Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
NOAH
Noah stared out of the office window, absently watching the new stablehand lead the huge stallion around one of the several fenced-in courses. The kid had only been around for a couple of weeks, but he seemed to know what he was doing.
Mona had mentioned that she’d taken on a new hire to care for the horses but hadn’t offered up any additional information. The only time he’d even glimpsed the kid was during moments like this—at the end of the day and from far away. The rest of the time, the handler remained scarce.
Noah figured there was a story there. If he’d learned anything about Mona over the past few months, it was that she was the protective type, like a mama bear.
He looked again at the kid’s small stature, which looked even smaller against the massive beast. From this distance and in the fading light, it was hard to make out the details beneath the baseball-style cap tucked down low; the oversize flannel shirt; baggy, straight-legged Wranglers; and standard-issue shitkickers.
He was too scrawny to be out of his teens, but he moved with a fluidity rarely seen in one so young.
“How old is that kid anyway?” he asked, sensing Mona coming into the office behind him.
Mona joined him at the window and followed his gaze. Moments later, the kid mounted the horse with a graceful leap while it was in motion, just like in some old Western.
“Old enough,” the woman replied cryptically. “I take it you two haven’t met?”
Noah shook his head. “No. I’ve tried to introduce myself a few times, but he always seems to disappear before I can get close enough.”
“T’s the shy, quiet type,” Mona said. “Not too keen on meeting new folk. Best damn worker I’ve had in a long time, though.”
“Pretty good with the horses, too, it looks like,” Noah observed as yet another horse was led toward the stables.
His family had always had horses, so he was familiar enough with them to know they weren’t always the friendliest or most accommodating creatures.
“Yep.”
Noah continued to watch the show as dusk settled more firmly. It was less than a week away from Christmas, though the weather was unseasonably warm, with a chill more suited to early autumn than winter.
Returning to her desk, Mona busied herself with filing papers and tidying up. She traditionally closed the ranch for several weeks around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Her sons and their families were coming for an extended visit, and she was anxious to start on her baking.
Mona was like his mother in that respect. Everyone in his family converged on his parents’ home for Christmas too, and knowing his mother, she’d already been baking for days.
Which reminded him—he’d be heading northeast soon as well. He wasn’t looking forward to the trip. He’d be staying in one of the cabins on the family property, but he’d still be expected to interact and participate in family dinners and assorted holiday whatevers.
He wondered vaguely if the new kid would be sticking around. It wasn’t like the horses took a holiday. Someone needed to see to their care and feeding.
“When are you leaving?” Mona asked, closing the last drawer of the filing cabinet with finality.
“Tomorrow, I think,” he said distractedly. “It’s about a twelve-hour drive straight through, and I want to get there before the cookies are gone.”
Mona laughed. “How many of you are there?”
“Ten, including me,” he said, grinning. “That’s not counting in-laws and grandkids.”
“Your mother always said she wanted a proper brood,” Mona said with obvious affection.
“We are that,” Noah admitted, a slight smile curving his lips. A pang went through his chest, knowing that his decision not to return home and settle down was a disappointment. But it was also necessary.
“Your mama loves you,” Mona said softly, as if she’d read his mind, and he had a flashback to that odd woman at the Atlanta airport.
“I know she does.”
“Well, come on then,” Mona said. “I’ll close up the office. You go on and get packed.”
“I will,” Noah murmured, his eyes already back on the performance outside when he saw a marked vehicle driving slowly down the lane. “Are you expecting the sheriff tonight, Mona?”
Mona was back at the window in a second, her warm smile replaced by concern as her shoulders tightened and her eyes narrowed. Sheriff Jackson’s cruiser circled around the back of the barn, out of sight. When it didn’t reappear on the other side, a soft curse crossed the older woman’s lips.
Noah’s gaze snapped to her. Since coming out to the ranch, he hadn’t heard anything crosser than dang pass her lips.
His gut clenched, his honed senses instantly on alert. Mona was one of the toughest, most capable women he knew, yet he saw only fear and worry in her eyes.
“What’s going on, Mona?”
“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, we can’t let Bill take T away. We just can’t.”
With that, Mona was out the door. Noah was right behind her.