Shane swung his attention back to her. “Speaking of dating,” he began.

  Her heart fluttered. Was he going to ask her out? Did he feel the chemistry between them? Was he thinking that they should at least take their attraction for a test drive?

  “I had an interesting talk with Charlie yesterday,” he told her.

  She winced. “Oh.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Oh? That’s it?”

  “She needs to start seeing someone. I won’t go into why, but she has to get back on the horse, so to speak, and you’re a horse guy so I thought… But then you said you weren’t interested and it probably wouldn’t work.” No way she was going to bring up their kiss. Even if she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

  “Anyway, that’s what happened. You didn’t hurt her feelings, did you?”

  “Charlie firmly put me in my place. You would be proud.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “Anyone else you want to set me up with?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Other groups that will be showing up unannounced?”

  “I can’t think of any.”

  “Good. Ready for our lesson?”

  She nodded. “Am I riding Khatar?”

  Shane shook his head. “It’s what you both want. Who am I to stand in the way?”

  “But he’s so expensive. I don’t want to hurt him.”

  Shane sighed. “You won’t.”

  Khatar stood next to her, his neck over her shoulder, his cheek against hers. “I’ll be very careful.”

  “I’m sure you will.”
<
br />   Shane started toward the barn. She followed, Khatar trailing after her.

  “You think I’m a pain in the butt, don’t you?” she asked.

  He turned. “I know you’re not trying to be.”

  “I’m not. Usually I’m not the least bit difficult.”

  “Why don’t I believe that?”

  Before she could come up with a response, he stepped toward her and grabbed her upper arms. He pressed his mouth against hers in one hard, hot kiss that seared her down to her toes. Before she could reach for him or even kiss him back, he released her.

  “Khatar’s never had on a Western saddle. You’ll have to ride English.”

  Pleasure and need charged through her in time with her heartbeat. She drew in a shaky breath.

  “Whatever you say, Shane.”

  He grunted. “If only that were true.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  “RAFE AND I HAVE DECIDED we’ll hold the wedding here,” Heidi said as she poured glasses of iced tea in the ranch’s dining room. “It’s more economical and we can have more people.”

  Charlie took the offered glass and raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? Rafe’s worried about what it’s going to cost?”

  Heidi laughed. “No, but I’ve spent my life being frugal. That’s not going to change anytime soon.”

  Annabelle figured her friend was in for a financial adjustment. Heidi and her grandfather had never had an excess of funds. Now Heidi was marrying a very successful businessman with millions to his name. She would bet that Rafe would pay for any kind of wedding Heidi wanted. But she also knew Heidi wouldn’t see it that way.

  “Besides,” Heidi continued, “this is more about the room than the costs. I’ve made so many friends here in town. I want everyone to come and have a great time.”

  “More party than reception?” Charlie asked.

  “That sounds perfect.”

  “I agree,” Annabelle told her. “The weather will be warm but not hot and people will enjoy the more relaxed venue. You were leaning toward a less formal ceremony anyway.”

  May, Rafe and Shane’s mother, walked into the dining room, several pads of paper tucked under one arm and a fistful of pens in her free hand.

  “Am I late? Did you start without me?”

  “You’re right on time,” Heidi assured her future mother-in-law.

  “I saw you and Glen pulling into town about three this morning,” Charlie told her.

  “Our flight landed in San Francisco at midnight,” May said, taking a seat at the table and passing out the pads of paper and pens. “We talked about grabbing a room by the airport but decided we would rather be home.”

  “How was Australia?” Annabelle asked.

  “Wonderful. We’re going back. The flight is long, but worth it. Do you know it’s their winter now? We loved that. And the toilets really do flush the other way.”

  “As long as you spent your time on the important things,” Charlie teased.

  May laughed. “We saw the sights. I’ll bore everyone with pictures later. But first we have a wedding to plan and I need to be caught up with everything that happened while we were gone.”

  “Just the usual,” Heidi said. “There hasn’t been any hot gossip.”

  May smiled, her dark eyes similar to her sons’. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

  Heidi touched her hand. “I promise I’m not.”

  Theirs was not a traditional household, Annabelle thought, watching the exchange. Most brides-to-be didn’t live with future mothers-in-law. But last spring May and Rafe had moved in with Heidi and her grandfather. First Glen and May had fallen in love, then Rafe and Heidi. The older couple were having a small house built at the edge of the property and would be moving out as soon as it was finished.

  Now Shane was living in the house, which made for crowded conditions. But Heidi seemed to be thriving with her new family. In truth, Annabelle felt a bit of envy. Her parents had split up when she’d been very young and they’d both made it clear neither of them wanted to be “stuck” with her. She’d been an only child and the house had been lonely. Having a lot of caring people around seemed pretty perfect to her. The sense of community that existed in Fool’s Gold had been the main selling point for her.

  “I hear Shane is teaching you to ride,” May said.

  Annabelle nodded. “It’s going well.”

  “On Khatar?”

  “He likes me.”

  “It’s more than like,” Charlie said with a grin. “She’s his one true love. Shane can’t figure out how to keep him contained when she’s around.”

  May frowned. “He’s a dangerous horse. Be careful.”

  “I will, but actually he’s very sweet. So affectionate.”

  “It’s true,” Heidi told May. “You’re going to have to trust us on that. Khatar wants to cuddle when he’s around Annabelle.”

  “If you say so.” May looked doubtful.

  “There’s more,” Heidi said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Little girls have been showing up to learn how to ride. They want Shane to teach them because he’s a real cowboy.”

  Annabelle sighed. “That’s my fault. I didn’t realize all his horses were so valuable. I mentioned the lessons to a few of the girls who come to the library and it quickly got out of hand. Shane’s being great about it,” she added quickly. “He’s talking about renting some horses.”

  “Renting? There’s no need for that.” May rose. “You girls go on with your planning. I’ll be right back.”

  Heidi watched her go. “Uh-oh. I have a feeling a few more old animals are going to be showing up in the next day or so. Poor Shane. He’s being thrown in the deep end of the ocean for sure. Talk about getting involved.”

  Annabelle winced, realizing that Shane’s worry about his mother hadn’t been in vain. Not that she was going to be the one to tell him. She reached for her iced tea and was about to take a sip when she realized Charlie was staring at her. “What?”

  “Speaking of involvement,” her friend said slowly. “Were you trying to set me up with Shane?”

  Annabelle shrank back. “No. Yes. Maybe. I’m sorry.”

  “What did I miss?” Heidi asked. “Something fun?”

  “Annabelle thinks I need to get out more,” Charlie said, never taking her gaze from Annabelle. “Start dating.”

  “Does she…” Heidi pressed her lips together.

  Charlie finally looked away. “Yes, I told her about my past.”

  “I thought it would be a good idea to start with someone nice,” Annabelle said weakly. “Shane’s nice.”

  “Not my type and way too into you.”

  She sat up a little straighter. “Really? You think he likes me?”

  Heidi looked at Charlie. “Looks like Khatar isn’t the only one with a crush.”

  “I don’t have a crush on Shane,” Annabelle protested. “I said he was nice. There’s a difference.”

  “Not when you’re blushing,” Heidi teased.

  “You offered me to a guy you’re interested in?” Charlie asked, sounding outraged.

  Annabelle pressed her lips together. “I wasn’t sure and you said you wanted to be fixed.”

  “Now you’re making me sound like a stray dog. Look, I appreciate the effort, but I can handle this myself. I’ll figure out a way to get over my mistrust of men or not. I don’t need a man to have a family, right?”

  “Well, you kind of do,” Annabelle said gently.

  “She’s right.” Heidi nodded her head as she spoke. “But this is all good. You’re facing the problem. I’m glad. I’m also a little surprised. I didn’t think you liked kids.”

  “I grumble about them, but I like them okay. I always thought one day…” She shrugged. “Who am I kidding?”

  “Don’t,” Annabelle told her. “You can’t give up before you even start.”

  “I know. It’s just you’re both so normal and I have this horrible mother.”

  Annabe
lle knew her parents hadn’t exactly been what anyone could call loving, but that wasn’t the point. “She’s still alive?”

  “Last time I checked. She’s famous. Or she used to be.” She seemed to brace herself. “My mother was a ballet dancer. World-renowned. Dominique Guérin.”

  Annabelle frowned. “I think I’ve heard that name. Maybe seen a few of her DVDs. She’s beautiful and very talented.”

  Charlie grunted. “She would be devastated to know your life doesn’t revolve around her greatness. And I’m not saying that to be funny.”

  “Not the type to bake cookies?” Heidi asked.

  “She has the maternal instincts of a rock.”

  Annabelle thought about the petite graceful dancer she’d watched as a kid and compared that image to the woman sitting in front of her. Charlie was tall—maybe five-nine or -ten, with broad shoulders and lots of muscle. She drove an engine for the Fool’s Gold fire department, handled training of the volunteer force. She was competent, smart, loyal and a great friend. But she couldn’t imagine a woman like Dominique having a daughter like Charlie. And based on the little Charlie had said, theirs hadn’t been a loving relationship.

  “Because of her, I never thought I should have kids,” Charlie admitted. “I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to do.”

  “Is that changing?” Annabelle asked.

  “Sort of. Maybe. I don’t know. Let’s not talk about me anymore.”

  Heidi leaned toward her. “I was scared of love, too,” Heidi said. “Of losing control, of being hurt. I wasn’t even sure love was real. But now, with Rafe, I know it’s worth it. What we have is so much stronger than the fear. I can give my heart and trust him completely. I never thought I would be able to say that about anyone.”

  Annabelle ignored the twinge of jealousy. Although she’d been married, she’d never experienced what Heidi described. With Lewis, she’d been flattered and grateful he’d even noticed her. Later, when he’d suggested they get married, she told herself what she felt was love, but she knew now her feelings had been nothing more than a desperate attempt to prove that someone, somewhere could love her. Only she’d been wrong. Lewis had only cared about himself.