“No, I’m fine.”
Gracie sat straight and proud, bits of brown curls sticking out from under the black velvet riding helmet. “Uncle Stephen, watch me.”
“Watching.”
Gracie took the reins as shown and Hannah led them to the fenced-in riding area.
“You like her,” Abby said as they walked to a bench with a view.
“Of course I like her. She’s my niece.”
Abby made a face. “You know what I mean.”
Yeah. He knew.
Minutes passed as they watched the figures in the ring. The horse shuffled through the red dirt, hooves sinking, kicking bits of sandy earth with each slow step. Several poles striped with colors rested on the ground, others stood upright and crossed to make an X. He wondered again if the land Dave was interested in was adjacent to hers, and if it sold how it would affect her.
It wasn’t a fancy place, didn’t have to be. Not like the rehab facility he’d secured out west for his youngest brother. It burned he had nothing to offer other than money. And on his last trip out, J.T. had made it clear he didn’t even want that.
He noticed other equipment. Bells attached to colorful poles and hooks with plastic rings the size a child would toss in a game. What she did here was important, meaningful.
“I’m surprised you’re giving up so easily.”
“Who says I’m giving up?”
Exchanging Abby’s questions for a closer view of Hannah, he made his way down to the rail circling the riding area. He wasn’t giving up. He was trying to do the right thing.
A stiff wind brought the smell of animal and earth. It also lifted the hair of the woman he couldn’t look away from, and blew it around her face. That initial punch at seeing her again lingered, growing stronger instead of fading. He wanted to hear that voice talking to him, wanted to see her laughing and smiling because of him. Dangerous thoughts for a man who had little need for a woman outside the bedroom.
He’d made every effort not to think about her. Had even gone out with another woman last night. But he hadn’t wanted to listen to social gossip, hadn’t wanted to look at her heavily made-up face, or strips of beaded silk that begged him to touch and left nothing to the imagination. He’d thought of Hannah, imagined it was her sitting across from him. She didn’t try to draw attention to herself, subtle or otherwise. If anything, she hid. But, still, there was an allure about her, a magic. Like she’d put a spell on him.
“She’s a natural,” Hannah told Abby, leading horse and rider back to the barn.
“I really appreciate you letting her ride.” Abby reached for her purse. “How much do I owe you?”
Hannah held up a hand. “Absolutely not.”
“I’ve got it.” Stephen went for his wallet.
“No.” Hannah met his gaze evenly, her tone final.
“Well, thank you.” Abby brushed her fingers through Gracie’s curls. “Maybe you can come over to the house again.”
“Do you want to?” Gracie piped up. “You could be friends with my mom.”
“We’d love to have you,” Abby added, in her easy way. “Or maybe we could go for lunch.”
Hannah responded with a soft smile of her own. “I’d like that. And Gracie’s welcome anytime. I mean it.”
“Yes, yes, yes! I want to come again.”
Gracie was still hopping when the sound of a car pulling up made them all turn. Matt.
His brother joined them, kissed his wife’s cheek, then laid a hand on Gracie’s head. “Hey, ladybug.”
“Daddy!” Gracie jumped and latched onto his side. “I rode a horse! She’s Hazel and I rode her!”
“Is that right?” Matt pulled his daughter up and into his arms and gave Abby one of those married-people looks. The kind you shared with that one person who knows you better than anyone. “Everything okay?”
“It’s great.” Abby slid her arm around her husband’s back.
Stephen took in his brother. Clean-shaven, fresh clothes. “I thought you were—”
“He finished early,” Abby said quickly. “I called him, and see”—she patted his chest before he could speak—“he came right out to get us. So, you don’t have to take us home. You can stay or…whatever. I think my car needs a new battery, honey. We should go check that out. Now.”
Yeah. Abby the innocent was not so innocent. But how would she—Lizzy. Damn nosy sister. Matt walked his wife to the car and lifted Gracie onto his shoulders, her little-girl giggle wafting on the air. Leaving him alone with a woman he wanted, but shouldn’t want, who clearly didn’t want him.
As Matt’s truck drove away, a powder-blue van pulled in.
“Oh, no.” Hannah tracked the van as it parked.
Her brows were drawn together, her hair slightly mussed around her face like she’d just rolled out of bed. Or in a bed, and damn it, he wanted to touch her. Wanted that right. “What’s wrong?”
“I left a message. They must not have gotten it.” She shook her head. “Lexie’s not here today and Toby’s too big for me to manage by myself.”
A woman stepped out of the van and waved a shaky hand before going around to the passenger door.
“He’s going to be so disappointed.”
Stephen couldn’t imagine anyone looking more disappointed than Hannah did right now. Except maybe when she’d stood in his brother’s kitchen doorway. She’d had the same fallen look then, maybe worse.