by Em Petrova
Ford picked up his. The aroma of fried chicken hit, and his stomach groaned in demand. But before he tucked into his food, he wanted to chat up the hostess. Susannah was as pretty as a picture today, wearing a flowing top and skirt that screamed country girl.
His libido was saying oh hell yeah right back.
“How are the horses?” he asked, bringing the slider to his lips.
Susannah took out a bag of chips and popped one into her mouth. “Doin’ fine,” she drawled around the bite. “The one you call Stomp was in form when I went to give her feeds.”
“Don’t worry about her. She’s as tame as they come. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought her for the kids.”
“I know. I’ve handled more ornery horses.” She rubbed a forefinger down the bite mark on her thumb. His gaze was drawn to those hands, recalling so well how they felt running over his shoulders as she drew him down on top of her.
Mrs. Ryan’s voice shook him from his memory. “Ford, you’re new to Paradise Valley. Are you only here to help the Daltons rebuild?”
His stomach hollowed at the thought of going back to his dull, lonely life. “I’ve grown up visiting Paradise Valley, ma’am. But yes, I’m here to give them a hand. This weekend my brothers are coming up to help us raise that new barn.” He bit into the slider at last, and in three bites devoured it.
“Oh, the new barn? We’ll send along the boys to help you.” She looked at Ryan, and he gave a nod.
When Ford glanced back at Susannah, she looked a little distracted, her chips forgotten, picking at a thread on her skirt.
He caught her eye as he dug into his second slider. He didn’t know how she was feeling about him right now. He’d denied her back in the bed of his truck, and nobody felt warm and fuzzy after rejection. Besides, she believed he was insulting her by saying she needed a hand with her program.
Though, she had brought him coffee. And lunch, but it was for all of them.
The guys pulled him into conversation about the upcoming rodeo, and Ryan asked if Ford would come along and root for him. He shot a glance Susannah’s way and found her looking at him expectantly.
“If I can get away, I’ll come,” he said.
She reached into the basket and handed him a turnover wrapped in a napkin, offering him a smile to go with it that made him forget he needed food for energy. Right now, he was pretty damn sure he could live off her kisses.
Maybe he needed to follow Susannah’s lead and lighten up a little.
After he’d polished off the sweet cherries and flaky, sugary crust, he caught her gaze and dropped her a wink. “A beautiful woman who can bake is a rare thing. Thank you, Susannah.”
The prettiest blush rose on her high cheekbones, and Ford found a new rush of energy to finish haying. He was also starting to remember how it felt to live again.
* * * * *
For days, Susannah had been thinking about what Ford had said about giving her a hand with the horses while she worked with the kids. Okay, he hadn’t said it like that—he’d inferred that she wasn’t able to deal with it all and had gotten damn high-handed while he was at it.
But she’d gone over it in her mind a thousand times, and she knew she was right. Since her first client was slated to meet the horse, maybe learn about the animal’s behavior and get used to its movements, noises and even smells, Susannah was certain she could handle it without his assistance.
At least she’d gone to bed feeling that way.
Didn’t it just figure she’d wake up late on the first morning of her program? She leaped out of bed and scrambled for her clothes.
Shaking inside with excitement, she hurried through her routine—brushing her teeth and tying her hair back into a ponytail before placing her cowgirl hat over it.
The day was everything she could ask for with brilliant sun and a light breeze to keep the Texas heat at bay. She took a moment to look heavenward in thanks. For weeks, she’d been certain all the bad luck would rain down on her today, literally, and she’d have to cancel her first client.
When she got to the barn, she drew up short.
“Ford.” Her voice was throaty, but maybe it was from sleep. Yeah, it must be.
“Your brother let me in.”
“Oh.” She looked at him, aware of being alone and standing only a few feet away from a man who looked like sin poured into faded denim.
His gaze traveled over her, and ever since their night under the stars, she’d wondered why a man who looked at her like she was his favorite dessert would hold back.
It was clear Ford Dalton had some hang-ups. Whether dealing with a bad breakup or just an awkward tendency around ladies, she didn’t know. Whatever was reining him in had nothing to do with her.
“I told you I don’t need you to be here for the clients.” Her words sounded harsh even to her own ears, and she felt a pang when he winced.
Then tires crunched on gravel, and she spun to the barn door. Then back to Ford. “They’re here!”
His expression grew more intense, and he strode forward to grasp her hands. Looking into her eyes, he said, “You’re gonna shine, Susannah. This is your moment.”
Her throat closed off with emotion, and she squeezed his rough fingers, feeling so grateful for his support and words.
He hung back while she greeted the client. The young boy was eager to get started and asked her twice about the horse he was going to ride before they even made it to the barn.
Laughing, she led the way. “Andrew, this is our barn and this man’s name is Ford. He’s going to help us today.” She gave him a cool glance.
Andrew was shy as she’d guessed he would be. But he nodded as Ford took hold of the lead rope and drew a sweet-tempered mare from her stall. The horse flicked her tail in greeting, and Susannah’s heart gave a happy thump. What had Ford said? This was her moment. Her time to unite a child with the horse that could have so much impact on his life.
“Andrew, would you like to meet America?” She reached out to stroke the horse’s side.
Andrew’s eyes lit. “America is a great name!”
“It sure is. And she’s a really sweet mare. Do you know why she’s a mare?”
He shook his head.
“Because she’s a girl,” she leaned in to whisper.
He laughed, and from then on, the ice was broken. During the next half hour, Andrew got more and more comfortable in his surroundings and with America. Finally, he inched close enough to pet the horse. From the corner of her eye, Susannah saw how Ford positioned himself to intervene if the mare got spooked, getting Andrew out of the way before he was injured and putting himself in that path.
Maybe he’d been right all along about her needing his help.
Her heart welled with affection for her cowboy.
Wait, my cowboy?
When had she begun to think of him that way?
“What is that horse’s name?” Andrew pointed to another stall.
Ford glanced at Susannah before answering. “That there’s Thistle. Would you like to meet her too?”
Andrew nodded, his eagerness infectious. Before long, he’d met each and every horse in the barn and his session had come to an end.
“Maybe next time you can choose one of the horses you’d like to get to know and you can learn how we brush them to keep their coats healthy.” Susannah felt as if she was beaming from the inside out.
When she walked Andrew and his mother to their car and saw them off, Ford put the horses to pasture. She turned to see him standing at the fence, his broad shoulders calling to her. She twitched her fingers into fists as she walked over.
“That was really somethin’,” he said before she could speak. He looked away from the horses and into her eyes, piercing her body with an electric current.
She forgot what he was talking about and only felt the same need from their night under the stars rising up like a wave. Warmth spread over her body as she stood under his gaze.
“You made that boy very
happy, Susannah.”
She nodded, her heart skipping a beat when he drawled her name. She was more than smitten with Ford, and judging from the gleam in his eyes, he returned the feeling. So how did she bridge that gap?
She folded her arms on the top rail of the fence and watched the horses. “Do you think there was anything I needed to do differently with Andrew?”
He leaned against the fence beside her, more at ease when the pressure of what was between them was off and they were talking about other things. “Not that I can see, but I’m not trained for this type of work. I’d say the boy was pleased and his mother as well. He’ll be back for sure—you hooked him.”
She bounced a little with excitement. “I can’t wait for my four o’clock client. Are you heading out with my brothers to finish the haying or back to Paradise Valley?”
He gave her a serious look. “If you’ve got a client, I’ll be here.”
Her feathers ruffled. “Ford—”
“I’m serious, Susannah. You need someone here. I’ll run back to the ranch to see if they need anything and then I’ll be back by four.”
Without another word, he walked away, leaving her wanting to scream, stomp or hurl something at his strong, sexy back. She couldn’t figure out Ford Dalton. Was he a nice guy who was only a bit awkward around women, or was he a commanding jerk? So far she’d witnessed both sides of the man, and the traits were as opposite as his smile and his stern expressions.
* * * * *
Susannah took a bit of time to speak with her momma about what had gone on with her very first client, leaving out all information about Ford’s role in the day. She’d noticed how her mother talked to Ford out in the field and had shot glances between her and Ford during the picnic. The last thing she needed was more confusion where that man was concerned.
Finally, Susannah agreed to make a trip to town for her mother. She could use some time away from the ranch to get her head on straight about Ford.
He was driving her crazy, that much was certain. She didn’t know if she wanted to punch him or kiss him. A little of both, she guessed, and that only perplexed her more.
In town, she ran her mother’s errands and then headed to the feed store. Which led her to the tack shop and a half hour wasted browsing the leather tool-work of a new local artist. Trouble was, she’d just gotten a new bridle for her birthday and she hadn’t even used it yet. Maybe once she started really making money at her business, she could afford to be frivolous, but not today.
She left the shop. Across the street sat the chocolate shoppe owned by Shelby Dalton, nestled between buildings with a pretty awning over the front door. Now Susannah could afford a chocolate milkshake.
She looked both ways before crossing, though the traffic in town was always light and she wasn’t in danger of being plowed over by anything more than a rambunctious child running toward the place to get sweets.
When she opened the door and the little bell tinkled, she was charmed as always. The old-fashioned interior always gave her a smile.
From behind the long glass counter stuffed with beautiful chocolates, Shelby smiled at her. “Hi, Susannah! Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’m trying to stay away from town because you always lure me in for a milkshake. My hips don’t need the calories.” She patted one curved hip as she leaned on the counter.
Shelby was always so open and gave away genuine smiles with a side of chocolate, but today the woman looked a little strained with a crease between her eyes.
Susannah searched her face. “Everything okay?”
“Oh yes. And you’re as beautiful as ever. If anything, you could use more milkshakes. Chocolate?”
“Yes, please.” She pulled out some cash and had it ready for Shelby when she placed the chocolate confection on the countertop. It had a bright pink straw sticking from the thick depths and was topped with whipped cream, a cherry and chocolate shavings.
Susannah’s mouth watered. “Oh my God. This looks amazing.” She took the cup and drew the straw to her lips. The first sip hit her tongue like a fireworks display on the Fourth of July. She closed her eyes and when she opened them, Shelby was smiling at her, though there was still a tense look around her eyes.
Susannah lowered the cup. “Everything okay with you?” she asked a second time.
Shelby pushed out a sigh. The two weren’t exactly close, but Susannah liked to think that if the woman needed to talk it out, she’d find a kindred spirit in her.
“There’s a lot going on with the ranch lately, and Witt and I haven’t exactly had a lot of time together.”
She pursed her lips. “Did you have an argument?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s just that he’s driven to get Hank’s house finished. Our piece of the land is the only one untouched by the fire, and I think he feels guilty in some way, like he has to make up for it. So he’s putting in so many hours on the ranch and then spending evenings up at Hank’s installing insulation and running electric. The kids and I haven’t seen him before ten o’clock any night this week, and then he just walks in and falls into bed.”
Susannah reached out and touched Shelby’s arm. “I’m sorry to hear that. I have to admit, I feel bad too, because I’ve been monopolizing Ford’s time at my place. Earlier in the week, he helped my brothers put up hay and now he’s got it in his stubborn head that I need help with my horse therapy program.”
Shelby patted her hand. “Help how?”
“He’s gotten pretty high-handed, telling me I need the help and he refuses to take no for an answer. For what I’m doing with the program, I have it all figured out, and he’s really pissing me off, to be completely honest.” She took a sip of her milkshake and then drew out the straw to swirl it through the whipped cream on top.
“Hmm. That doesn’t sound like Ford.” The crease between Shelby’s brows had returned. “I don’t know much about your program, but my guess is he’s trying to keep everybody safe, including the horses.”
Freezing in place, Susannah said, “Do you think this could be an aftereffect of what happened to him in the rodeo?” Oh God, why hadn’t she thought of that?
Shelby nodded. “There’s a good chance. He isn’t being controlling, Susannah. I think Ford wants to see everyone safe. If you’re distracted with a child and a horse makes a move…”
Susannah stood there for a second, processing what she’d said. Then she smacked the heel of her hand off her forehead. “I don’t know why I didn’t see that. I just thought he was… Well, after…” Heat climbed her cheeks, and she knew with her pale coloring, she was lit up like a torch.
Shelby leaned across the counter on both elbows. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Did something happen between you and Ford?”
“Not exactly.” She took too many sucks of her icy milkshake and gave herself brain freeze. Between the sudden, stunning headache and her blush, she felt like she was going to pass out. She rubbed at her forehead and prayed for the redness in her cheeks to fade.
Looking like she wasn’t in any hurry to move away from the topic, Shelby just smiled. “A blush like that makes me believe not exactly means there’s something more.”
She flashed a look at her friend. “He kissed me in the barn.”
“Oh!”
“And the bed of his truck.”
“Ohhh.” Shelby waggled her brows.
“I’m going to die of mortification. I don’t know why I’m telling you this except you’ve made me think about Ford a little more than I should now.”
“If he kissed you twice, my bet is he’s thinking about you a little more than he should too.” She reached into her chocolate case and came out with a small packet. “These are good for love.”
Susannah laughed. “Are you a witch now, handing out love potions?”
“No, but the chili pepper in the chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Give Ford one of those and see what happens.”
“I couldn’t do that.” She pushed the packet back across t
he counter.
“But you do like him. I can see that for myself.”
Susannah felt limp, wrung out from the highs and lows, the hot and cold of the past few minutes. “I do, but I can’t figure him out at all. He’s so… serious.”
“Stoic almost, I know. We’ve all talked about how much he’s changed since Gabby.”
Heart tripping, Susannah stared at Shelby. “Who’s Gabby?”
“They were engaged but after his back injury, she broke it off. I guess that whole thick and thin, through sickness and health thing showed her true colors. She wasn’t willing to stick it out with a man who might not walk again.”
Susannah felt sick inside at what Ford must have gone through—and rage at the woman who’d been so shallow. She could never do such a thing, and this Gabby woman clearly did not deserve a good man like Ford.
Shelby was staring at her. “It looks like I might have cleared some things up for you. Am I right?” She cocked her head.
Susannah nodded. “It would explain his reason for keeping his distance. If he’s been burnt once…”
Nodding, Shelby pushed the packet of chocolates toward her again. “Trust me on this one. No Dalton can resist chocolate. Or a beautiful woman.”
She moaned. “Oh God, now you’ve made me blush again. I don’t know if I’ll be coming into your shop anymore, Shelby. And maybe you should take some of those chocolates home to your own man.” Susannah pressed the cool milkshake cup to her hot cheeks.
The woman tossed back her head and laughed, so carefree. Susannah hoped she’d helped Shelby talk through her worries as well. Feeling lighter herself, Susannah finished her shake while they discussed her first client. Then she said her farewells and headed home again, thoughts of Ford thick in her mind and the chocolate packet bouncing on the passenger seat.
Chapter Seven
As Ford drove up the lane to the Ryans’, he wondered for the tenth time if he should just go back home and hope to hell nothing happened to Susannah or one of her clients that would cause him guilt later on.
She’d made it clear she didn’t want his assistance, that he was intruding on her business, and the last thing he wanted to do was take away something she’d worked so hard for.
