Chapter Two
Ethan entered the barn and headed for the corral.
He rested his arms on the top rail and watched one of his trainers work a horse through the pattern.
He used to love this part of the job, but somewhere along the way it had gotten buried under bookkeeping, scheduling, buying, and selling. He didn’t get much free time anymore.
He kept his eyes on the horse as Johnny maneuvered Roscoe around the barrels. Three years Johnny had worked for him, and he’d never given Ethan a reason to complain. Serena McKay was coming up on two years, and she was just as solid. Three trainers now. He hoped it was enough.
He wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing there when he heard footsteps and looked up to find Naomi crossing the barn toward him. He watched her for a moment, then looked back at the corral.
He didn’t understand why she appealed to him the way she did. Serena was a beautiful woman, and he’d never thought twice about it. Something in the chemistry, maybe. Whatever it was, he didn’t have time for it.
“Hi.” She stopped beside him at the rail. “I finished unpacking and thought I’d take a look around, if that’s alright.”
“It’s fine.” He kept his eyes on Johnny.
“Is he another trainer?”
“Johnny Melvin. Been with me three years. I have another one too. Serena McKay. She’ll be in later.” He looked at her. “I’ll get you three on a schedule so you’re not stepping on each other’s toes.”
Johnny put Roscoe through another run and Ethan watched without really seeing it. He was too aware of her standing beside him, close enough that he caught a trace of her perfume every time she shifted her weight.
“He’s good,” she said.
“Yes, he is.”
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes on the horse. “What’s his name?”
“Roscoe. He’s been here about six months. Still working out some rough edges but he’s coming along.”
“He drops his shoulder going into the second barrel.”
Ethan glanced at her. She was right. “Johnny’s working on it.”
She nodded and said nothing else. He appreciated that. She’d made her point and let it go. That was the mark of someone who knew what they were doing.
They stood in silence for a while, watching Johnny work through the pattern. It should have been comfortable. It wasn’t, at least not for him.
He needed to get a handle on this. She worked for him now, which meant whatever this was had nowhere to go and no business starting. He’d seen what happened when lines got crossed on a ranch. It never ended well for anyone.
“I’ll let you get back to it,” she said finally, pushing off the rail. “I thought I’d take a walk, get a feel for the property.”
“Trail runs along the east fence line. Takes you past the creek.” He kept his voice even. “Don’t go past the tree line on the north end. That’s Cole’s property.”
“Got it.” She smiled at him and he looked back at the corral. “Thanks, Ethan.”
He listened to her footsteps fade toward the barn door, then let out a slow breath.
Johnny brought Roscoe around and pulled up at the rail, swinging down from the saddle. He caught Ethan’s eye and grinned.
“Shut up,” Ethan said.
Johnny looped the reins over the rail, still grinning. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Keep it that way.” Ethan stepped into the corral and ran a hand down Roscoe’s neck. The gelding shifted but settled. “He’s dropping his shoulder on the second barrel.”
“I know. We’re getting there.”
Ethan took the reins and walked him through the pattern on foot, feeling for the hesitation, the subtle lean that threw off the approach. It was there, just like she’d said.
He handed the reins back to Johnny. “Try shortening your approach. Give him less room to anticipate the turn.”
Johnny nodded, swung back up into the saddle, and put Roscoe through the pattern. Better. Not perfect, but better.
He pulled up and dismounted again.
“She seems nice,” he said, not looking at Ethan.
“She’s an employee.” Ethan ducked between the fence rails and walked back toward the barn. “That’s all she is.”
Johnny said nothing. But he was smiling when Ethan glanced back.
****
This was exactly when Naomi wished she had her horse. The property begged to be explored on horseback, and she found herself walking the trail along the east fence line wishing Jewel was beneath her. She missed her more than she’d expected. Soon, she told herself. Soon.
The trail followed the fence line east, winding through tall grass that brushed her boots as she walked.
The property was even prettier on foot than it had looked from the apartment window.
Rolling pastures, a creek that caught the afternoon light, mountains sitting blue and distant on the horizon. She could see why Ethan loved it here.
She walked until the trail curved north and the tree line rose up ahead of her, dense and dark against the sky. She stopped at the edge of it, remembering what Ethan had said. Cole’s property.
She stood there for a moment, looking into the trees. A creek ran somewhere beyond them; she could hear it but not see it. The air was cooler here, smelling of pine and earth.
She turned and looked back the way she’d come. The barn was visible in the distance, small against the wide Montana sky. The apartment windows caught the sun.
She could be happy here. She already knew it as she turned back down the trail and headed home.
Taking her time walking back, in no hurry.
The afternoon light was shifting, turning the pastures gold, and she stopped once just to take it in.
Montana had a way of making you stand still whether you meant to or not.
As she neared the barn she caught movement near the main house and looked over to see Ethan crossing the porch, his hat in his hand. He didn’t see her. He pushed open the door and disappeared inside.
She stood there for a moment longer than she needed to, then turned and climbed the stairs to her apartment.
The next morning, she was having her first cup of coffee when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She went to the door and opened it before whoever it was had a chance to knock.
A pretty redhead stood on the landing, smiling. “Hi, I’m Serena McKay. One of the trainers. I wanted to come introduce myself.”
“Naomi Austin.” She stepped back and held the door open. “Please, come in out of the heat.”
“Thanks.” Serena stepped inside.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Water. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course not. Take a seat.” Naomi smiled. She liked Serena already. She had an easy warmth about her, the kind that was hard to fake.
Once she filled the glasses, she carried them to the living area, handed one to Serena on the sofa, and settled into the overstuffed chair across from her.
“How long have you worked here?” Naomi asked.
“Almost two years. I love it.”
“So, Ethan is good to work for?”
“The best. I’ve never seen him lose his temper. He’s so even-keeled. His brothers are the same way.”
“You know them?”
“Not well, but we’ve met.” Serena smiled over her cup. “I have to say, they’re just as good looking as he is.”
Naomi laughed. “I can imagine.”
“Ethan sets a high bar though. Don’t let the easy manner fool you.”
“I figured as much. His horses come from good lineage and sell for serious money. He’s not going to settle for anything less than the best.”
“Exactly.” Serena nodded. “But if you’re good at what you do, he’ll never give you a reason to complain. Have you met Johnny yet?” Serena asked. There was something just slightly too casual in how she’d said it.
“Not officially. I saw him working a horse yesterday, but we didn’t speak.”
“You’ll like him. He’s funny. Keeps things from getting too serious around here.” She turned her cup in her hands. “He’s been here the longest of all of us.”
“He seems good with the horses.”
“He’s good at everything he does,” Serena said it quietly, then looked up with a small smile like she’d caught herself. “Anyway. Where are you from originally?”
“Kalispell. I worked for a ranch there for years until the owner passed and his wife decided to sell.”
“That’s hard. Especially when you love what you do.”
“It was. But it brought me here, so I can’t complain.” Naomi looked out the window at the pastures below. “I have a mare back there I’m trying to get here. Ethan offered to take me to pick her up.”
“That sounds like him.” Serena smiled. “He’d never say it, but he’s a softie underneath all that quiet.”
Naomi said nothing, but she filed that away.
“Have you had a chance to explore Clifton yet?” Serena asked.
“Not yet. I drove down Main Street on my way in and wanted to stop at every shop I saw.”
“Then we’re going.” Serena set her cup down. “I’m off today. I’ll show you around.”
Naomi looked at her. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t.” Serena stood and grinned. “Finish your coffee.”
They rinsed their cups and headed downstairs. As they crossed the yard Naomi spotted Ethan coming out of the barn, a rope in his hand.
“Morning,” Serena called out.
He nodded. “Serena.” His eyes moved to Naomi. “Settling in alright?”
“I am, thanks.” She fell into step beside Serena. “We’re heading into town. Serena’s going to show me around.”
Something shifted in his expression, gone before she could read it. “Good idea. You’ve got a few days before you start.” He looked at Serena. “Have her back before dark. I need you both fresh Monday morning.”
Serena gave him a salute. “Yes, boss.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was close, and Naomi found herself storing it away like something worth keeping.
“Have fun,” he said, and walked back into the barn.
Serena leaned toward her as they headed to the truck. “Told you. Softie.”
“He told us to be back before dark,” Naomi said.
“Because there are a lot of dark roads. He’s being cautious.” Serena grinned. “Trust me.”
As Serena drove them to town, Naomi watched fields of green fly past the window. Old wooden barns stood in the distance, weathered and leaning, looking like a strong gust of wind could finish them off.