“What year?”
“I’m starting my third.”
She gawked at the man beside her.Brains, looks,andhe cared about animals.He was the entire package.“Wow.How—why did you get a job here?”
“Well, there was an advertisement looking for someone with horse experience.I grew up on a ranch, been riding since I was six.I thought they would want someone to help manage the animals, but when I came in, they assigned me as a knight.I already know how to ride; all they had to do was teach me how to joust, and here I am.”
She could already picture how it would play out.A man like David walking in, already knowing how to ride.All the Carlisles would have to do was throw him in a suit of armor and tell him to smile, and the women would absolutely lose it.Still, the faire was a major time commitment for a newbie.Did he really know what he was getting himself into?
“I bet you’re super busy with school and the faire,” she said.
“Yeah, but this is fun.And it's only a few weekends,” David answered as they walked toward the front gates.“Plus, I know the vet they have on call.I can sneak in some mentorship if an animal gets injured.”
If she hadn’t been swooning before, she definitely was now.
After they said their goodbyes, Ian and Mr.Berscotta escorted Logan across the grass toward their cars.Alex and David were next to leave, heading toward Manhattan.There were smiles and quick hugs, promises of practice the next day.Only one more rehearsal before the weekend.
Then it would be showtime.
As she watched the cars disappear down the long dirt road, Lilian lingered on the empty grounds.It was rare to be alone on the faire grounds.Usually, the place was alive with music, actors, and guests.She let the quiet hang over her while enjoying the sight of the Flint Hills stretching out over the horizon.The Flint Hills were already a beautiful area, but the openness of it all at sunset nearly took her breath away.
Kansas might not have any famous monuments, no ocean or mountains to attract tourists.But the sunsets were one of the best kept secrets, the thing that put every other state to shame.A person could look out across the flat plains for hundreds of miles and see the change in colors as clearly as an oil painting.
Especially now, when there was no one around.No cars.No visitors.All was quiet.
She could feel every breath she took.Appreciate the breeze brushing against her skin.In that moment, all her anxiety for the show and her mother slipped away.She felt at peace.
“Good job today.”
Hawk’s voice shook her out of the meditative state.She blinked, surprised that he was still around.When she turned, he was standing by the main gate, keys slipping into his pocket.Right.Lockup.Then his words finally registered, a compliment.
He’dcomplimentedher?
“Thanks.”She eyed him, waiting for some kind of snarling demand to follow.
Instead, he nodded toward the empty field.“Can I walk you to your car?”
“I doubt anyone will mug me on the way.”
His lips tipped up in the first crack of a smile all evening.“I don’t know.The cows can be pretty aggressive out here.”
Lilian blinked.“Wow.Was that a joke?”As soon as the words left her mouth, she cringed.“God, that was so rude.I’m sorry.You were trying to be nice and…”
Hawk was already shaking his head.“No, don’t apologize.It’s all right, I know I have a tendency to say the wrong thing.”
She bit back her agreement.Hawk came up beside her, and somehow, they fell in step, walking toward the only two cars in the lot.Together.“Well, thanks.I really appreciate you giving this play a chance.”
“No problem.I think it will be a good addition.”
“Really?”Lilian stared, searching for the sincerity on his face.For a second, she thought she saw it.
Hawk’s brows dipped down.“Why don’t you believe me?”
“Well, you didn’t seem to think my shop would be a good addition.”
His eyes widened.“Where did you get that idea?”
Lilian nearly tripped over her feet.Was he kidding right now?“I… you were so… rude that first day.”
