Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(48)

Charlie and Priscilla moved closer to watch. Fay joined them, eventually moving close enough to cautiously stroke the elephant’s shoulder. Shane walked along with Reno, although he quickly realized the pony was very much in tune with his rider.

By the house, Persephone and her baby enjoyed the warmth of the sun. Khatar dozed in the shade of a tree. The llamas and sheep grazed. In this crowd, his racehorses weren’t even close to the most unusual animal around.

As Reno carried Kalinda carefully around and around the corral, Shane moved back to the fence and watched. Fay smiled at him, tears in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered as her daughter laughed. “She needs more things like this.”

He watched the girl move. “She’s doing well. After a few more sessions on Reno, she could move to one of the smaller horses. I have one in mind. He’s a good guy. Very gentle.”

“That would be great,” Fay told him. “I want to sign her up for lessons.”

Charlie leaned around Fay and punched him in the arm.

“What?” he asked, staring at her.

“You did good, cowboy. With all of this.”

“Thanks,” he said, consciously not reaching up to rub the spot that now burned like a sonofabitch.

Priscilla turned her massive head and if he didn’t know better, he would swear the elephant smiled at him.

* * *

“WE NEED MUSIC,” ANNABELLE called over her shoulder as Khatar cantered across the open land. With the wind in her hair and the sun bright overhead, it was a wonderful day. She was free, on the open range and loving life.

The powerful stallion moved smoothly, his muscles moving in an easy rhythm. When Shane had suggested they do more than ride around the corral, she’d been nervous, but now she got the appeal. She felt like she was in a movie. All that was missing was the soundtrack.

Shane, on Mason, moved up next to her. “My place is that way,” he said, pointing.

She glanced to her right and saw construction equipment, what looked like part of a foundation and the beginnings of a stable. Before she could figure out how to turn Khatar, the horse was already moving in that direction.

“You’re so good,” she said, leaning over to pat him.

He picked his way down a slight rise and came to a stop by what would be the house. It was Saturday and the crew wasn’t working, so the equipment was quiet. She couldn’t imagine how loud it would be midweek, with all the engines doing their thing.

Shane dismounted and came around to help her. While she could have gotten down by herself, she liked the idea of sliding into his arms. If she were a better actress, she might feign an injured ankle or something, so he had to hold her. As it was, she had to content herself with his hands briefly settling on her waist, then a quick moment of body contact as she turned toward him. Then he stepped back and motioned to the house.

“Want a tour?”

“Sure.”

They left the horses in the shade of a couple of trees. She followed him across a graded area of cleared land toward the foundation.

“Front door,” he said, pointing. “Entryway, living room beyond that. We’ll go around back.”

“Just like the hired help.”

He chuckled. “I’ll be coming in from the stable. The back door makes more sense.”

He led the way into a surprisingly large room. She could see where the door would be.

“The mudroom?” she asked.

He nodded. “Sink over there, with a counter. Lots of storage for boots, jackets, slickers.”

They went into what would be the kitchen. She pressed her hands together. “You listened and moved the wall.”

“I did. You made a good point.”

“What you’re thinking is, I’m pretty smart for a girl.”

“I would never think that.”

They went into the formal dining room and the oversize family room.

“Guest rooms that way,” he said pointing to the left. “Study in front of us and master down the other way.” He lightly put his hand on the small of her back. “There are more changes out here.”

They went back toward the stable.

“I’m clearing more land and expanding the barn. For the riding horses.”

She glanced up at him. “Really?”

“What the hell. I can’t get out of it now.”

She wasn’t fooled by his faux growly voice. “You like the kids and you like giving lessons.”

“Maybe.” He looked at her and grinned. “Okay, yeah. I do. Did Charlie tell you about Kalinda?”

“She mentioned the girl had been by. I know who she is. When she has to stay in the hospital for her surgeries, I take her books. She’s come a long way.”

“I heard.”

“The recovery has been difficult. She nearly died a couple of times. Her parents have been through so much. Charlie said she really liked riding.”

“Reno was great with her,” he said. “Patient. It was as if he understood her physical limitations. I’ve been doing some research online. About how riding helps kids with physical challenges. I’ve been thinking about getting a couple more horses, training them to work with kids who are handicapped. I don’t have a business plan yet, but it makes sense to offer something like that here.”