Page 17 of Protected Hearts

She blinked at him. “A horse? That’s your solution?”

“Not to everything, but let’s just take a walk. Get some fresh air.” He pushed back his chair and stood.

When he extended a hand to Shiloh, he didn’t expect her to take it, and she didn’t. She stalked to the door ahead of him and whipped it open.

“Good luck, brother.” Carson’s soft comment came with a hint of humor which Oaks ignored as he hurried after Shiloh.

This was one of the longest days he’d lived in quite a while. Acting as a bodyguard for Black Heart Security kept him on his toes, but he hadn’t been trained for protecting a woman like Shiloh.

She had more secrets than a vault in the head of defense’s office. Cracking her codes wouldn’t be easy.

As they headed to the front of the house, the phone rang in the office. Then came Carson’s clear voice. “Black Heart Security.”

Shiloh’s steps slowed. She glanced at Oaks over her shoulder, and that look told Oaks he was right about her. She wasverysmart and more observant than most. Considering Black Heart Security protected the lives of high-profile businessmen, political figures and diplomats, that was saying something.

It also made her much harder to figure out. She’d obviously spent a long time dodging her ex and anyone else who was after her. She was on edge, antsy and as defensive as a prisoner of war.

He should know after the years he served his country. He’d taken his skills and used them for the good of helping other military veterans. Right here on this ranch, not a hundred yardsaway, was a facility for those men—old friends and new—who were getting what they needed.

Working with horses and putting hands on them helped the vets, and he guessed it might help Shiloh too. In that way, to him, this was just another day at the office.

Knowing that she didn’t have peace she craved or deserved tugged at his heart. Most people were worth helping.

When they approached the fence surrounding the paddock, one speckled mare, a special favorite of his, scented him.

“Watch this,” he said to Shiloh as she hesitantly drifted to the fence beside him.

The horse lifted her head, tossed her gorgeous mane, then came over to him at a trot. As soon as she did that, two others in the paddock followed. She whinnied softly and nosed his outstretched hand.

Shiloh folded her arms and backed away a step, but he knew she was watching. He reached into a bucket on the ground a few feet away and drew out an apple.

When the horse plucked it off his open palm and began crunching, Shiloh let out a low noise.

“You just keep apples outside for the horses at all times?”

“You never know when someone might wander out and want to feed one of the horses a little treat.” The mare nosed his hand for more. “Aww, sorry girl. You had your fill. But you’re lookin’ mighty pretty today, aren’t you?”

He tossed a look over his shoulder at Shiloh. “Come up to the fence. Hold out your hand nice and flat.”

With a reluctant step forward, she did as he recommended. When the mare nuzzled her palm, she let out another small noise. It wasn’t a laugh. Nor a noise of fear. Somewhere in between.

The other two horses crowded close, wanting treats too. Chuckling, he reached into the bucket and took out two more apples. He handed one to Shiloh. Without looking at him, she took the fruit.

“On your palm like this.” He demonstrated.

One horse took the apple from her and she snatched her hand back, folding her fingers tight into a fist. He fed the other horse an apple while petting his favorite mare. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Shiloh taking it all in.

The pucker that had been almost a constant fixture on her face smoothed out. The breeze stroked across the high grasses in the field beyond, bringing a whisper to his ears and the spice of earth to his nose.

“You ready?” he asked Shiloh.

Her gaze flashed to his. “For what?”

“To pet the horse. It’s the reason we came out here.”

“Oh.” She nibbled on her lower lip, giving him a pang in his own where she hadn’t bitten down as nicely.

She moved closer to the fence and extended her hand toward the dappled gray and black mare.

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