Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Cade hadn’t known what to expect from Rida’s handler. He’d never bought a horse before that he hadn’t simply gone and picked up. Beth was competent, professional and obviously knew her way around horses. He would simply have to pretend she wasn’t a stunning, curvy, blue-eyed blonde.
Close to six thirty he carried the back patio table and two chairs to the barn, then brought dinner, along with flatware, plates, glasses and napkins. When everything was set up, he walked to the last stall on the right.
Rida and Beth were in the paddock outside Rida’s stall.
She sat on the fence, the horse standing close to her.
There was a young marmalade barn cat perched on a fence post nearby.
Beth was speaking to Rida in a low voice, but Cade couldn’t make out her words.
They were a contrast in sizes, but looked perfectly comfortable together.
He cleared his throat to get their attention. Beth turned and smiled.
“Hi. We were discussing the weather.”
Her smile hit him like a kick in the gut. Not good , he told himself. Not good at all.
“I have dinner ready, if you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving.” She jumped down and petted Rida. “I’ll be close by. If you need me, just give a shout.”
“Does he answer?” Cade asked, holding the stall door open for her.
“Sometimes.”
They walked to the middle of the barn. Beth shook her head. “This is very nice, thank you.” She studied the set table, the bowl with salad and the hot chicken and pasta casserole. “Should I be impressed with your cooking skills?”
“Not based on this. I have a housekeeper who comes in two days a week. She cleans, does laundry and leaves things like this in the freezer. A housekeeper comes with the job.”
Beth excused herself to wash her hands. Cade poured iced tea for both of them, then waited until she returned to take his seat.
“How long have you worked here?” she asked as she served herself salad.
“I moved back to Happily Inc a few months ago.” He took the salad bowl she passed him. “My grandfather owns the ranch. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. He taught me to ride and by the time I was six, I knew I wanted to be a cowboy.”
She smiled. “It’s nice to have direction. You never strayed from your original goal?”
“Nope. I didn’t even have a firefighter phase.
” He thought about his past. “My family has lived in the area for a few generations. Grandpa Frank also owns the biggest bank in town. It’s the family business.
My mom wanted me to go to work with her, but that was never going to happen.
My grandfather had made it clear I wasn’t going to get a job on the ranch just because I was his grandson, so when I was eighteen, I left home to learn the trade. ”
He glanced at her. “You sure you want to hear this?”
“Yes. I love origination stories. Where did you go?”
“Kentucky.”
She sighed. “I’ve been a couple of times with my, ah, some friends. It’s beautiful.”
“It is and it’s horse country. I started out doing the dirty work and learned everything I could. After a few years, I moved to a ranch in Texas.”
What he didn’t bother sharing was the reason for his move. Not only was it private, it was humiliating. He’d been played by a woman in Kentucky—he’d learned his lesson and had vowed never to repeat it.
“You met the king in Texas, didn’t you?” she asked.
“Yes. I was invited to a dinner he attended. I have no idea why I was allowed to tag along, but it was a great experience. We ended up debating horses and when I heard about Rida I took a chance on him remembering me.”
She studied him for a second before looking away. “I’m glad it worked out.”
“Me, too. Rida’s amazing.”
“He is. When will you have him checked out by your vet?”
“Tomorrow, then again in a couple of weeks.” He picked up his water glass. “How did you come to work in the royal stables of El Bahar?”
Her blue eyes danced with amusement. “It is unexpected, isn’t it?
My parents divorced when I was little. My dad was into car racing, a lot more than he was into paying his child support, so money was tight for my mom.
She was a teacher and found out about a job at the American School in El Bahar.
The pay was generous and an apartment was provided, so five years there would have given her enough for a down payment on a house and a good start on a college fund. ”
She leaned toward him, her thick blond braid falling over her shoulder. “She met someone and fell madly in love. We were living, um, close to the royal stables, so I started taking riding lessons. I never outgrew my love of horses and when I was old enough, I got a job there.”
Her smile faded. “I love what I do, but it’s hard when I have to give up one of my babies. I was there when Rida was born and I’m going to miss him.”
“Trying to make me feel guilty?” he asked.
She laughed. “Maybe a little. Is it working?”
“Sorry, no. He’s going to put our little ranch on the map. I have big plans for him. All good, I promise.”
Her gaze locked with his. He felt something pass between them, although he couldn’t say what it was. The beginning of trust, maybe? Or something more?
Not more , he told himself firmly. He didn’t want more. Rida was plenty. Beth’s appeal was not part of his plan.
***
Rida settled in much more quickly than Bethany would have expected. He started eating right away and seemed to like spending his day out in the sun. He’d even made friends with the small marmalade barn cat.
“You won’t miss me at all,” Bethany complained as she trotted him in a circle in the exercise ring. “You’ll forget me as soon as I’m gone.”
Rida looked at her, his expression both chiding and intelligent, as if pointing out he would miss her, but he knew that he had to be here now.
“You’re trying to act like the mature one in the relationship,” she complained. “How do you think that makes me feel?”
Rida tossed his head, snorted and continued his morning exercise. Tomorrow she would ride him, but for today this was enough.
Thirty minutes later, she walked him back to the barn for his grooming session. She’d just secured him when she heard a woman calling, “Hello? Is it all right to come into the barn?”
Bethany waited for someone else to answer. When no one did, she said, “It’s okay with me, if that’s what you’re asking.”
A pretty brown-haired woman who looked oddly familiar walked over and smiled. “Hi. You must be Beth. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Pallas Saunders, Cade’s sister.”
“Hello.”
Pallas eyed Rida warily. “Wow. He’s really handsome. And big.” She kept her distance. “Doesn’t he scare you?”
“No. He’s a good guy.”
Pallas didn’t seem convinced. “If you say so.” She looked back at Bethany. “I wanted to meet you and see how you’re settling in. You really came all the way from El Bahar to get your horse settled? Is he afraid to fly?”
Bethany laughed. “He did really well.” She rubbed Rida’s neck. “He’s special. Horses of his caliber rarely get sold. My job is to make sure he’s going to be comfortable here and well cared for. Once he’s acclimated, I’ll head home.”
“To El Bahar?”
Bethany nodded.
“Wow. I’ve barely traveled,” Pallas admitted.
“It sounds so exotic. I’ve never been a horse person but Cade has been crazy about them his whole life.
We’re twins. Fraternal, obviously. Is he making you feel at home?
Oh, do you like the room? He asked me to help with a few touches. I hope you’re okay with them.”
Bethany had no idea what she was talking about.
What room—“Oh, the bedroom in the house.” She tried to remember what it looked like.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been sleeping in the barn.
I’ve only run inside to use the shower. But I’m sure it’s lovely and very comfortable,” she added, feeling awkward.
One would think being a princess would help her be less of a dweeb socially, but one would be wrong.
Pallas’s hazel eyes widened. “You’re sleeping in the barn?”
“To keep Rida comfortable. Just the first couple of nights.”
“In the barn. On the hay.”
Bethany did her best not to laugh. “Technically people put straw in stalls. Hay is what horses eat. Here, Cade uses bedding pellets. It’s a wood product that produces less dust and is easier to maintain. But you’re probably not concerned about that.”
Pallas started laughing and Bethany joined in.
“Now I know where the old saying ‘hay is for horses’ comes from,” Pallas said, shaking her head. “All right, this hasn’t gone like I expected. Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Pallas, Cade’s sister. I know nothing about horses. It’s nice to meet you.”
Bethany grinned. “Now you know a little something about horses. You should spring it on Cade the next time you see him. He’ll be shocked.”
“Good idea.”
“I have three younger brothers. I get the dynamic and the importance of always having the upper hand.” That was even more critical in her family what with the oldest of her younger brothers being the Crown Prince, a title he loved to flaunt.
“How long have you lived in El Bahar?” Pallas asked.
“We moved there when I was nine, but I was born in Riverside, so I’m right at home here.”
“Good. Want to come to Thanksgiving with Cade and me?”
The invitation was unexpected. While the holiday wasn’t a big deal in El Bahar and could occasionally be forgotten, it was still part of her life. Spending it by herself would be lonely. Rida wasn’t much for celebrating with turkey and dressing.
“Before you answer,” Pallas said, “I should warn you. We have a huge family. My grandfather had seven daughters and they all come home for the holiday. Cade and I have over a dozen cousins. There’s no telling who will show up or what will happen.
It’s loud and crazy with plenty of drama, but the food’s good and you could sit by me. I’d protect you from the worst of it.”
Her words made Bethany miss her own family. “I’d love to if you’re sure it’s all right.”