“You definitely don’t.”
They silently locked horns for a long moment.
“Speaking of your expansion,” Gavin said, “did you check out the progress on the stable? The framing went smooth as glass today.”
“It looks great. I can’t believe how much you got done.”
“Thankfully the rain held off,” Wes added.
Across the way the hostess sat a party of three at Charlotte’s empty table. “Hey, it was good seeing you. I gotta get back to work. You guys enjoy your evening.”
They said their goodbyes, and Charlotte grabbed three glasses of water and delivered them to the table. The group hadn’t had a chance to peruse the menus, so she gave them some time. The band lowered the energy a notch with a slow ballad that had couples pairing up on the dance floor.
Jeremy led Brianna that way and took her in his arms. They made a striking couple, but she doubted Brianna would make room in her life for a man right now. She had her hands full with her grandma and work.
Charlotte headed to the poolroom to help clear away the empties folks often left on the high tables or, worse, the pool rails.
Her gaze caught on Gunner, who grabbed a pool cue before perching on a stool. Ignoring him, she collected empty bottles and glasses on her tray, then stopped to chat with a couple of neighbors. She was about to leave the room when someone touched her shoulder.
Gunner leaned close. “Hey, you really don’t have to worry. Your secret’s safe with me. Gavin invited me out and I didn’t have other plans.” He closed with a shrug.
“You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“You were worried. I just wanted to put your mind at ease.”
He’d read her well. Then again, she hadn’t exactly been subtle. “This is really important to me. I don’t want to mess it up.”
“I don’t want to mess it up either. You don’t know me well, but I’d never betray a confidence.” His steady, unflinching gaze backed up his words.
“Fair enough. I appreciate your saying so.” His pleasant masculine scent carried to her nose as the moment lengthened. “I, uh, have to get back to work.”
“Sure. Have a good evening.”
“Enjoy the band. They’re the best in the area if you like country music.” If her voice sounded a little raspy, it was only from raising her voice so much.
“See you in the morning.”
She sent him a parting smile and headed toward the kitchen with the full tray. She was a little rattled. But it was just the close call with her brothers. And the feeling that Gunner might reveal her secret too soon and ruin her relationships with her siblings before they even had a chance to develop.
Seven
“Good boy, Dominic.” Gunner worked the gelding on a lunge line around the pen. He’d taken a bit to warm up this morning, but he was cooperating nicely now. “That’s it. You’ve got it.”
He glanced toward the barn where Charlotte had disappeared a while ago with her vet. Kyle Lemmings was average height with a medium build. He wore his dirty-blond hair cropped short and drove a brand-new F-450 that proclaimed business was going quite well, thank you very much.
Charlotte had introduced the two right off. The vet’s manner with Charlotte was professional enough, but he sneaked glances at her when she wasn’t looking and paid extra attention when she was speaking.
Dominic whinnied.
The gelding was growing bored—Gunner wasn’t paying attention to his job. He turned the horse and led him around the ring in the opposite direction. “Thatta boy. Keep it going now.”
“Hey, Gunner, you got a minute?” Charlotte called from the barn’s shade.
“Sure.” He stopped Dominic, gave him some attention, then set him loose in the paddock.
When he entered the barn, Charlotte and the vet were chatting over by Midnight’s stall.
The horse tossed his head and snorted.
