Chapter Five #3
Still, thoughts of how close she’d come to kissing Marshall filled her head. Along with a fresh wash of fantasies of what it would feel like to follow through on that impulse. And guilt about how she hadn’t been honest with him about her father.
As she moved into the barn, a chestnut horse let out a low whinny of acknowledgment, and the scent of clean hay greeted her.
She stared at the horse, who bobbed his head from side to side.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Marshall emerge from the tack room.
The first time she’d seen him in two days.
Her breath hitched in her throat, and her stomach did a flip. Lord, he was too handsome, so ruggedly appealing it wasn’t fair. Nugget barked a greeting, racing circles around Marshall’s feet before sprinting over to dive into a pile of hay.
Trailing her fingers down the stalls, she wrestled for professionalism. “How did your doctor visit go?”
He’d left her a note on the kitchen table about the appointment.
“My arm is healing on schedule. I may even get the cast off by Christmas Day. Although that feels mighty far away right now.” He looked down at the cast, frustration visible in his cheeks, a line of tension working from jaw to temple.
“That’s good. But you don’t look happy. What’s wrong?”
“I was hoping to get rid of the sling—” he lifted his arm slightly “—and go to a smaller cast.”
“I’m sorry.” She could see how much it bothered him.
Aggravation radiated from him in waves. He reached into his pocket, fishing out some sugar cubes. “It is what it is. There’s nothing I can do to change it.”
He moved toward one of the stalls, extending his palm flat to the same chestnut horse who whinnied earlier.
“You’re a good patient to realize that.”
The horse ate the sugar cube happily, licking his palm. “Being noncompliant will only make this last longer.” A dry smile played with his lips. “That doesn’t mean I can’t be grouchy about it.”
He was handsome—and charming.
And she was susceptible. “Grouch away.”
Stroking the chestnut’s neck, he seemed to lighten. Such a simple interaction. It was like seeing a whole new side to him. “I wouldn’t want to upset the horses.”
She found herself drawn by the mesmerizing way his hand glided along the horse’s chest. “They’re that in tune to your mood?”
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. He angled a steady look her way, his brown eyes so full of hidden depths. “How did your volunteering go this morning?”
His thoughtful question caught her unawares.
“It was quieter than normal.” She’d rocked a fragile preemie whose single mom had to get back to work. The morning had been especially filled with reminders of her own baby and how hard life could be.
She’d missed the distraction of having her friend to talk with. She found herself reaching to stroke the horse. The animal lowered his head, the powerful muscles moving.
Marshall stroked, his hand moving alongside hers. “Do you ride?”
“I’ve never had the opportunity. It’s an expensive sport.
” Even a quick survey of the barn showed it held more wealth than she knew what to do with.
Leather halters with golden engraved plates.
Leather lead lines. She could barely see into the tack room, but knew it held an array of saddles and bridles.
He nodded slowly. “True enough. But for me, it’s not a sport. It’s a way of life.”
“I can see that.”
He was at home here. That was obvious. Would it help her to understand him better if she shared something he enjoyed so much? The idea appealed more than it should.
Marshall tipped his head to the side. “How about you get on the horse since I can’t risk it?”
The notion sounded enticing, especially when she saw in his eyes how special that was to him. “But I don’t know how.”
“Lucky for you, I’m a good teacher.” He dipped his head to speak soothing words to the horse. “Come on, Silk. I have a pretty lady for you to meet.”
His voice and ease with the horse were mesmerizing. He slid a halter over the chestnut gelding and led him out of the stall. Clipping the horse to stall ties, he grabbed a basket filled with brushes.
Marshall’s smile widened as he pulled out each brush, explaining as he went along. Her stomach knotted in tension and excitement, over riding the horse, of course. Not because the man was suddenly standing so close to her she could barely breathe. Right.
Hoping he wouldn’t notice her nerves, she stroked Silk’s neck.
“I’m going to tell you the biggest secret to riding.” He winked. “Breathe. If you are calm, so are they. Riding is about constant communication between horse and rider. Blending your souls together.”
His passion was evident as he spoke, and that fire mesmerized her until she hung on his every word.
“This is the pommel of the saddle, which leads into the horn.” He pointed to the apex of the black-and-silver saddle. “When you’re up there, feel free to hold on to the horn. You’ll want to keep your weight centered. I’ll explain more when you’re settled in the saddle.”
Placing a turquoise-and-black woven saddle pad on Silk’s back, Marshall flashed her a grin. How did this man manage to turn her so inside out with a simple gesture?
He slung the bridle over his shoulder and adjusted the saddle pad. She reached to help him. Her fingers brushed his, igniting a spark inside her.
Marshall heaved the saddle onto the horse’s back and adjusted the girth, his muscles flexing as he managed it one-handed.
In a quick movement, he’d shucked the halter to the side, slid the bit into the horse’s mouth and fitted the bridle.
Nodding his head, a thick lock fell over his head, the hint of curl in his hair from the snow calling to her fingers.
She’d made a big mistake coming here, into his world, and thinking she could be unaffected. Thank goodness it was time to head outside, where the breeze could tease away the earthy scent of him.
Tally rushed out ahead of him, waiting, drawing in a couple of steadying breaths of icy air.
Stopping the horse, Marshall motioned for her to come over. “I’ll help you up.”
“I can do it.” Her voice sounded foreign to her own ears, nerves getting to her. Besides, she wasn’t sure her defenses could withstand the helpful touching that might be involved if he assisted her.
“I’ll stand by. Just in case.”
She nodded, hand going up to the horn. All she had to do was pull herself up. How hard could it be? She attempted to put her foot in the stirrup. With a great heave, she tried to hoist herself into the saddle.
Instead of forward momentum, she lurched backward toward the ground. But rather than crashing into snow-covered earth, she slid back into a hard-planed chest, turning in his arms.
Her breath hitched, and she could see he’d heard. His pupils widened an instant before his eyes narrowed. His arm banded around her, drawing her closer, and she couldn’t find the words or will to stop this. It was just a kiss.
Just...one...kiss... Then so much more.
His mouth skimmed over hers, once, twice, sending a pulse of desire through her. The mere touch of his lips to hers had her melting against him, her hands twisting in the fabric of his shirt. He slid his wrist from the sling and wrapped both arms around her, pressing to the small of her back.
The hard-muscled wall of his chest was a wide expanse she ached to explore.
Her fingers splayed wider, skimming under the leather vest he wore but over the flannel shirt.
She looped her arms around his neck. It had been so long since she’d been with a man.
But even that didn’t explain the depth of her longing to be with this man.
He was so strong and thoughtful. But also mysterious in a way that intrigued her. Too much.
What was she thinking to kiss him this way? To lose sight of everything she’d come here to accomplish?
Regret stinging, she eased back, struggling for words to explain why this shouldn’t have happened. Of course, she couldn’t share those reasons, none of which should be spoken. The secrets she hid would only hurt him.
So she simply held up her hands and backed away from the greatest temptation of her life.