“Wait, I should explain about...” She waved back toward the living room. “I promise I’m not a—”
He threw a hand up, then reached for the door handle. “None of my business.”
She could just feel him slipping away—and she could not lose her new trainer. “No, wait. Please.”
He paused on the threshold.
Yep, definitely some guardedness in those eyes. She’d spooked him good. Lost his trust. He must be thinking she was like that nutjob inMiseryand might lock him in her house and break both his ankles.
“They’re my brothers. Gavin and Cooper. I just found out recently they’re my biological brothers, but they don’t know yet. At least I don’t think they do. They’ve certainly given no indication...”
“Whoa. That’s why you were...?”
“Spying on him through binoculars, yes. I’m not somepsycho stalker, just a curious secret sibling, so please don’t say anything to anybody. This is a very small town and news like this . . . I just want to handle it the right way. Soon as I figure out what that is exactly.”
His gaze roved over her features as his eyes softened. “Who would I tell? I’m new here, remember? And this really is none of my business.”
“Still, you need to know your new employer isn’t planning to start a secret file on you. When my mom died, I found a key to a safety-deposit box, and that envelope was inside. I was planning to talk to my biological father first and give him the chance to tell his family. But I just found out this morning that the man who I thought was Gavin and Cooper’s dad is really their stepdad. So I’m kinda back to square one.”
His eyes narrowed as he took that in.
“Please don’t quit on me. I really need you here, like desperately if I’m honest, to make this expansion work. To put this ranch in the black so I don’t lose it or have to moonlight as a waitress the rest of my life.”
“I didn’t realize.”
“It’ll work—the expansion. I’ve got horses lined up needing your help, and I’ve already booked a few trail rides since I hired you. We’re on our way, but we can’t do it without you.”
He took it all in with quiet eyes that seemed to understand much more than she’d said. “I’m not going anywhere. I promised you six months and I’ll give it to you. Maybe I’m not one to stick around long term, but I don’t take commitment lightly.”
His gentle voice rumbled deeply. She was beginning to see why he had such a way with horses. Those silent appraisals and soft words had a certain effect. Those soulful eyes didn’t hurteither. “Thank you. I appreciate you.” She widened her eyes. “That.I mean, I appreciatethat.”
Her face flooded with heat. And she was ever so grateful when the sound of an approaching vehicle drew their attention to the picture window. A blue GMC pulled a horse trailer toward the house. “That’s my eleven o’clock. And your newest challenge—if you’re up for it.”
His smile kicked her heart into a trot. “Always.”
“Whooaa!” Charlotte said as Midnight crashed into the trailer.
Ben Hughes leaped out the way in the nick of time, barely avoiding being crushed by the gelding.
Gunner grabbed the lead line, speaking gently as the horse quivered and reared. Working with Ben, the two got the horse’s halter off. And as soon as it was gone, Midnight wrenched his head away and bolted for the farthest corner of the paddock.
Charlotte closed the gate and the trio settled at the fence, watching the stricken quarter horse.
“Whew, that was a trip. Sure you still want him?” Ben asked drolly. He was a middle-aged man who wore a Tar Heels cap and a gray goatee. It had taken him ten minutes just to halter the horse.
“Are you okay?” she asked him.
“No worse for wear. Thought I knew a thing or two about horses until that one came along.”
“How long have you had him?” Gunner asked.
“Bought him ’bout six months ago for my twelve-year-old son. We were at an auction and came across him in the dogger section. He was a fine-looking horse, but I figured there must’ve been a good reason he’d been passed over. My son took a likingto him and begged me to save him. Couldn’t say no—no horse deserves to become pet food. Got him for a bargain price.”
She’d just bet he had. He was the most skittish horse she’d ever seen.
“You get any history on him?” Gunner asked.
“Unfortunately, there’s none to be had. He was left over on some estate where the owner died. I have no idea if he was neglected or abused or just traumatized some way. I thought we’d be able to work with him a bit, earn his trust. But we’ve gotten nowhere, and I’m afraid he’s gonna hurt my son. Grant’s heartbroken about losing him, but I need to find him a horse he can ride. Appreciate you taking him in, Charlotte. I hope you can get somewhere with him.”
