“Watch me.”

  “I like watching you,” he murmured, straightening up and ambling toward her. “Especially when you’re flustered.”

  “I’m not flustered!”

  “I thought you said you didn’t want to lie.”

  “Have you decided what we’re doing about dinner?”

  He chuckled. “Changing the subject?”

  “Maybe,” she said softly, staring up at him as he came to a stop directly in front of her. “Though I am very hungry.”

  “You,” he said, dropping his voice and sliding his fingers into her hair, “are as temptin’ as hot apple pie and ice cream.”

  “Is that good?” she whispered, her heart leaping. “Do you like apple pie and ice cream?”

  “Love it, except the pie’s gotta be hot, like you.”

  He slowly leaned in and brushed her lips; the soft kiss made her legs wobbly, but as it abruptly grew fervent, and his hard cock pressed against her thigh, she dropped the broom and threw her arms around his waist.

  “I’ve got something special in mind for dinner,” he murmured as he pulled back. “I’m goin’ to the house, but I’ll be back to get you. Wear a dress, no panties.”

  “I just realized,” she stammered, never wanting to leave his arms. “I’ll have to run back to Furlong Farms and pack an overnight bag. I don’t have anything with me.”

  “Then you’d better finish up and hit the road. How long will you be?”

  “Not long, but just to be safe, figure I’ll be ready for you at 6:30.”

  “I’ll be knockin’ on your door, and you’ll be on time, right?”

  “Yes, for sure, except you’ve made me all weak now. How am I supposed to finish sweeping?”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  “I don’t want to figure it out. I want to go up to the loft and—”

  “Get naked?”

  “Yeah, both of us this time.”

  He grinned, then kissing her softly, he dropped his arms away. “See you in a bit.”

  As he turned and marched off, she watched him for a minute, then stepped into the tack room and sat down on a tack trunk.

  “Why do you affect me like this?” she mumbled, willing her heart to settle. “Why have I let myself get so caught up so fast? Shit. Am I being an idiot getting involved with the man I’m working for? Probably.”

  Taking a long deep breath, she closed her eyes, counted to three, then let it out. The short calming exercise had the desired effect, and lifting her phone from her pocket, she called the one person who always knew what to say.

  “Hey, honey. Good to hear from you. How are things?”

  “Hi, Dad.”

  “Uh-oh. I know that voice. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, not yet.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Remember I told you about the interview with Brad Hillman, Doug’s farrier?”

  “Sure. I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”

  “I would have called earlier but everything happened so fast and I’ve barely had a second. He’s hired me, and I’m moving into this awesome loft above the barn, but, uh,” she said hesitantly, “the thing is, he’s amazing. I’m crazy about him.”

  “Ah. I see.”

  “We’ve connected. He likes me too. A lot. Have I totally messed up? Am I nuts to date my new boss?”

  He didn’t respond. She held her breath. Just as she was about to press him, he began to speak.

  “You just said the feelings are mutual. Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure—well—as much as I can be.”

  “Then I suspect he’s asking himself the very same question. He’s found someone to fit the bill for his business, but he’s attracted to her, so attracted he’s acted on it.”

  “Yeah, that’s true,” she murmured thoughtfully.

  “Doug has always spoken highly of him, so I don’t think he’s an impetuous guy. His feelings must be pretty strong or he wouldn’t have put himself in such a difficult situation, and certainly not so quickly.”

  “Oh, my gosh, you’re right.”

  “Megan, you can’t deny your heart. Nothing yells more loudly or with such clarity.”

  “Like you and Triple H?”

  “I wish you’d stop calling her that,” he muttered, impatience in his voice. “Her name is Marianne. Use it.”

  “Sorry.”

  “But, yes. Your mother was long gone, and I felt something for Marianne the moment we met. I’ve told you that before. Maybe now you might understand what I mean.”

  “Maybe, but didn’t you feel that with Mom? And she took off with that lord or duke or whatever he is.”

  “There are no guarantees, hon, and if you don’t let this thing play itself out because you’re scared of what might happen, you’ll end up looking over your shoulder wondering what if.”

  She took a breath. “That hit home. That’s exactly what I’d do. Thank you, Dad. You always know the right thing to say.”

  “It’s part of my job description.”

  “I need to go, but I’ll call you tomorrow. There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

  “I’ll be here. Love you.”

  “I love you too. Bye.”

  “Bye, hon.”

  Ending the call, a knowing grin crossed her lips. “Dad’s absolutely right. You’re in the same pickle as me, Mr. Big. Cool.”

  Rising to her feet and feeling much calmer, she walked back into the barn, finished sweeping, then hurried out to her Jeep.

  * * *

  Stepping from the shower, Brad toweled himself off, dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a fresh shirt, then walked through the house and into his office. With cameras overlooking the paddocks and throughout the barn, Megan’s time with Bonny that afternoon would have been recorded and he couldn’t wait to see her in action.

  As he settled into his desk and ran the footage, the first thing he noticed was how she’d waited at the gate until Bonny started to move toward her. Only then did she step forward. When they met up, Megan stood quietly for a minute or two, then running her hands over Bonny’s neck and back, she found spots she wanted to rub. The horse started to shift her body so Megan could find the areas she needed the massage.

  “I wanna see you work with Pepper,” he muttered, as he watched Megan head to the back of the paddock with Bonny following her. “He’s been a real challenge, and you have a unique gift.”

  Checking his watch, he was about to start organizing things for dinner when his phone rang. It was Jennifer Roberts.

  “Why am I not surprised?” he muttered. “No, not now. Whatever you have to say can wait until mornin’. Come on, Catch, we have some organizin’ to do, and not a lot of time to do it. I can’t be late, that’s for sure!”

  With his dog barking excitedly beside him, Brad gathered up the supplies he needed from the kitchen and headed out the door.

  * * *

  After the mad dash to the cabin at Furlong Farms, frantically packing, and the hurried drive back to Hammer and Nails, Megan had returned with just enough time to get ready. She showered, applied a light touch of makeup, chose her long aqua dress with the embroidered top that belted at the waist, and pulled on her tan cowboy boots.

  “Not bad,” she said approvingly, studying her reflection in the dresser mirror, “especially considering how fast I made it happen.”

  A light tap on the door announced Brad’s arrival. Quickly glancing at her watch and seeing it was 6:30 on the dot, she smiled. She was on time for once.

  “Come on in!”

  “Hey,” Brad said, opening the door and ambling across to her. “You look great.”

  “Thanks, handsome, so do you. Where are we going?”

  “Somewhere very special. Are you ready?”

  “I am, and I’m not late!”

  “Ten gold stars.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You’ll find out,” he quipped with a wink.

  “Hello, Catch. What are you doing here?”

  “He’s joinin’ us.”

  “He is? Does that mean we’ll be eating on a patio? Maybe I should bring a jacket.”

  “You should. It might get nippy later.”

  She brought her warm down parka, and slipping it around her shoulders, she picked up her bag.

  “After you,” he said, bowing dramatically and gesturing toward the door.

  Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she was about to turn right toward the driveway, when he put his arm around her waist and guided her toward the back of the barn. His touch sent a tingle through her body, but as they started up a trail alongside the paddocks, her curiosity could not be contained.

  “Brad, what’s going on?”

  “No more questions.”

  “But this is crazy. Oh! We’re going on a picnic.”

  “Are you beggin’ for another spankin’?”

  “No! I didn’t ask a question, I made a guess.”

  “True enough, but don’t worry, you’ll have answers soon enough. Come on through here,” he said, taking her hand and leading her into the thicket. “Watch your step. The path is clear, but there might be the odd rock you could trip over.”

  As the setting sun cast its remaining light through the overhead branches, the trail took them up a gentle slope, then suddenly, through the trees, a cottage emerged, golden light shining from its windows.

  “Oh, my gosh. What is this place? Oops, I wasn’t supposed to ask.”

  “Now you can,” he said with a grin. “I had this built when I did the renovations on the house.”

  “This is too weird,” she remarked, pausing her step. “Way too weird.”

  “What is?”

  “This afternoon when I was at the back of Bonny’s paddock, I looked up here and thought it would be the perfect spot to have a getaway. I pictured a little cabin just like what I’m seeing.”

  “No kiddin’?”

  “No kidding.”

  “We’re approaching it from the back, but we’ll enter through the front door. I could have taken you that way, but this is quicker.”

  “I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but you don’t strike me as the romantic type.”

  “You aren’t wrong, I’m not. I guess you’re bringin’ it out in me.” Then pausing, he lowered his voice. “The truth is, I’ve always wanted to bring someone up here.”

  “I’m really glad I’m that someone,” she said softly, feeling her heart flutter, “and thank you for telling me.”

  “I wanted you to know. Ready to look inside?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Walking around the cabin, they came upon a wide porch with a swing, but turning her eyes, she looped her arm through his and let out a long sigh. The valley stretched out below them, and the sun was setting behind the distant mountains.

  “Brad, this is amazing.”

  “Yeah, it is. Come inside. Besides havin’ my own private hideaway, there’s another reason I built this place.”

  As he opened the door, Catch ran in ahead of them, and as she entered and looked around, the large single room was exactly as she’d imagined. A couch and coffee table in front of a fireplace, a small kitchen, and a dining table set for two.

  “This is so cozy. I love it,” she said, then suddenly noticed the bed in the corner. “Brad! Oh, my gosh. Where did you find that?”

  Though similar to an old-fashioned, four-poster brass bed, the footboard was adorned with galloping horses, horseshoes were wrapped around the posts, and the padded headboard boasted a black and white tapestry of horses grazing.

  “There’s more. Follow me.”

  As he moved to a door on the far wall near the fireplace, she paused to glance at the bed. If the door didn’t lead to a bedroom, what sat behind it?

  “You’re right,” he said with a grin. “Yeah, I read your mind. This isn’t a master suite. Come and take a look.”

  “You have me totally curious,” she replied, walking quickly to join him, but as she stepped past him and entered the room, she let out a gasp.

  Chapter Ten

  Megan stared in wonder at the metal sculptures surrounding her. They were mounted on the walls, sitting proudly on pedestals, and larger pieces stood on the floor, On a wide work bench running the length of a wall of glass overlooking the valley and mountains, various pieces waited to be finished.

  “This is breathtaking,” she murmured, moving slowly through the room. “These are yours? I mean, did you make all these?”

  “Yep.”

  “And the bed?”

  “And the bed, but the tapestry I found.”

  “Brad, you are unbelievably talented.”

  “I love workin’ with a hammer in my hand. Takin’ a clump of nothin’ and givin’ it life is a great feelin’.”

  “I don’t know what to say. That eagle, it looks so real. How do you decide which pieces to paint and which to leave untouched?”

  “I usually have it in my head when I start.”

  “This foal is adorable,” she muttered, stopping at a life-size baby horse in the middle of a joyous leap. “Every one of these is a masterpiece. I saw the one you gave to Uncle Doug, but I never imagined you were so prolific. How many pieces do you have in here?”

  “Not sure. This is my studio, and what you’re lookin’ at are my latest. I just haven’t had the time to move them to the display room in my house.”

  “Like a gallery?”

  “Sort of, except no one’s invited. It’s for my own pleasure, and yours too now.”

  “What? You’re kidding? Why don’t you sell them?”

  “It’s not in me, but I give them away to special people for various reasons.”

  “But, Brad, don’t you want to share this with the world? You could be famous.”

  “Why would I wanna be famous? Seems to me fame would be a pain in the ass.”

  “What about rich? You could make a fortune off these.”

  “I inherited this ranch from my uncle, along with enough to renovate it and keep it runnin’. There’s a country song that spells it out pretty good. I’ve got everything I want, and nothin’ that I don’t.”

  “Was your uncle a blacksmith?”

  “Nope, he was a trainer, but he was unique. He could be with a horse for five minutes and tell you everything about it. Horses trusted him almost on sight, and if they didn’t, it wouldn’t take them long. I’m sorry you never got to meet him,” he said solemnly, then looking at her intently, he said, “Megan, I think you’ve got the same gift.”

  “I’m not sure about that.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. I’ve been around trainers and horses my whole life. He’s the only other person I’ve ever seen achieve such amazing results so fast. What you’ve done with Bonny is remarkable, even if you did know her before.”

  “Please don’t assume I can do that with just any horse. Bonny and I clicked from the start. You know what I mean! You work with horses every day. Some you just have a connection with, like people.”

  “True, but I still believe you have something special, and I know my uncle would be really pleased you’re here.”

  “What a lovely thing to say.”

  “I don’t say what I don’t mean.”

  Sending her eyes back around the room, she turned to him and reached for his hand. “Brad, thank you for showing me all this. I’m truly honored. It feels... private.”

  A moment of silence fell between them, and leaning down, he pressed his lips on hers—but only for a moment. “You must be starved. Dinner should be ready by now.”

  “Do you come up here much?” she asked, as they strolled back into the living area. “Besides when you’re sculpting, I mean.”

  “When I’m creatin’ a piece I can get immersed, and live here for days. That’s why I can’t take on more clients, either shoein’ or trainin’. I barely have the hours to work with the ones I have, but we can talk about that over our meal,” he said, his voice suddenly changing. “Right now, we have some unfinished business.”

  Her butterflies springing to life, she stared at him, a deer in headlights.

  “Why are you so surprised? You know by now I don’t let things slide. What time was it when you checked your watch and realized you were late?”

  “A few minutes past five,” she managed, wishing her voice hadn’t sounded so thin.

  “A few minutes? Would that be two, three, four...?”

  “Uh, three, I think.”

  “A swat for every minute you’re late, that’s what I told you, but you were still at the back of Bonny’s paddock. It’s difficult to figure out exactly how many swats you deserve, so you’re gonna tell me.”

  “Me?”

  “Yep. You got so involved with havin’ fun with the mare you forgot to check your watch. That’s what happened. Right?”

  “Uh, yes.”

  “I’m gonna check on dinner. When I come back you’ll tell me the number of swats you’ve earned.”

  Megan’s head began to spin. She had no idea, but as she watched him walk into the kitchen, open the oven and peer inside, the answer popped into her head. She just hoped it would satisfy him.

  * * *

  Deciding to take Megan to his cabin and show her his studio had been instinctive, but when she’d walked in, the moment had felt surreal. It was his personal space, not to be invaded. Megan’s visit was a first. Brad had never taken anyone there. Then she’d made the comment.

  Brad, thank you for showing me this. I’m truly honored. It feels... private.

  An odd sensation had rippled through his body, and he’d realized everything about Megan’s presence on his ranch had been almost ethereal. His sudden decision to offer her a job, her discovering the horse she’d lost track of and wanted so badly, and his overwhelming need to devour her. The entire scenario—from start to finish—had been astonishing.

  Throughout his life he’d been unsure about the existence of fate. The concept of events being predestined was in direct opposition to his controlling nature, but as he lifted the foil off the top of the baking dish, he couldn’t deny the strong sense that Megan’s presence on the ranch—and in his life—was meant to be.

  Catch barked, almost making him jump.

  “Did the smell of the chicken bring you runnin’?” he said with a grin, grateful Catch had interrupted his heavy thoughts. “Don’t worry, you’ll get some bites.”