Chapter Three #3
He folded his arms on the top rail and watched.
After a moment she looked over and smiled at him.
He sighed.
He never got involved with employees. In all the years of running this ranch, he’d never once crossed that line. He wasn’t about to start now. He just needed to remember that.
****
As Naomi rode Vader through the pattern she kept her eyes forward like she was supposed to, which would have been easier if Ethan wasn’t standing at the rail, watching.
He was her boss. She needed to remember that.
She was walking Vader around the third barrel when the arena door opened and a woman with black hair stepped inside. Pretty, confident, moving like she knew exactly where she was going.
Naomi watched her smile when she spotted Ethan. Watched him smile back.
Of course.
“You knew he had to have someone,” she muttered, more to Vader than to herself. “So why are you surprised?”
She kept her eyes on the woman as she rode the pattern, jaw tight, and when Ethan opened his arms and hugged her Naomi looked away and focused very hard on the second barrel.
She had no right to feel this way. He didn’t owe her an explanation about his personal life. She was his employee. Nothing more.
She glanced back at them anyway. They looked comfortable together, easy, like people did when they’d known each other a while. And the woman was beautiful on top of it all.
Naomi nudged Vader toward the fence.
It was only when she got closer that she saw it. A diamond ring on the woman’s left hand, catching the light.
Her heart dropped straight to her stomach.
The woman turned and smiled at her and Naomi wanted to find something to dislike about it. She couldn’t. It was warm and open and completely genuine.
She smiled back despite herself.
“Hi,” the woman said.
“Hello.”
“I’m Ryan Carroll. This man’s future sister-in-law.” She slipped her arm through Ethan’s.
Naomi felt the relief move through her like warm water. “Hi, Ryan. I’m Naomi Austin. Congratulations on the engagement. When’s the wedding?”
“This coming weekend.” Ryan glanced at Ethan. “And this one has the very important job of making sure Seth actually makes it to the church.”
Ethan grinned. “He’ll be there.”
“He’d better be.” Ryan laughed, then turned back to Naomi. “How are you liking it here so far?”
“I love it. The ranch, the town.” Naomi shook her head. “I can already tell I’m not going anywhere.”
“Have you had a chance to explore much?”
“Serena took me into Clifton my first weekend. I fell in love with every shop on Main Street.”
Ryan’s face lit up. “Have you been to Festive Finds yet?”
“That was my favorite stop.”
“Mallory and I are good friends. Best fudge in the state.” Ryan smiled. “Are you from Montana originally?”
“Kalispell. What about you?”
“California.” Ryan’s expression went a little soft as she talked about something that had changed their life. “I came out here on assignment for Western Living magazine. I was doing a piece on Beckett Feed, needed photos of Seth’s barley fields.” She shrugged, smiling. “We fell in love.”
“That’s a wonderful story.” Naomi meant it.
“I think so. My best friend Skylar moved here too and found the love of her life.” Ryan shook her head, smiling. “Clifton has a way of doing that to people.”
“Someone else mentioned that.” Naomi glanced at Ethan. “Are you the best man?”
“I am.”
“You’re not the oldest, though.”
“Seth stood up for Cole when he got married. I’ll be there for Seth.” Ethan shrugged. “And Cole will stand up for me, if I ever get around to it.”
“Some lucky woman is going to snatch you up sooner than you think,” Ryan said, then turned to him with a pointed look. “Which reminds me. Pick up your suit, Ethan. The shop called Seth yesterday.”
Ethan groaned making Naomi and Ryan both laughed.
“I hate suits.”
“Every man I’ve ever met hates suits. Pick it up anyway.” Ryan kissed him on the cheek, then gave Naomi a warm smile. “It was so nice to meet you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot of you.”
“You too. Congratulations again.”
“I’d love for you to come to the reception,” Ryan said, turning to Naomi like it was the most natural thing in the world. “It’s at Dewey’s, the cowboy bar in town. The whole town will be there practically.”
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude—”
“You’re not intruding. Serena and Johnny are both coming.” Ryan waved a hand. “The more the merrier. Say you’ll come.”
Naomi glanced at Ethan. He was looking at the fence.
“Alright,” she said. “I’d love to. Thank you, Ryan.”
“Perfect.” Ryan looked genuinely pleased. “It’ll give you a chance to meet everyone properly. Fair warning though, this town loves a party and Dewey’s has the best band in the area.”
Ryan waved and headed for the door, and just like that the arena felt bigger and quieter than it had a minute ago.
Naomi looked at Ethan.
He was already looking at her.
They both looked away at the same time.
“I should get Vader cooled down,” she said.
“Right.” He pushed off the rail. “Good session this morning.”
She nodded and turned the horse back toward the center of the arena before he could see her smile.