Page 30 of Time To Learn

“I shouldn’t have to prove anything to you,” I hiss. I raise my voice. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have horses to tendto.”

Careful not to touch any part of his body, I step around him and move to release Lady from the tie ring hanging on the stall.

“I take it that means you don’t want to join me for a pint tonight at the Oran Mor in Glasgow?”

I don’t even bother to look at him as I begin to lead the pony outside.

“That would be the correct assumption, yes.”

“Guess I’ll have to find someone else, then.”

The bait isn’t lost on me—I used to be quite good at his game—so I don’t give him the satisfaction of answering. Without knowing it, Ailith comes to my rescue as she skips up to walk beside me, and I suppress the relieved sigh that’s bursting to fall from mylips.

“Do you think Thunder will mind sharing his paddock with Lady and Domino?” she asks me as we walk next to the paddock.

“I think they’ll be fine. The ponies are good for him—they seem to calm himdown.”

We stop at the fence and I remove Lady’s harness before opening the gate. As she trots inside, I keep a close watch on Thunder, trying to anticipate his next mood. The grey gelding looks up from grazing as Lady meanders closer to Domino, but then goes back to eating as the two ponies greet each other.

“They’ll be fine.” I look down at Ailith who’s grinning from ear to ear, and I put an arm around her shoulders. “Come, it’s time for lunch.”

“But I want to talk with Kristian, Mum.” She points back to the stables. I scan quickly to where he’s standing, ignoring the way his lean muscles look as they strain against his white T-shirt.

“Okay,” I relent, “I’ll head to the kitchen and prepare lunch and come to fetch you in ten minutes. Deal?”

She nods and quickly runs off, yelling, “Kristian!”

A wide smile breaks out on his face as his gaze leaves mine to take in her excitement. The unhappy frown is gone, and I can’t help but think how young he looks when he doesthat.

Oh, gosh, how old ishe?

“It doesn’t matter,” I mutter as I keep walking in a straight line towards the house. “I’m not interested.”

Nevertheless, I can’t help but feel rather flattered that I seem to have caught the attention of someone clearly younger than me. Every woman would feel the same, I’msure.