The mare snorted in response.
I could feel Kenzie bristling, even struggling to free herself. I held her tightly against me. The last thing any of us needed was a confrontation at this point.
“Let’s get you set up in your stall.”
As Wade moved to another part of the barn, I slowly released my hand, pulling her around to face me.
She started to pull away and I yanked her arm.
“Don’t.” My whisper was harsh.
“He needs to be told to mind his own business.”
Smiling, I brushed hair from her face. “All in due time, Palomino Girl. I don’t think now is the time.” I glanced down at my naked appearance, nodding toward the stairs since some clothes had been tossed to the floor downstairs.
“Oh, shit.” She slapped her hand across her mouth, her exclamation loud enough I pulled us further into the shadows.
Thankfully, it seemed Wade hadn’t heard.
In the waning shadows, I continued studying her beautiful face, realizing the lengths I’d go to so she could be happy.
The wait was arduous, but he finally left the barn. After moving a chair closer to the window, I was able to watch as he walked away, disappearing toward the house. Thank God, I’d parked my truck on one of the off roads normally those making deliveries used.
When I stood in front of her again, we both remained silent. Perhaps saying anything at this point was difficult.
“Are you going to come to meet the city council with me? I made an appointment for tomorrow. If I can’t get a temporary occupancy approval at minimum, then the rodeo is off. That requires the council’s final stamp of approval.”
“What are you thinking?”
“They’re holding it over my dad’s head. What I need to figure out is why.”
I thought about her request, rubbing my jaw. “We’ll meet there, but you’re not going to do anything dangerous. Okay?”
“Dangerous? How could talking with them be dangerous?”
“Because of the two suspicious fires. People with a lot to lose will go to great lengths to keep that from occurring.” I could tell her wheels were turning. What in the hell was she up to?
“I don’t plan on doing anything stupid. I just want to feel them out and try and encourage them to move forward.” She glanced toward the railing, the slight smile she offered almost as if the moment shared was still considered forbidden. The awkwardness was as tenacious as before. “What are the odds Wade noticed your shirt?” Her giggle brought a smile, but I was sensed she was deflecting.
Chuckling, I glanced toward the window. “Too many shadows in the barn. Speaking of which, I should get going.” Only I didn’t move. I wasn’t certain if I was hoping she’d ask me to stay or not. I’d taken a risk coming here in the first place. Honestly, I’d done so based on the same damn rebellious streak I’d had as a kid.
Funny how certain things never changed.
“Yeah, I get it.” She backed away, sidestepping me so she could grab her clothes. “I’m glad you’re going to be a part of the rodeo.”
“You’re sure you want to do this?”
“You know what’s funny? I learned some things about my father I didn’t know, including that he was forced to wait for my mother for years. She went off to college. I guess she was involved with another man at some point. But my father of all people waited. He loved her that much. There is such a thing as love at first sight.”
I wasn’t certain why she was sharing the information, but I could tell the discovery meant a lot to her. I also knew how worriedshe was. I knew enough people in the building community and rumors always flew about proposed projects, even while in the earliest stages. That’s how prime the real estate in Missoula was. There’d also been acts of arson before, two I’d handled as a firefighter.
Both had involved insurance fraud. But what I had to keep asking myself was if her father was involved in some scheme, why would he ask for her help? To manipulate her? I wouldn’t put it past him.
“I guess there is also such a thing as eternal love.” As soon as I made the statement, a light sparked in her eyes.
“Eternal love.” As soon as she turned on a light, another even stranger moment of awkwardness settled in, her eyes locked on mine. She laughed more to herself, turning around to dress.
I concentrated on dressing, wondering why in being around her there was passion then there was tension.
