That’s why I didn’t even want to shake his hand. I knew then, one touch, and I would start to forget every reason I’m here.
I squeeze my eyes shut, inhaling slow, willing the memory away. The shower got rid of the horse drool, but not the heat that man left behind.
I open my eyes and exhale sharply.
Focus on why you’re here, Roxanne. He’s the ranch owner. You’re going to have to interact with him if you want to get through this.
Glancing at the clothing I brought from New York, I know I have nothing truly appropriate for this environment, but I settle on pressed navy pants and a white mock neck long-sleeve top. This time, some flats in case we have to walk around after dinner.
When I join everyone back at the grand fireplace in the lobby, I smile. Allie and Leo really prepared for this trip and wore appropriate clothing for dinner. They’re both relaxing on a leather sofa sipping glasses of wine and laughing like they have already fallen in love with this place.
Topper and Rusty have also joined them. Rusty is sitting in a wool-covered chair decorated with a colorful Southwest motif. Topper sits next to Allie and Leo on the sofa, and they’re carrying on as if they’re old friends. Everyone shifts their attention to me when I enter the room. I don’t even know who’s asking what as they all inquire about how I’m doing.
I smile and put my hand up. “I’m fine, really.”
“Really sorry about that, ma’am,” Topper says. “Can I get you something while we wait for dinner?”
“I would love a glass of wine,” I say, lowering myself onto the sofa next to Allie. She wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “Pinot Noir, if you have it?”
“We keep a few bottles in the kitchen for special occasions,” Topper replies with a wink. “Pretty sure a post-trough recovery qualifies.”
He disappears through a side door as Allie nudges me and grins.
“He’s adorable, isn’t he?” she says.
“Oh yes,” Leo chimes in.
Allie sets her wine down and glances behind her, then back at me. “Did you see his eyes? They are mesmerizing.”
“Heterochromia,” I say.
“God bless you,” Leo says.
I roll my eyes, but smile. “That’s the name for the condition of having eyes of two different colors.”
“Well, whatever it’s called, he’s beautiful,” Allie says. “I’m going to ask him if I can call him Wyatt though. Topper is a cool name, but Wyatt is so wild, wild, West.”
“You can call me anything you like,” Topper says. He pumps his eyebrows at Allie and hands me a wine glass. “We’ll start dinner shortly.”
“Will Mr. Faraday be joining us for dinner?” I ask.
“Uh, yes,” Rusty says.
A shiver of unease weaves its way up my spine as Rusty and Topper exchange anxious glances.
“Maybe we should head into the grand dining room now,” Rusty says, peeling away his shirt cuff to peek at his watch. “We’re excited to have you experience your first meal here. One thing about Firebird is that we’ve hired an exceptional kitchen staff so our vets have the best food and so that we can accommodate all diets.”
“That’s wonderful,” Allie says.
“I can’t wait to learn more,” Leo adds.
“Shall we?” Rusty says, opening his arms.
“Sure, yes, let’s do that,” Topper replies.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t wait for Duke?” Allie asks. “We’ve been having such a good, cozy chat here.” Allie winks at Topper who chuckles.
There she goes. This is why I love Allie, because she throws her heart and soul into everything with reckless abandon. I wish Icould be that way, but I wrapped my heart in a steel cage a long time ago and threw away the key.
