Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
THREE MONTHS LATER
TEAGAN
Teagan McKenna stepped onto the sidewalk and breathed deeply. The air was fresh and clean and welcome after ten hours on a bus.
The small Kentucky town was picturesque, nestled among rolling green hills off the beaten path.
She’d grown up in one very similar, though with forested mountains instead of hills.
There was one main street dotted on each side with old houses and family-owned local businesses, including a diner.
The delicious scent of grilled beef hit her nostrils and made her stomach growl in demand.
Reaching into her front pocket, she palmed the carefully folded ones, fives, and the last of her tens.
Her cash was running dangerously low, but she needed to eat.
She had a long walk ahead of her if she wanted to get to the ranch before nightfall.
Passing out on the side of the road wasn’t an option.
“Sit anywhere you’d like, hon,” the server called out from behind the register, where she was ringing up a customer. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Teagan chose an empty booth near the back, one that gave her a good view of the diner and the street outside, and was close to the emergency exit. She didn’t think she’d been followed, but she’d been wrong before.
True to her word, the server was there a minute later with a steaming carafe of coffee and a laminated eight-by-ten sheet of daily specials.
Teagan scanned the items and picked the cheapest—half an egg salad sandwich and a cup of soup.
Once she had more money in her pocket, she’d come back for the bacon double cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake she really wanted.
“Do you mind if I hold on to this?” Teagan asked when the server tried to take back the specials menu. “In case I want dessert later?”
“Sure,” the server agreed and went off, calling out the order to the guy in the kitchen.
Teagan had no intention of ordering dessert, but the menu did provide cover. With her ball cap pulled down low, she discreetly scanned the dining area over the top of the menu.
She saw nothing worrisome. The diner was only half full, and nearly everyone was dressed like she was—in jeans, cotton, and flannel. More importantly, other than a momentary, curious glance in her direction, no one seemed particularly interested in her.
Which was exactly the way she liked it.
She ate her soup and sandwich quickly and quietly. The diner seemed safe enough, but why tempt fate? The less time she spent in public places, the better.
After paying her bill and leaving as much of a tip as she could afford, her pockets were noticeably lighter. Teagan stepped outside, looked up at the sun’s position in the sky, then began her trek northwest.
Luck appeared to be with her; the weather was perfect for walking. The sky was overcast, no hot sun or rain beating down on her. The temperature was hovering in the high 40s, which was unusual, considering they weren’t that far away from Christmas.
She stayed close to the road, but not on it, moving to cover whenever possible when the occasional vehicle came by.
As much as she would appreciate a ride, she wanted to remain as invisible as possible—for her sake and for theirs.
She already had enough guilt on her shoulders to last several lifetimes. She had no desire to add more.
To distract herself from the monotony of walking, she focused on her plan, which was iffy at best. Online, Hopewell Ranch looked and sounded idyllic and checked all her boxes—small, privately owned, and off the beaten path. The most desirable aspect was getting to work with horses.
In fact, it almost sounded too good to be true.
Nevertheless, there she was, about to appear on the doorstep and hope that the vague inquiries she’d made through the online contact form would get her a job and a place to stay through the coldest part of the winter.
Eventually, she saw the simple but well-made sign for Hopewell Ranch and paused.
Was showing up uninvited a risk? Sure, but a calculated one.
She was counting on the fact that it was harder to say no to someone’s face than over an email, especially around this time of year.
Decent people tended to embrace the holiday spirit.
Readjusting her backpack, she straightened her shoulders and continued forward.
Her tired, aching feet carried her down the long lane; along sturdy, weathered fencing; and through scenic rolling hills that remained a vibrant green.
The sound of soft whinnies carrying on the breeze was like music to her scarred soul, as were the deepening scents of sweet hay and damp earth.
When she crested the final hill, she saw it. A sprawling ranch house sat in a shallow valley, surrounded by outbuildings and paddocks, where half a dozen horses grazed peacefully. At the far end, the edge of a forest stretched out of sight.
Teagan paused for a moment to take it all in.
She’d made it. Now all she had to do was convince the owner to give her a chance.
As Teagan neared the paddock, she noticed another horse, a huge stallion, standing off by itself. Unlike the others, he wasn’t grazing. He was watching her, tense and alert.
She moved closer, her steps slow and quiet, until she reached the fence. The horse flicked his ears and pawed the ground but remained where he was.
“You are a big one, aren’t you?” she said softly. “Big and beautiful. But wary. Trust me, I get it. No judgment here.”
Teagan removed her pack with deliberate, careful movements. Setting it down on the ground, she reached inside and pulled out her last juicy apple, then eased herself onto the top rail of the fence.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just going to sit here and eat my apple. You can come say hi if you want. No pressure.”
The horse went still and huffed softly. Teagan broke direct eye contact and looked at the others, who were now also watching her with mild curiosity. She bit into the apple, the satisfying crunch clearly audible in the near silence.
The stallion lifted his head and flared his nostrils, as if scenting the air. Then he took a small, cautious step forward. Teagan watched him in her peripheral vision, calm and relaxed on the outside, but ready to bolt if necessary.
Eventually, the horse stood right in front of her. When she didn’t acknowledge him, he nudged her shoulder.
“Well, hello, beautiful boy,” she murmured. “Do you like apples?”
Teagan took another bite, then slowly extended her hand, palm flat, fingers straight. She smiled as the stallion’s velvety lips brushed her skin, gently accepting the gift.
He finished off the treat quickly, then nudged her for more.
She laughed. “Sorry, big guy. That’s all I have on me right now. But put in a good word for me, and I promise I’ll buy more with my first paycheck.”
“You have a gift. Onyx doesn’t let anyone near him.”
Teagan’s heart all but stopped at the sound of the female voice, but she remained outwardly calm, unwilling to spook her new friend.
“He doesn’t trust easily.”
“No,” the woman agreed, drawing closer—but not too close. “He’s a work in progress. I picked him up at auction a couple of weeks back. I don’t think his previous owner treated him very well. I’m Mona, by the way.”
Teagan recognized the name. Mona was Mona Baker, owner of Hopewell Ranch, according to Teagan’s research.
“T,” Teagan replied.
“T,” Mona echoed. “The same T who applied for a job through the website?”
Teagan nodded. “Yep, that’s me.”
“Did someone get back to you?”
“No.”
“And yet here you are,” Mona said, not unkindly. “We’re a therapeutic ranch. Do you know anything about hippotherapy?”
“No, I don’t,” Teagan answered honestly. “But I do know horses.”
“Got a way with them too, apparently.” Mona’s gaze flicked to Onyx, who remained almost protectively close to Teagan and was watching the exchange with interest.
“Look, I’ll be honest. I need the work,” Teagan said quietly. “I’ll do anything—feeding, watering, mucking stalls, grooming. Just give me a chance. Please.”
Mona regarded her for so long Teagan was certain the woman was going to send her on her way. Then the older woman nodded. “All right. If Onyx trusts you, then I suppose I can too. We’ll give it a month. I’m shorthanded with the holidays coming up.”
Relief coursed through Teagan. She knew better than anyone how precious a gift trust could be. “Thank you.”
“Come on up to the house, and we’ll do some paperwork.”
Inwardly, Teagan cringed. Paperwork was tricky. It required information, ID, and left a trail.
“Since it’s just a trial and all, maybe we can skip the paperwork for now and save some trees?” Teagan asked hopefully.
Mona’s eyes narrowed. “Are you in some kind of trouble, T?”
Teagan realized she’d have to give Mona something. It was only fair. “I just need to stay off the radar for a while. I promise, I’m not mixed up in anything illegal.”
As if tossing in his opinion, Onyx huffed softly and nudged Teagan again.
Mona exhaled. “All right. One condition.”
“I’m listening.”
“I don’t like being blindsided. If trouble does find its way here, I want a heads-up before I get bitten on the backside.”
“Fair enough,” Teagan agreed, hoping it wouldn’t come to that.