Page 48 of Destined for the Cowboy

“I didn’t, always,” she admitted. “Even though David kept telling me.”

He blinked. “He did?”

It was difficult, because she didn’t talk about this often, but it felt necessary now, with this man. “When we knew…he was terminal, he told me I needed a motto to remember, after. Andhe chose ‘Honor the past, but don’t live in it.’ Maybe that idea would help you, too.”

She thought he took in a deep breath, then knew she was right by the way he slowly let it out.

“I don’t know if I’m tough enough.”

She couldn’t help it, she let out a laugh. “You? The man who could be the prototype for building a life on wreckage?”

He stared at her. Then he shifted his gaze to the table again, but she could see the slight upward tug at the corners of his mouth. That mouth she wanted to kiss, an urge she’d once been certain she would never feel with any man other than David. And it was so strong it had her wondering what he would do if she leaned over the small table and did it. Kissed him, here, in public, and no doubt setting the Last Stand grapevine on fire with it.

She’d never been one to make the first move, but with Logan she was thinking she might have to be. Because he wouldn’t believe it, otherwise.

But then a group of a half-dozen chattering people came through the door, and their isolation—that word again—was shattered. And Logan tensed slightly but didn’t look around. Instead he glanced at his watch—she’d noticed before he was not glued to a phone screen—and looked a little startled.

“I have to get to a job.” And then, as if he felt he needed to explain, he added, “For your brother, actually.”

Did he think she needed an explanation? That she wouldn’t believe him without it? Or was he used to thinking up excuses to get away, and didn’t want her to think he was doing that this time?

She laughed inwardly at herself. It had been a long time since she’d expended so much time and energy on trying to figure out one person. With David she had instinctively known, which made it easier. But somehow she was finding the challenge ofunderstanding Logan Fox interesting. Even…exhilarating? Now that was something she’d never expected. Nor had she expected to find the quiet, almost withdrawn man so…so…appealing?

Girl, you’ve gone way beyond appealing. Admit it, you’re hot for him, in a way you never, ever thought you’d feel again.

Nor had she ever expected to find herself thinking, with any kind of seriousness, that maybe them constantly running into each other wasn’t just accident or coincidence.

That maybe, just maybe it was fate.

*

Logan gave thehoof one more swipe with the rasp, then straightened and released the mare’s foreleg.

“She should be good now,” he said.

Jeremy Thorpe smiled happily. “Can she have the carrot now?”

“She’s earned it,” Logan agreed, and moved his gear out of the way so the boy could get to the docile little bay. He backed up to stand beside the boy’s father.

“Thanks,” Jackson said. “I think she’s going to be a good one for the smaller kids.”

“Yes.” Logan nodded toward the boy eagerly feeding the chunks of carrot to the horse. “I like how involved he is.”

“It’s helping him as much as the clients, so I’ll happily take it.”

Logan looked up to meet those Hollywood-famous eyes. Eyes that were also passed on to his sister. “You’re doing a good thing here,” he said quietly.

“I hope so. Sometimes I worry it’s just making me feel good,” Jackson confessed.

Logan shook his head. “No. You’re helping kids who were where your son was. You understand in a way somebody who hasn’t been through it never could.”

Jackson studied him for a moment, and Logan had the thought that the cameras had never really captured the power of that intense gaze.

“Tris understands,” Jackson said softly.

Logan tensed, but said only, “Yes she does.”

“I worry about her. A lot.”

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