Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(25)

While she appreciated the gesture, she still felt guilty and a little foolish. How could she have missed the truth about Shane?

Before she could figure out what to say, Khatar came strolling around the barn. She laughed as he headed directly toward her.

Shane turned. “What the hell? How did he get out?”

She reached for the horse as he approached and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Hey, big guy. How are you? Who’s a handsome horse? Did you know you’re expensive? You need to take care of yourself.”

“He’s insured,” Shane said drily.

She leaned into the horse because it was easier than looking at Shane. “I can still help with your house. If you want me to. You know, to make up for all of this.”

She expected him to say no, but he surprised her by agreeing.

“We never did decide on the kitchen,” he said. “Maybe we can do that in the next day or so. Jocelyn is on me about wanting to pour the foundation.”

“We can do it after our lesson, if you’d like.”

“Sure. You have time?”

When it came to him, she was starting to think she had all the time in the world. She liked that even when he’d been annoyed, Shane’s anger had been low-key. He’d never once yelled and he didn’t say anything disparaging. Lewis, her ex, would have said she was stupid, would have gone on and on, blaming her. He would have done his best to make her feel small.

“I can stay,” she told him.

Their gazes locked. She was aware of something hot pulsing between them. Something that would be very, very messy. Maybe he would want to…

A flicker of movement caught her attention. She saw one of the mares in the corral next to Priscilla’s enclosure.

“Are you trying to see if Priscilla wants to be friends with one of the horses?”

Shane turned and nodded. “I found a cat with Priscilla yesterday. A mother cat with kittens. I went online and read about Asian elephants. The females need a group to belong to. I don’t think a cat is going to be enough, so I’m trying the mares, one at a time, until we get a match.”

“That’s very sweet.”

“Priscilla belongs to my mother. However, she has left the care of her menagerie to me, so I’ll do what I can.”

“Maybe she’ll fall in love. Or at least start dating.”

Shane swung his attention back to her. “Speaking of dating,” he began.

Her heart fluttered. Was he going to ask her out? Did he feel the chemistry between them? Was he thinking that they should at least take their attraction for a test drive?

“I had an interesting talk with Charlie yesterday,” he told her.

She winced. “Oh.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh? That’s it?”

“She needs to start seeing someone. I won’t go into why, but she has to get back on the horse, so to speak, and you’re a horse guy so I thought… But then you said you weren’t interested and it probably wouldn’t work.” No way she was going to bring up their kiss. Even if she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“Anyway, that’s what happened. You didn’t hurt her feelings, did you?”

“Charlie firmly put me in my place. You would be proud.”

“That’s nice.”

“Anyone else you want to set me up with?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“Other groups that will be showing up unannounced?”

“I can’t think of any.”

“Good. Ready for our lesson?”

She nodded. “Am I riding Khatar?”

Shane shook his head. “It’s what you both want. Who am I to stand in the way?”

“But he’s so expensive. I don’t want to hurt him.”

Shane sighed. “You won’t.”

Khatar stood next to her, his neck over her shoulder, his cheek against hers. “I’ll be very careful.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Shane started toward the barn. She followed, Khatar trailing after her.

“You think I’m a pain in the butt, don’t you?” she asked.

He turned. “I know you’re not trying to be.”

“I’m not. Usually I’m not the least bit difficult.”

“Why don’t I believe that?”

Before she could come up with a response, he stepped toward her and grabbed her upper arms. He pressed his mouth against hers in one hard, hot kiss that seared her down to her toes. Before she could reach for him or even kiss him back, he released her.

“Khatar’s never had on a Western saddle. You’ll have to ride English.”

Pleasure and need charged through her in time with her heartbeat. She drew in a shaky breath.

“Whatever you say, Shane.”

He grunted. “If only that were true.”

CHAPTER SIX

“RAFE AND I HAVE DECIDED we’ll hold the wedding here,” Heidi said as she poured glasses of iced tea in the ranch’s dining room. “It’s more economical and we can have more people.”

Charlie took the offered glass and raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? Rafe’s worried about what it’s going to cost?”

Heidi laughed. “No, but I’ve spent my life being frugal. That’s not going to change anytime soon.”