Page 121 of The Making of Marnie Jones

He turned toward the voice and took the outstretched hand.

“Kennedy.”

“Jake.”

Her handshake was firm and sure. She was a stunning woman, yet he’d be very surprised if she played on her looks. There was an air of confidence about her, sure, but not arrogance. “You own this place.”

“I do. I’ve been running it for eight years now.”

“You look awfully young for that kind of record.”

“Looks can be deceiving. I graduated with my PhD in clinical psychology when I was twenty-four and spent three years in community outreach before I received a grant and opened Healing Horses.” Her dark-brown eyes broke contact with his as she surveyed the surroundings.

“Impressive for somebody who's only thirty-five.”

“I do my best. We’ve had a lot of success.” No bragging, just a statement.

He took another look around. “I might be interested in doing a story on your work.”

“Although it's a nice idea, I don't need more attention. We have the funding and a full slate of clients. “

“Still, it’d be interesting to share your methods with the lay public.”

Her eyebrow arched. “There's always a chance it might become public knowledge the women are patients. Take off the journalist cap and put on the one labeled uncle.”

Good point.His ability to sniff out a good story sometimes overrode his common sense. His instincts were bang on because this ranch would make a compelling human-interest story.

“I have to go check on the horses.” With a wave, she departed.

A few minutes later, Marnie and Olivia came out, pulling the horses behind them. They wore matching riding helmets, and soon mounted their horses. Marnie's horse was several inches shorter, allowing her some measure of dignity.

Soon they were moving around the ring, and he hitched his boot to the lower rung as he watched. This place had a simplicity and a tranquility that couldn’t be denied. He understood what drew the women to it, and he fervently hoped they could lay some of their demons to rest here as well.

After a few minutes, he sensed someone beside him. Glancing sideways, he saw a beautiful woman with black hair, and eyes of the lightest blue he’d ever seen. He held out his hand. “Jake.”

“Rainbow.”

Chapter thirty-eight

Marnietriedtotampdown the jealousy overwhelming her.

Rainbow was a beautiful woman. Judging by the way she batted her eyelashes and flipped her hair, she had her sights set on Jake. And why not? He was gorgeous.

She especially liked how his jeans showed off his beautiful butt to perfection.

“Marnie, are you listening to me?”

“Sorry, Olivia, my mind wandered. What were you saying?”Stay focused.

“How excited I am Jake’ll be living here. In some ways, I barely know him, but I know he cares about me, you know?”

“You’re the most important thing in the world to him. He’ll do anything to protect you. Treasure that.” Emotion threatened to overwhelm her. Olivia’d come so far in such a short time. Two months ago, her uncle’d been a stranger. Now, he was someone whose opinion she valued. Whose love she basked in.

“He won’t become too overprotective, will he?”

“He's an uncle—it's his right to be a little protective.”

“What about Tristan?”

---