Page 21 of Ethan

He got through the call with Billings, worked through the books, and was back outside by noon.

He did a slow circuit of the barn, checking in with Johnny, then Serena, then found himself at the arena without quite meaning to be there.

Naomi was putting Vader through the pattern at a slow, easy pace, working the turns, letting the horse find his feet without pressure. The gelding moved well under her. Better than Ethan had expected for the first session.

He folded his arms on the top rail and watched.

After a moment she looked over and smiled at him.

He sighed.

He never got involved with employees. In all the years of running this ranch, he’d never once crossed that line. He wasn’t about to start now. He just needed to remember that.

****

As Naomi rode Vader through the pattern she kept her eyes forward like she was supposed to, which would have been easier if Ethan wasn’t standing at the rail, watching.

He was her boss. She needed to remember that.

She was walking Vader around the third barrel when the arena door opened and a woman with black hair stepped inside. Pretty, confident, moving like she knew exactly where she was going.

Naomi watched her smile when she spotted Ethan. Watched him smile back.

Of course.

“You knew he had to have someone,” she muttered, more to Vader than to herself. “So why are you surprised?”

She kept her eyes on the woman as she rode the pattern, jaw tight, and when Ethan opened his arms and hugged her Naomi looked away and focused very hard on the second barrel.

She had no right to feel this way. He didn’t owe her an explanation about his personal life. She was his employee. Nothing more.

She glanced back at them anyway. They looked comfortable together, easy, like people did when they’d known each other a while. And the woman was beautiful on top of it all.

Naomi nudged Vader toward the fence.

It was only when she got closer that she saw it. A diamond ring on the woman’s left hand, catching the light.

Her heart dropped straight to her stomach.

The woman turned and smiled at her and Naomi wanted to find something to dislike about it. She couldn’t. It was warm and open and completely genuine.

She smiled back despite herself.

“Hi,” the woman said.

“Hello.”

“I’m Ryan Carroll. This man’s future sister-in-law.” She slipped her arm through Ethan’s.

Naomi felt the relief move through her like warm water. “Hi, Ryan. I’m Naomi Austin. Congratulations on the engagement. When’s the wedding?”

“This coming weekend.” Ryan glanced at Ethan. “And this one has the very important job of making sure Seth actually makes it to the church.”

Ethan grinned. “He’ll be there.”

“He’d better be.” Ryan laughed, then turned back to Naomi. “How are you liking it here so far?”

“I love it. The ranch, the town.” Naomi shook her head. “I can already tell I’m not going anywhere.”