1
Megan Perl slipped through Rosemont Castle’s front doors as sunrise brightened the sky outside, brand new Canon digital camera in her hands. Her breath fogged the air in front of her as she jogged down the steps, tucking her chin into the fold of her scarf as she went. She crossed the circular drive out front before turning to face the castle.
Gingerly, she lifted the camera out of its case and turned it on, adjusting the shutter to capture the sun as it crept up behind the castle, making its stone façade seem to glow.Beautiful. Sometimes she still couldn’t believe this place existed, tucked into the Appalachian Mountains here in Towering Pines, Virginia, or that she and her two best friends were lucky enough to work here.
Megan crouched down, looking up at the castle through the camera’s lens. She snapped a series of photos as the sun rose over the tower on its left-hand side, capturing the way the light reflected in the castle’s many windows as it rose higher in the sky. These were the details she’d always loved to photograph most.
From behind her, the sound of a diesel engine rumbling up the drive disturbed the otherwise quiet morning. She turned, watching as a shiny black pick-up truck pulled up in front of the castle and parked. This must be Jake Reardon, the man who had recently rented the stable and farmhouse on the grounds. He was supposed to be moving in today, although she hadn’t met him yet. She didn’t know much about him except that he was a widower and well-liked around town. And apparently, he liked to get areallyearly start on moving day.
The door to the cab opened, and the man inside stepped out, turning to face her. She took in his lean, muscular frame, the well-fitted jeans and brown leather boots.
Well, hello there…
A fluttery sense of awareness filled her belly as her gaze swept up to meet his, warm brown eyes set in a handsome—if solemn—face. But, wait. She’d stared into those eyes before. She knew this guy. Well, she didn’t know him, exactly, but for a few memorable seconds across a bar last summer, they’d shared a definite…moment.
She swallowed over the dryness in her throat. “Are you Jake Reardon?”
He nodded. “I am.”
“Megan Perl.” She extended her hand. “We must not have been formally introduced that night at Bar None. When I heard you were moving onto the property, I didn’t realize we’d already met.”
“I hadn’t put two and two together either.” His voice was deep and rich. It had captivated her that night last summer, and it had the same effect on this chilly spring morning. His gaze was steady yet intense, locked on her face.
Instinctively, she dipped her head so that her hair fell across her left cheek, hiding the scars marring her skin. “Well, this is a happy coincidence.”
“It sure is.” Jake was seemingly unaffected by her appearance. He didn’t flinch or look away, as some other men had, but there was no heat in his gaze either. That night at Bar None, the air between them had sizzled with attraction. The absence of it from him now was enough to douse the spark still simmering in her belly. Maybe he wasn’t interested anymore. Maybe he’d found someone else in the months since, or maybe he no longer found her attractive.
She cleared her throat. “I have to confess, I didn’t expect to see you until later today. Getting an early start?”
“I just stopped by to get the keys, so I can get the barn prepped before I bring my horse over this afternoon.”
“Oh, okay. I can get those for you.” She tucked her camera inside its case.
“Are you a photographer?” he asked, stepping closer.
She nodded. “Still something of an amateur.”
“Can I see?” He gestured to the camera.
A warm flush spread over her skin as she pulled the camera back out, turned on the display screen, and showed him one of the shots she’d just taken. The sun’s rays burst from behind the tower like a halo, just as she’d envisioned.
“Wow. I’m impressed,” he said, his tone sincere. “That doesn’t look like an amateur shot to me.”
“I’ve never had any formal training, but I’ve taken some online classes,” she said with a shrug, uncomfortable with his praise. “And lots of practice.”
“We learn by doing,” he agreed. “That’s how I became a horse trainer.”
“Really?”
“Took a job mucking stalls at a barn near me when I was a teenager to help pay the bills. Before I knew it, I was spending all my free time there, helping out wherever I could. Turns out, I’m good with horses. Who knew?” He offered a self-deprecating smile.
“I’ll, um, I’ll get those keys for you,” she said, motioning for him to follow her up the steps into the castle. She led the way into the office, where she pulled out a large white envelope that contained the keys to the barn and farmhouse. She and Jake sat down and went over the remaining paperwork before she handed him the envelope.
“Look forward to moving in,” he said as he stood, those brown eyes sizzling into hers.
“We’re looking forward to having you here,” she said. “And I personally can’t wait to see horses grazing out there on our pastures.”
“Guess I’ll see you around, then.” He extended his hand, and she took it. His grip was firm and warm, and it sent a ripple of heat up her arm like she’d just slipped her hand into a hot bath.
