“Yeah.” He smiled wider. “I’m good. Now go,” he swatted her butt, loving the cute, ruffled skirt she was wearing. She didn’t dress up often, but man, when she did—damn.
“Have your girls’ day. Drink overpriced coffee, eat tiny little pastries, and spend a ridiculous amount of money on a bunch of stuff you don’t really need.”
Olivia laughed as she walked past him. “Been on a lot of these, have you?”
“I watch movies,” he joked.
“Why, Jake McQueen. I never pictured you a chick-flick fan.”
He gave her a real smile then. “Just go, before I give you another swat.”
Olivia tilted her head and looked at him thoughtfully.
This time, his brow furrowed. “What?”
“I’m just trying to decide how long I would have to stand here before that happens.” She winked and blew him a kiss, before walking out the door.
Jake laughed, but as he closed the door behind him, his smile faded. The woman he loved had no idea that, in a few short hours, her world would come tumbling down.
Chapter 8
An hour later, Jakestormed down the hill, wanted to howl out his frustration. He opened the man-door to the barn and headed toward his favorite horse’s stable.
Riding always helped to clear his mind. Gave him time to think. And if he didn’t think of something fast, he feared he’d lose Olivia forever.
Jake approached the familiar stall. Champ, his favorite horse, looked over at him, and he could have sworn the horse was glaring. Not that he could blame him. Jake hadn’t been around much lately to give him the attention he should.
His hired hand—a trusted Army vet Ryker had put him in contact with—came once a day when Jake was away for work. He’d saddle Champ and Daisy up, taking each one for a ride around the property and made sure they were groomed and fed.
Since bringing her here, Jake had taken Liv riding, but that had been the first time in a long time he’d given his horses some quality attention.
“Hey, buddy.” Jake reached out and rubbed Champ’s coarse, brown hair. “You still mad at me?”
The horse blew air from his nose in a loud huff, but Jake figured all was forgiven when Champ nudged his hand.
Drawing in a deep breath, Jake welcomed the smell of wood, hay, and horses. He smiled, loving the tranquility of it all. He was about to unlatch the stall door when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Suddenly, Jake knew he wasn’t alone.
