Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)(59)

“Go to hell.”

“Why don’t you tell me what it’s like there, bro? Sounds like you already know.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

HEIDI GLANCED DOWN AT THE PAD of paper in her hand. The notes on the care of Shane’s horses covered three pages. “When I die, I want to come back as one of your horses.”

“I’ve heard that before,” Shane said, rubbing the side of the mare’s face. “I believe in treating my animals well.”

Heidi looked at the six horses Shane had brought with him. They were all beautiful. Their coats gleamed, defining the rippling muscles underneath. Their eyes contained curiosity and intelligence, and they’d all been friendly enough when Shane had introduced her.

“I’m going to be here a few more days,” he said, stepping out of the stall and closing the door behind him. “We’ll have a chance to go over everything again. I’ll make sure you’ve ridden each of the horses before I go. These guys are easy. You shouldn’t have any problems.”

“I’m not sure I like the way you say that,” she admitted, following him out of the barn. “It implies some of your horses are difficult.”

“A few are temperamental,” he admitted. “I have a new stallion who’s nothing but trouble. But he’s physically perfect and too smart for his own good.”

“You’re a gambler.”

“Only when it comes to horses. I put nearly everything I have into him, so this gamble better pay off.”

“My cheese empire shows great potential. If this horse does you in, you can come work for me.”

Shane chuckled. “I appreciate that.”

They were standing by the main corral. Sometime in the past few days, summer had arrived in Fool’s Gold. The sky was blue, the temperature warm. It was the kind of day that made her want to go play. But the only companion who interested her in that way had turned out to be a lying weasel dog. Too bad she hadn’t fallen for Shane, she thought glumly. Rafe’s brother was just as good-looking. He was nice and easygoing and safe. Safe, because she didn’t feel the slightest tingle when he was around. Not that he’d shown any interest in her, but that wasn’t the point. Even now, thinking about how angry Rafe made her, she still wanted him.

She told herself these feelings weren’t love. She was smarter than that. All she felt was that stupid bonding thing women did after they had sex with a man. It would pass.

“Do I want to ask what you’re thinking about?” Shane studied her. “You’re looking fierce.”

“I wish I didn’t like your mother so much. It would make it a lot easier for me to maim one of her children.”

“Seeing as I’m about the nicest guy you’re ever going to meet, you must be talking about Rafe. He’s screwed up, hasn’t he? I’m not even surprised.”

“He does that a lot?”

“More than he should, for a guy as smart as he claims to be. Sometimes he holds on too tight. Sometimes he doesn’t hold on tight enough. Mostly, he expects people to do what he tells them.”

Heidi agreed. Rafe probably expected her not to mind that he was going to steal her home from her. She could probably get over that. It was the fact that he’d slept with her while planning to build homes on every inch of her ranch that really fried her.

“Want to tell me what happened?” Shane asked.

“Not really.”

He exhaled sharply. “Good. Because I was just being polite.”

“Sure, blame your mother.”

He chuckled. His dark gaze met hers. “I don’t know what you and Rafe have going on between you, but I’ll tell you this. If he lets you get away, he’s even more stupid than I thought.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Shane stared at something over her shoulder. “Speaking of the boss man, here he comes. Want to really piss him off? Laugh as if I’m the funniest guy you’ve ever met. It’ll drive him crazy.”

The thought of Rafe uncomfortable cheered her enough to make it easy to toss her head back and laugh. She straightened and rested her hand on Shane’s forearm.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“You’re welcome. So, we’re riding tomorrow?” He asked the question in a louder voice, as if wanting the sound to carry.

“Absolutely,” Heidi told him, doing her best to sound enthused. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Good. Then it’s a date. Hey, bro.” Shane shifted his hat back on his head. “I’ve been showing Heidi my horses. And a few other things.”

“I can see that.”

Rafe glared at Shane, who glared right back. Heidi could have used the moment to feed her fragile ego, but knew there wasn’t any point. Shane was pretending, and she had no clue what Rafe was doing. It’s not as if he were genuinely interested in her.

“Then I guess I’ll be going,” Shane said, blinking first.

“I guess you will,” Rafe told him.

Heidi ignored them both and started for the goat house.

Rafe fell into step beside her. “You’re getting along with Shane real well.”

“He’s nice. I like him. I’m going to be looking after his horses while he’s gone.”