Page 31 of Lie for a Million

His expression didn’t flicker—the steely gaze, the resolute mouth. She’d been wrong. He hadn’t been thinking about her at all. Out there in the arena, he had scarcely been aware of her. His attention had been riveted on his connection with the stallion, every move, every breath.

That was as it should be, Lila told herself. And she was through making a fool of herself over an episode that was best forgotten.

“I’m going to take him through it again at a slower pace,” he said. “You’re welcome to stay and watch.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” Lila said. “Good luck, and thank you for the show.”

She walked out of the arena, not the way she’d come in but through the entrance to the stable. She hadn’t planned it that way, but now that she was in charge, she needed to show more of a presence here.

Restless and feeling slightly out of place, she wandered along the line of stalls, stopping to examine a horse or give an occasional smile and greeting to a worker. Everything appeared to be in order, as she knew it would be under Roper’s stewardship. How would she have managed if he’d decided to leave?

But she couldn’t allow herself to think like that. She couldn’t depend on a man who wasn’t family, a man who could leave anytime the fancy struck him, and probably would.

She could offer him the partnership, as she’d planned to do earlier. But what if he didn’t want to be tied down? What if he said no?

The partnership was no longer a sure solution. Only one choice made sense—learning to manage the whole operation on her own.

I can do it, Lila told herself. She was already running the business end of the ranch. The rest—care and training of the horses, maintenance of the facility and pastures, dealings with employees, clients, and service providers such as vets and farriers—Frank had done it, and he wasn’t a genius. She could learn to do it too. It would take time and effort, but the thought of being prepared to do it all made her blood race.

The stable bustled with activity—stalls were being cleaned, horses were being readied for exercise or grooming. A worker pushed a wheelbarrow loaded with dirty straw and manure toward an exit. Lila stopped outside the box stall where One in a Million had been moved after his attack on Fire Dance. Recognizing her, the big roan nickered for attention.

“Hello, big guy.” She reached over the stall gate and stroked the satiny neck. “Sorry, no treats today, but I’ll remember next time.”

He butted her with his head. He was an affectionate horse, a devoted horse. The fear of being replaced by a rival stallion must have been very real to him—just as the trauma of watching his master die must’ve been. Now he was in exile, at least until after the Run for a Million when Fire Dance would be returned to his owner.

“Sorry, old boy. Life hurts sometimes, doesn’t it?” Lila pressed her cheek against the noble face. A tear trickled a salty path down the side of her nose.

It wasn’t just the horse. It was everything. Damn!

“Boss?” The voice from behind her was a low murmur. She turned to find Roper standing at her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

Lila ignored his question. “What are you doing here? I thought you were training the stallion.”

“We finished. One of the grooms told me you’d gone this way.”

“Is that a problem? After all, I do own the place.”

“As I’m well aware. But until your shoulder heals, you shouldn’t be here. With horses and people coming and going, you could get jostled and injure it again.”

“I’m fine. Stop babying me.” Turning away from him, she wiped her damp cheek with her sleeve.

“You’re not fine. You’re crying.”

“It’s nothing. I was just feeling sorry for this poor horse who’s given his all and doesn’t understand why he’s being cast aside. He deserves better.”

“I’m planning some time with him this afternoon,” Roper said. “Meanwhile, let me walk you back to the house.”

“I told you, I’m fine. I don’t need an escort.”

He exhaled slowly, as if counting to ten. “Then do it for me. Just this once, let somebody be here for you.”

Something in his voice told Lila he was in no mood to argue. His fingertips touched her back, guiding her lightly but insistently toward the open door at the far end of the wing. They stepped outside to a sunlit view of the pastures. The morning breeze cooled Lila’s damp face. In the near paddock, the brood mares grazed on watered grass while their leggy foals bucked and frolicked.

To get her back to the house, they would have to walk partway around the long wing of the stable. Roper fell into step beside Lila as she strode ahead. “Talk to me, Boss,” he said. “We haven’t had much time for that lately. What’s on your mind?”

She slowed, then stopped, gazing past him at the expanse of pastureland, dotted with horses and cattle. They were alone here, the closed side of the stable behind them. His nearness stirred little whorls of heat inside her. Lila willed herself to ignore them.

“That depends on what’s onyourmind,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about what I need to do when you leave.”

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