“Wyatt Thorne,” he says with a grin as he takes my hand, removing his cowboy hat at the same time. It’s very chivalrous, and I find myself relaxing a little.
“And this is my brother, Cash Thorne.” Wyatt steps to the side, revealing the dark-eyed cowboy I’d identified correctly a moment ago. “We’re happy to have you, Kali.”
Cash’s lips press into a hard line as he seems to study the land just beyond me.
“Aren’t we, Cash?” Wyatt urges.
Finally, Cash shifts his gaze so it locks on mine.
It’s not friendly.
It’s the kind of look that makes it clear that, despite what his brother says, he isnothappy to have me here.
I swallow hard, my city confidence shrivelling fast.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Thorne.” I hold my hand for him, and for a second, I’m not sure he’s going to take it.
But he’s too much of a gentleman. He tips his hat, and at the same time, takes my tiny hand into his. “Ma’am.”
Ma’am?
I know it’s supposed to be a sign of respect, but somehow coming from Cash’s mouth, it doesn’t have the same ring. “Call me, Kali,” I say with confidence I don’t feel.
“Kali is our guest for the next little bit,” Wyatt says, putting an arm around Anna. “I know Cash will do everything he can to help you out with the story and make you feel right at home here on Rock Creek Ranch. Won’t you, brother?”
A mumble of agreement comes from the cowboy, and his eyes narrow before he looks away with a shake of his head.
Interesting.
When I’d been assigned this piece, I’d been told the brothers who’d recently taken over their father’s ranch were eager for good press. Especially, Cash Thorne, the celebrity horse trainer, who’d been caught up recently in a scandal that, when I did some digging, didn’t appear to have anything to do with him.
Clearly, not all of that information was correct.
But I’m a reporter. I’ll get the story from him.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you,” I say as brightly as I can. “This is going to be fun.”
Cash scoffs, not bothering to try and hide it.
At the same time, a gust of wind cuts through the yard. I wrap my coat around me tighter and stamp my feet, which are already soaked through the leather.
“You must be freezing,” Anna says.
“Wouldn’t be if you were dressed properly,” Cash mutters under his breath.
“Be nice.” Wyatt shakes his head. “She’s come a long way. Why don’t you show Kali to the guest cabin so she can warm up and get settled?”
Cash’s head whips around. “Me?”
“Anna and I have some things to take care of in the house,” Wyatt says easily with a wink toward his wife that lets me know exactly what kind of things they have to take care of.
Again, Cash mutters something under his breath before turning to look at me with barely contained irritation. But there’s something else there, too. A flicker of something in his eyes I can’t quite figure out.
“Guess you’re with me,” he says.
I paste on my most professional smile and follow him through the yard as carefully as I can, trying to ignore the way my pulse jumps every time he looks back at me.
I’m so busy trying not to stare at the way his jeans hug his ass that I’m not paying attention to my footing.
