Page 10 of Ethan

“I know. We’re getting there.”

Ethan took the reins and walked him through the pattern on foot, feeling for the hesitation, the subtle lean that threw off the approach. It was there, just like she’d said.

He handed the reins back to Johnny. “Try shortening your approach. Give him less room to anticipate the turn.”

Johnny nodded, swung back up into the saddle, and put Roscoe through the pattern. Better. Not perfect, but better.

He pulled up and dismounted again.

“She seems nice,” he said, not looking at Ethan.

“She’s an employee.” Ethan ducked between the fence rails and walked back toward the barn. “That’s all she is.”

Johnny said nothing. But he was smiling when Ethan glanced back.

****

This was exactly when Naomi wished she had her horse. The property begged to be explored on horseback, and she found herself walking the trail along the east fence line wishing Jewel was beneath her. She missed her more than she’d expected. Soon, she told herself. Soon.

The trail followed the fence line east, winding through tall grass that brushed her boots as she walked. The property was even prettier on foot than it had looked from the apartment window. Rolling pastures, a creek that caught the afternoon light, mountains sitting blue and distant on the horizon. She could see why Ethan loved it here.

She walked until the trail curved north and the tree line rose up ahead of her, dense and dark against the sky. She stoppedat the edge of it, remembering what Ethan had said. Cole’s property.

She stood there for a moment, looking into the trees. A creek ran somewhere beyond them; she could hear it but not see it. The air was cooler here, smelling of pine and earth.

She turned and looked back the way she’d come. The barn was visible in the distance, small against the wide Montana sky. The apartment windows caught the sun.

She could be happy here. She already knew it as she turned back down the trail and headed home. Taking her time walking back, in no hurry. The afternoon light was shifting, turning the pastures gold, and she stopped once just to take it in. Montana had a way of making you stand still whether you meant to or not.

As she neared the barn she caught movement near the main house and looked over to see Ethan crossing the porch, his hat in his hand. He didn’t see her. He pushed open the door and disappeared inside.

She stood there for a moment longer than she needed to, then turned and climbed the stairs to her apartment.

The next morning, she was having her first cup of coffee when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She went to the door and opened it before whoever it was had a chance to knock.

A pretty redhead stood on the landing, smiling. “Hi, I’m Serena McKay. One of the trainers. I wanted to come introduce myself.”

“Naomi Austin.” She stepped back and held the door open. “Please, come in out of the heat.”

“Thanks.” Serena stepped inside.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Water. If it’s not too much trouble.”

“Of course not. Take a seat.” Naomi smiled. She liked Serena already. She had an easy warmth about her, the kind that was hard to fake.

Once she filled the glasses, she carried them to the living area, handed one to Serena on the sofa, and settled into the overstuffed chair across from her.

“How long have you worked here?” Naomi asked.

“Almost two years. I love it.”

“So, Ethan is good to work for?”

“The best. I’ve never seen him lose his temper. He’s so even-keeled. His brothers are the same way.”

“You know them?”