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

“Elias wants to know if he should stick around,” Shane said. “For you.”

A delicate frown pulled her eyebrows together. “I don’t understand.”

“We could go out to dinner,” Elias offered. “Or back to my place.”

“You don’t have a place,” Shane reminded him. “You stayed with me last night.”

“I could get a place.”

“You have a girlfriend.”

Elias turned back to Annabelle. “It’s not serious.”

“You’re nineteen.”

Elias glared at him. “Don’t make me hurt you, old man.”

Annabelle shook her head. “I’m still confused. I’m, ah, here to learn how to ride.”

Shane winked at Elias. “That was a no.”

“Like you’re going to do any better.”

Shane knew that was probably true. More important, for reasons of self-preservation, he needed to stay clear of Annabelle Weiss. Even if she was a temptation.

“About the riding lesson,” she began.

Elias sighed. “Is it an age thing? Everyone thinks I’m real mature.”

Shane slapped him on the back. “Is that what they’re saying?”

“You stay out of this, old man. This is between me and the lady.”

Old man?

Annabelle’s green eyes widened. “Are you trying to ask me out?”

“If you have to ask, then I’m doing it wrong,” Elias muttered.

“Something else the girlfriend says?” Shane asked quietly.

Elias glared at him. “Shut up.”

Shane patted him on the back. “Give it time, kid. You’ll get the hang of it.”

“I do just fine.”

“Uh-huh.”

Shane turned his attention back to Annabelle. As he’d suspected, she created trouble wherever she went. He was torn between regretting his offer to help and wondering how he would survive if he didn’t get to see her. She was the kind of woman who—

He was interrupted midthought by a whole different kind of trouble approaching from the direction of the barn.

* * *

ANNABELLE WAS WILLING to admit she had a sucky track record when it came to men, but she’d never found them quite so perplexing. The young cowboy was hitting on her, which was flattering, but made no sense. She was too old for him. Sure, her new boots were cute, but she’d yet to meet a guy who was that into shoes.

It was the height thing, she thought with a sigh. Because she was small, people often assumed she was younger than she was. Or incompetent. Or both.

As for Shane, who was even better looking in person than in her memory, he seemed more amused than attracted to her. Probably for the best. At least he was acting more normally today. Maybe he hadn’t been feeling well the last time they’d met.

“Don’t move,” Shane said in a low voice.

She blinked at him. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t move. Stay exactly where you are. Elias?”

“On it, boss.” The teen slipped between the rails of the corral and started walking in a wide circle.

“It’s going to be all right,” Shane said, never taking his eyes from her.

Annabelle realized this wasn’t some strange game, that there really was a problem. Her body went cold as she imagined a large snake approaching. One with big fangs and poisonous venom designed to kill in six painful seconds. Or maybe she was being stalked by something worse, although right now she couldn’t imagine what could fit that description.

“A bear?” she asked hopefully. Being mauled seemed better than anything to do with a snake. “Is it a bear?”

“A horse.”

“What?”

She turned and saw the large white stallion they’d talked about the day before. Apparently he’d let himself out of his enclosure and was now trotting toward her.

He was beautiful—like something out of the movies. His mane and tail shimmered, muscles rippled and his hooves were a shiny black. Dark eyes locked with hers as he headed directly for her.

He had the most gentle expression, she thought, her nervousness fading away. Almost as if he were trying to reassure her.

She put her hand on her chest, just below her throat. “You scared me. I thought it was a snake. While I hate to be one of the crowd, I share the typical female fear of snakes.” She turned toward the horse. “Hey, big guy. You’re beautiful. I assumed I would be afraid of horses because you’re so big, but you’re sweet, aren’t you?”

“Annabelle, stay calm.” Shane’s voice was insistent, almost fearful.

“Okay,” she said. “I can do that.”

“Move back slowly.”

From the corner of her eye she saw Elias approaching with a rope. The teen was bent over at the waist, practically running. Overreact much, she thought, as Khatar reached her.

“Hey, baby,” she murmured, reaching up and stroking the huge animal’s face. “Who’s a handsome boy?”

Khatar shuffled closer and placed his face near to hers. She smiled at him and breathed in the scent of horse. It wasn’t as overwhelming as she would have thought. She patted his neck.

“You’re very strong,” she told him. “Do all the girls say that? I’ll bet you’re very popular with the lady horses.”