“Just one.”
She tilts her head, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I don’t like reporters.”
Her eyes widen. “Allreporters?”
“Just ones who want to write a story about me,” I clarify, pining her with my gaze. “Don’t trust them.”
Kalli
Ilet out a slow breath and fold my arms. “That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” I force myself to hold his gaze. He has a way of looking right through me. “What if I’m not here to ruin your life?”
Cash leans against the doorframe, his huge biceps crossed over his chest. “You’d be the first.”
“Well,” I say, forcing a smile to my face, “guess there’s a first time for everything.”
He studies me for a beat, those blue unreadable eyes giving away nothing. “You really believe that?”
“Reporters aren’t all evil, Cash. Some of us just want to report the truth and write a good story.”
He cocks a brow. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that.”
Something flickers across his face, interest, maybe? I can’t be sure. It’s gone before I can decipher it.
“And you’re not going to leave until you get your story?”
I shake my head, holding my ground. “It’s my job.”
“And it’s my job to train and handle the horses,” he says. “So don’t get in my way.”
The corners of my lips twitch up into a small smile. “Does that mean…”
“Yes,” he says wth a shake of his head. “You can ask me a few questions. I’ll even let you watch me work as long as you stay out of my way.”
“I will,” I say eagerly, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. “You won’t even know I’m here.”
Cash shakes his head and drops his gaze quickly, but I still catch the way his lips flicker up into what looks dangerously similar to a smile. “Somehow I doubt that very much, Miss Collins.”
He turns and slips from the door with a tip of his hat and what I’m almost sure is a chuckle.
The moment he’s gone and the door is closed behind him, I stamp my feet and throw my arms up in the air in a little celebratory dance.
I’m far from winning what I’m sure will be a battle to win over Cash Thorne, but I’m one step closer, and I’ll take it.
Small wins, baby.
This is my first major assignment, and it’s becoming abundantly clear that I’m in way over my head, but I’ve never shied away from a challenge. I’m not about to start now.
Now that I can finally breathe, I take a moment to unpack my suitcase and assess what I packed. It’s clear that the boots and coat I drove up in aren’t going to cut it on the ranch, but lucky for me, I have a few slightly better choices.
The other pair of boots I packed look better suited for a hike in the parks of Vancouver, but they have laces, aren’t made of shiny black leather, and the best part—they have no heels. They’ll have to do.
I’m just about finished unpacking when my phone buzzes from in my purse.
“At least there’s cell service up here,” I say and go in search of my phone.
