Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
ANTON
As soon as I step into Thora’s house, I know she isn’t here.
She never is at this hour, off at work tending to those animals she loves so much. Some days, she doesn’t come here at all. I’ve only seen her sleep here once. Which makes me wonder…
Does her family even know about this place? Is the good girl being a little naughty, keeping something from them?
My finger drifts over a photo of her with her siblings, sitting on a console table in the foyer.
She looks happy, smiling for the camera in cutoff jean shorts that show off her tanned legs and a crop top revealing just enough skin to drag my mind straight into the gutter.
I want to push the fabric higher, touch what’s underneath, and find out if she’d like it.
My body tenses.
Fuck that. What the hell am I doing? This is research. That’s all.
There’s a new stack of mail at the edge of the table, left in complete disarray, and I flip through it to see if there’s anything worth noting. There isn’t. Bills, advertisements, nothing that tells me anything I don’t already know.
When I put it back, I straighten it first, like a small gift from me to her.
I move into the kitchen and open the fridge, finding that same godawful green juice she likes to drink.
What is even in that? All I know is it smells like shit.
There’s nothing else in here except a couple of glass bowls with chicken and rice.
I wonder if she plans to come here after work or head back to the farm. I guess I’ll find out.
I head down the hall and take the stairs, making my way toward the open door at the end. Her bed comes into view first: a blue floral comforter spread across the mattress. The second I step inside, her scent hits me again. The same one from the day she infected my dog, who still hasn’t recovered.
I should pay her back for that. Only fair.
Without thinking, I lift the pillow and bring it to my face before closing my eyes.
Blyat…that scent. She smells good, I’ll give her that.
I lower the pillow, but something catches against my fingers as I let go. A thin strand of dark hair lies across my palm, and I stand there staring at it before stuffing it into my pocket. Maybe there’s some useful DNA on it.
I cross toward her dresser, opening drawers and observing her neatly folded clothes. It would be easy to take something—maybe a pair of panties she wouldn’t miss—and I actually consider it.
Then I shut the drawer. Don’t need it. I have her hair. That’s psychotic enough.
I go back downstairs, knowing full well I’ll probably be back even when I don’t have much of a reason to come anymore. I’ve been here twice already: once to install the cameras, and again to make sure I didn’t miss anything the first time I went through her things.
So why the hell am I here again?
THORA
“It’s okay, girl.”
The mare tosses her head and threatens with a hind leg.
I ease back, holding my hand out. “I’m not here to hurt you, beautiful. I just want to help you, okay?”
Poor thing came in yesterday with ligament damage and pain through her back. I got her treatment plan in place and gave her a little time to settle, and now it’s just a matter of patience. Because sometimes that’s all we need.
It takes time to earn their trust sometimes. Some of them come really broken and scared from owners who mistreated them. Looking at her now, I’d bet that’s exactly what happened here.
When I approach again, she doesn’t lash out. She only watches me with those wide, uneasy eyes as I skim my fingers over her muzzle. Her body remains rigid beneath my touch, but as I continue speaking in a soft, soothing tone, the tension gradually eases from her.
“That’s a good girl.” I stroke her again, a little closer now, using my whole hand and letting her get used to me one touch at a time. “I know you’re hurting, baby, but I’m going to get you comfortable again. You’ll see.”
Once she’s calm, she swishes her black tail and rubs her muzzle deeper into my touch.
“I’ve got you, Cider.”
I press my cheek to hers and sigh. This is home, right here.
I kiss the soft part of her face, then reach for the ice boot. “I’m going to wrap this around your leg, okay? It won’t hurt. It’s just cold.”
When she stays relaxed, I carefully drape it around her leg, taking my time. Once the Velcro is secure, I step back and give her a second before doing the other one. But just as I reach for it, she lets out a small whinny and stomps.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I stroke her neck.
When she presses her face into me, I hear a noise behind me. I turn and find Charlie, one of our ranch hands, standing just inside the stall, hanging back.
“Hey. I didn’t hear you.”
He rocks back on his heels. “Sorry, Miss Thora. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s okay.” I glance back at Cider as she tosses her head again, her back leg twitching under the strain. “Actually…you can help me if you want.”
He’s only been here four months, and I know he could use the practice.
His eyes lift in surprise, like he didn’t expect that. “Yeah. Of course.”
“Come on in. Just stay near her shoulder and don’t startle her with sudden movements.”
He nods a little too quickly and edges forward, every movement stiff with uncertainty.
“Hey, girl.” He gradually reaches for her.
Cider pins her ears, every muscle coiling as she tosses her head and stomps a warning hoof. Charlie freezes.
“I…uh…” His arm drops to his side.
“Don’t take it personally.” I settle my palm against Cider’s neck and thread my fingers through her mane. “She’s hurting.”
He gives a nod, looking almost defeated. “I get it.”
Leaning close, I murmur to her until the tension gradually eases from her body. “Easy, girl. I know. We’re only trying to help you.”
Her breathing calms, and she nudges her nose into my palm.
“She tore ligaments in both hind legs, so we need to keep them cold as much as possible. I already took care of this one.” I tap the wrapped leg. “I need you to do the other.”
His brows rise. “Me?”
“You’ll be fine.” I reach for the second ice boot and give it to him. “Just like this. Wrap it snug, not tight, and don’t rush her.”
He takes it, practically vibrating with nerves. Cider grows restless again when he moves behind her, her tail swishing and one hoof striking the ground.
I step closer to her head, pressing my palm to her cheek to get her to relax. “Hey…stay with me. You’re okay, girl.”
Charlie crouches, his movements more thoughtful now as he starts to pay attention to every reaction in her body.
“Like this?” He starts to wrap it.
“Yeah. That’s good. Just keep it even.”
She flinches once, and he goes still for half a second before he continues. When he finishes, he presses down the Velcro and straightens, brushing his palms against his jeans.
“Did I do good?”
I nod. “Yeah. Really good.”
His shoulders ease, and a shy smile appears. “Thanks, Thora.”
An awkward silence follows before he clears his throat and scratches at his temple.
“I was, uh, gonna grab lunch in a bit. If you’re not busy or anything, I mean…you could come with me. If you want to, of course.” A strained laugh leaves him. “No pressure.”
I freeze.
Damn it. I was afraid of this.
“I can’t today. I’m sorry. I’ve got to go meet someone after I remove her boots in about thirty.”
He nods, shifting uncomfortably. “Oh. Yeah, that’s fine.”
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t disappoint you.”
My God, I’m going to hell. He’s a good guy. Sweet in that quiet, kind way. But I’m not into him at all. And on top of that, he works for my father, which means there’s absolutely no way I’d ever date him.
“Of course not.” He shakes his head. “I’ll see you around, Miss Thora. Let me know if you need any help with the horses later today.”
“Yeah, I will for sure.” My touch remains on Cider’s neck as she leans into me. “I’ll see you.”
As he heads off, he glances back over his shoulder with another shy smile. I call out a final goodbye, hoping I didn’t just make things weird between us.
“Men, right?” I whisper to Cider. “I can’t seem to find the right one. They’re either crazy or I’m just not into them. Why is it so hard to find someone nice?”
The horse gives a little neigh like she understands exactly what I mean. Honestly, I’m pretty sure she does.
I keep my palm on her neck, fingers moving through her mane. “Me and you, we’re going to be great friends. By the time I’m through with you, you’ll probably be sick of me.”
She presses into me again.
“Yeah, I like you too.” I give her another kiss just as the sound of boots carries from behind me, and I don’t turn right away because I already know who it is.
“How’s she doing?”
My oldest brother, Jace, leans against the stall door when I glance over, arms folded, his blue eyes assessing Cider.
“Better than yesterday.”
She turns her head a little like she’s offended, and I laugh before going on.
“She’s still guarding that back leg, but she let me wrap both, so I’ll take that as a win.”
His gaze drifts back to her. “That’s already more than anyone else has gotten out of her.”
I shrug, my palm stroking along her neck. “You just have to understand them.”
Something almost like a smile pulls at his mouth. “No one understands these animals like you do.”
Before I can respond, there’s a small blur at his side.
“Hi, Auntie Thora!”
His six-year-old daughter, Rue, pops out from behind his leg, curls bouncing everywhere, those bright blue eyes locked on me.
“Hey, baby.”
She gives the mare a quick once-over before turning back to me. “Is that the new horse?”
“Yep. Isn’t she pretty?”
Rue grins. “Yeah! Can I help you feed the sheep later?”
“Of course you can.”
Her whole face lights up. “Yay!”
My attention bounces from my niece back to my big brother. “When are you flying back home?”
“Tomorrow. Got some business I need to take care of.”
I nod, knowing it’s the kind of business they always keep from me. It used to feel strange being the only one left out of all the shady shit this family does, but I guess I’m used to it now.
“I don’t want to go,” Rue says, the excitement from a second ago slipping into a pout as she looks up at him.
“Why not?” he asks. “Gran and Grandpa want to see you.”
She glares, her arms crossing over her chest in that stubborn little way she’s perfected. “They saw me last week.”
“But they’re your grandparents, and they love you and wanna see you all the time,” I add. “’Cause you’re sweet as pie.”
Rue narrows her crystal blues, considering it, before her shoulders lift in a tiny shrug. “Okay…I guess you’re right. And I do miss Skittles.”
This girl loves her horses. She’s got one here called Snickers, and Skittles back home in Texas.
As I get to my feet, she steps right up to me and wraps her arms around my middle.
I hold her close, my eyes drifting shut. “I’ll see you later, yeah? And you make sure you’re a good girl for Daddy.”
“I’m always a good girl.” She flips her hair back and gives me a little eye roll, and my poor brother groans.
I have to give him credit. Raising a daughter by yourself isn’t easy. Rue’s mom died when she was just a baby. She was on her way to get diapers and never made it home. Breaks my heart for them every day. Life isn’t fair sometimes.
Rue grabs her daddy’s hand and tips her face up to me. “Don’t forget about the sheep, Auntie Thora.”
“I won’t forget. Promise.”
“Don’t let her boss you around too much,” Jace says, glancing down at his daughter.
“Who, me?” She gives this innocent little jerk of her head toward her shoulder.
“That’s right, you. Troublemaker.”
She huffs, throwing a palm across her chest. “Now I’ll be—”
“I swear, I’m going to get grays one of these days.” He pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Well, you’re forty, so it’s coming soon, big bro,” I remind him.
“Don’t say that shit to me. I’m not ready.”
Rue clicks her tongue. “You owe me a dollar for my swear jar.”
A resigned sigh leaves him. “You’re right, baby.”
Her grin turns triumphant as they start to go.
“I’ll see you two later.”
Rue skips away beside him, and the instant they’re gone, Cider bumps me with her muzzle.
“Yeah, yeah.” I laugh and slide my fingers through her mane. “I didn’t forget about you.”