“The course we’re teaching is for beginners,” he explained as he guided them toward the trail. “Kids between the ages of five and nine. It starts today with an introduction to the horses. As the week goes on, they’ll get to climb onto the saddle, ride around the corral, and the last day we take them on a small trail for a picnic.”
Andie’s eyes widened. “Will it be warm enough?”
He chuckled. “Weatherman thinks so, but we’ll have to play it by ear.” He slipped a hand around her arm. Slowly then, he guided it down the length toward her hand, and tucked the leather strap into her fist.
“Here,” he said under his breath, doing the same with the other hand. “You take this now. Give it a slight tug on the right to go right. Slight tug on the left to go left. Nice and even to keep straight.”
“Okay.” She bit her lip, caught up in more feelings than she knew what to do with. Trenton’s touch thrilled her more than she wanted to admit. And the horse, it was such an intimidating creature, strong and powerful. Yet gentle and beautiful too. She couldn’t help but feel reverenced somehow as she rocked and swayed with each trot.
“Trigger,” she said, daring to brush the side of her hand along his mane, “you seem like a great horse.”
“He is,” the cowboy assured. They kept on toward the trail before he spoke up once more. “There you go,” he praised her. “Not bad.”
She resisted the urge to thank him for the compliment. She hadn’t really done anything but fist the reins and stare at the trail ahead.
“So the guys with you earlier, they’re your brothers or…”
“Yes,” she blurted. “Brothers. I’m single. I mean, we all are.”Shut up, Andie.
“Okay then, Ms. Duran, let me be the first…” He broke off there. “Scratch that. You’ve already met Betty, who offers a warmer welcome than I’m capable of. But let me be the second to welcome you to Haven Hills. I hope you and your brothers like it here at The Homestead.”
A rush of heat hit her cheeks. And a million butterflies took flight in her tummy. As warm as Betty’s style of welcome was, Andie couldn’t help but swoon a little from Trenton’s. The truth was, Trenton wasn’t too different from the dark horse they rode on. Strong, mysterious, and uniquely gentle despite his intimidating size and strength.
“Thank you,” she said through a smile. She mused back on the way she’d secretly hoped to bump into the cowboy once more. And now she had. In fact, they were riding together on the back of his horse.
Enjoying life at The Homestead seemed like an impossibility just hours ago. But now, something told Andie she might just enjoy her time there after all.
Chapter 6
Trenton circled in place, keeping Trigger at a slow and even trot as he waited for Andie. The first few times around, Trigger had stamped a circular track of hoof prints in the snow. But now, after having circled the same path another two dozen times, the snow had given way to mud.
Darts of irritation pricked at him from the inside. He couldn’t very well be late for a class he was teaching. In fact, he preferred to arrive early so he could get things set up.
The uptown brunette was pretty, he’d give her that much, but she was uptight, quick to accuse, and she oozed of that city snobbery they rarely saw at the inn. The Homestead, by nature, attracted the best sorts of people. Down to earth folks who knew how to kick back, relax, and have a good time. And most didn’t mind if they got a little dirty along the way.
Shehadsurprised him though. He’d expected something akin to World War Three after hearing her pipe up over the phone in a rage. And when he’d called her honey… a smile crossed his lips at the recollection.
Trenton wasn’t ignorant to the way some women took offense to terms of endearment, even when uttered under the best of circumstances. So when she’d corrected him by only lending her name, he was surprised she’d left it at that.
Andie.It was a cute, playful name for a woman so serious. Which led him to the biggest surprise of all—her apologetic tone. The way she’d dropped the gloves, so to speak, and even accepted a ride on his horse moments later.
Something told him that wasn’t exactly the woman’s status quo. She seemed the type who knew how to carry out a good fight when she had a mind for it. Perhaps her political senses kicked in. Calm down and play nice—she was new here, after all.
So she’d back-peddled, so what? That didn’t mean they’d suddenly get along. And did people always go around making it so easy for her the way he had? What, she just batted her lashes and flashed those dimples and suddenly all was forgiven and right with the world?Sheesh.
He was starting to feel like a sucker in retrospect. Inhaling her sweet, coconut scent as he helped her take the reins. Warmth stirred low in his belly at the recollection alone.Stop it, Trenton.That woman was trouble ifhe’d ever met it.
Besides, didn’t he have more important things to think about? Like the fact that he was leaving soon. And—the next thought hit him like a gut punch without the glove—the info Milt’s lawyer gave him earlier today.
Had Trenton really forgotten about it so easily? The ache in his gut moved up to his chest. And his head too. He’d been waiting his whole life for some hints to his past, and now he dreaded the idea of finally getting the answers.
Maybe that meant something. Meant that the timing wasn’t right.
He nodded as he considered it further. Trenton had a clue; it wasn’t like he was going to lose it or forget it. Perhaps it’d be best to wait until he got settled in his new place. Away from all the memories here.
A calming wave of relief moved over him as the idea took root.Yes, it was better to wait. In fact, as soon as he sold his ranch and got settled into his new place, Trenton would sit at the laptop, type the city and date into the search bar, and learn about the past he’d never known. For now, he should focus on meeting with each new owner, showing them the ropes around the inn, and making sure they got settled before he took off.
Perfect.
