12
Jake gazed across the table at Megan. She had on a simple black dress that was absolutely stunning on her. There was something mesmerizing about her, an energy that seemed to radiate from her. He couldn’t look away, not that he was trying to. Tonight, she wore her hair pulled into a loose knot at her neck, draped low over the left side of her face to partially conceal her scars.
She looked up, and their eyes locked. “This is really nice.”
“I think so too.” He’d brought her to a steakhouse in town he’d been wanting to visit. “I’ve always heard great things about this place.”
“You’ve never eaten here before?” she asked before taking another bite of her salad.
“Couldn’t afford it back in high school when I was dating Alana, and never had anyone to bring after that. There are a bunch of restaurants here in town I’d love to try now that I have an excuse to eat there.” He smiled to keep the mood light, not wanting her to feel sad on his behalf. He’d felt plenty of sadness and awkwardness over his situation in the past, but tonight there was nothing but joy and relief to be out to dinner with a beautiful woman who would be spending tonight in his bed. Finally, he could enjoy these simple,normalthings like everyone else.
“Well, as it happens, I love any excuse to go out and enjoy a good meal, so it sounds like this might be a mutually beneficial situation.” She winked, brushing at the hair that covered her cheek. Both of them were keeping their scars hidden tonight, but maybe that was okay. Maybe they deserved to enjoy themselves for a night without having to think about the darker parts of their lives.
“I did a little research this afternoon,” he told her. “And I have a plan to help Bug with her fear of dogs.”
“Oh yeah?” Megan’s eyes brightened.
“Yeah. It would make her a lot more appealing to potential adopters if we could get her past that. Dogs are common on farms, so it could be a problem for her.”
“I didn’t even think of that, but yeah, you’re right. She already has so many strikes against her, it would be great if we could get rid of at least one of them.”
“I wouldn’t say that. She’s very young, which works in her favor. Once she’s trained, she could make a wonderful horse for the right person.”
“She’ll be scarred,” Megan said, her gaze dropping to her salad plate. “Statistically, animals with physical imperfections are more difficult to adopt.”
“I’m not familiar with the statistics, but she’s a pretty horse.”And you’re a beautiful woman. “I think she’s going to look great once she’s not purple anymore.”
Megan smiled softly. “I don’t know. I kind of like her unicorn spots.”
“It does give her that superhero vibe,” he agreed. “I’ve been busy with my offsite clients and Duchess, but she’s progressing really nicely in her training. Once I have some free time, I’ll try to work with Bug and Dusty, see if I can start some saddle work. Assuming of course that neither of them have had any training yet. They may surprise us.”
“I feel bad that you’re spending so much time on them, but I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t feel bad. It’s not like you’re asking me to train a horse for free. I’m helping out with a local rescue. There’s a difference, and I like to be involved.”
“I enjoy it too,” she said. “Working with the shelter on the Fairy Tails program has been one of the most rewarding things since I started working at Rosemont Castle.”
“It’s not something I had much experience with in the past. I’m glad I do now.”
The waitress arrived with their entrees, and conversation slowed as they ate. After a long day at the barn, he had worked up quite an appetite, and his steak turned out to be every bit as delicious as he’d hoped.
“This is so good,” Megan said around a bite. She’d gotten beef medallions in a brown sauce that smelled delicious.
“Jake?”
He turned to find himself facing Sylvia Gayle and her husband, Bob. The couple were close friends of the Robertsons, and Jake had spent plenty of time with them over the years. Nice enough people, if a bit set in their ways.
“Mrs. Gayle, it’s good to see you.” Jake made introductions, noticing Sylvia’s obvious interest in Megan. He wasn’t exactly trying to keep their relationship under wraps, but now that Sylvia knew, his in-laws would probably hear about it before the end of the night. If he’d taken the time to think about it, he would have preferred to tell them himself, but there was no changing it now.
“You’re one of the women working up at Rosemont Castle, aren’t you?” Sylvia asked Megan, who nodded.
“That’s right. We’ve been managing the property for almost a year now.”
“I’ve heard wonderful things about it,” Sylvia said. “I know a lot of people who’ve been out for the tours you’re giving.”
“That’s great,” Megan told her with a warm smile. “We’re all really enjoying it.”
They chatted for a few more minutes while Sylvia plainly sized up Megan to report back to the Robertsons, and he tried not to let it bother him.
