Page 63 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
“I can call if you’d like.” As always, Spencer offered to help, as he tapped his tablet. “I already have their contact info. I know you’re busy with the horses and…” Spencer’s eyes darted to Rowan. “Other things.”
She blushed. “I have a lot of work with thehorses. But if you get overwhelmed, let me know so I can take over.” He was unlikely to take the offer, but she had to make it.
“I have to leave.”
“What?” Ciara couldn’t stop the surprise from her voice, or the emotion behind it, at Rowan’s sudden statement. Disappointment, unhappiness and something far stronger blazed.He was leaving?
“Not permanently.” He studied her carefully. “Several matters at the main ranch require my personal attention. I’d rather go now before the rescue officially opens.” He gazed at her, with a hundred unsaid words.
She was as relieved as when they’d located the last of the escaped skunks from the garden party. Actually, more relieved since the unfortunate creature had taken residence in Mrs. Murphy’s… She pushed the memory from her mind. The stalwart woman hadnotbeen pleased.
Ciara shifted closer. “When are you leaving?”
“Right away.”
She frowned deeply. Even the thought of a temporary separation brought disappointment. This. Was. Bad.
“I’ll be back soon,” he said softly.
“Take as long as you need.”
She didn’t mean it.
Rowan left soon after, as did the rest of the men, and Ciara threw herself into working with the horses. She spent time with each animal, grooming, caring for and simply providing companionship. Most were healthy and happy, and even small amounts of time brought astounding progress. She saved Jasmine for last, for she always lingered at her girl’s side.
“How are you doing, sweetie?” She approached slowly, so as not to spook the skittish animal. It didn’t matter. The horse whinnied softly, walking stiffly and gazing with long, unfocused eyes. The veterinarian had given Ciara the option to do more tests, but they would be invasive, with the risk of significant complications. Every procedure traumatized Jasmine, a daunting prospect when the current symptoms could be psychosomatic. After a long discussion, he suggested waiting with close monitoring before taking further steps.
Ciara reached out to pet the horse’s flank, forced down her disappointment as she shied away. So instead she simply stayed next to her, singing Uncail Frank’s favorite lullabies, words of love and affection for the beautiful palomino. Promising she was going to be okay.
Only could she keep that promise?
Finally, she rose to leave, smoothing down her dusty clothing. There was much to do if they were officially opening in two weeks. After a long goodbye to Jasmine, she returned to the house to tackle her massive to-do list. She worked diligently for a few hours, before Teara arrived to discuss details of the bed and breakfast. They worked for the rest of the afternoon and then over dinner with the Byrne brothers, on everything from horse adoption to marketing to menus. Even though Rowan wasn’t there, his presence lingered.
Thus progressed the rest of that day, and the day after that. The next few passed in a flurry of activity. So many details required attention, ten tasks added for every one she completed. The others helped tremendously, and she never would have gotten it all done without their assistance.
But she still missed Rowan.
He called every night, just before bed. The first night, they spoke for an hour, the second for two. She lost track of time on the third night. On the fourth morning, Ciara awoke in a particularly good mood, brightened by a brilliant sun and a world full of hope. The plans for the horse rescue were progressing splendidly, ideas turning into reality at a dizzying pace. People had shown interest in the retreat, and not only did they book guests for the first week, but they filled the entiremonth, with reservations going into the holiday season. Teara officially started working a few days early to prepare for the upcoming visitors.
Best of all, Rowan would be arriving home that night. He’d only been gone a few days, yet it seemed far longer. Did he miss her as much as she missed him? On the phone, they eschewed any talk of feelings and emotions, never bringing up their “relationship.” Yet its presence lingered, even if it remained unsaid.
She dressed carefully that morning, donning an off-the-shoulder white eyelet top and a pair of dark blue jeans. Instead of her typical ponytail, she used silver-tone combs to sweep her hair back, framing her face with soft waves. She even wore jewelry, a small silver necklace depicting a wild horse.
Sitting at the ornate whitewashed vanity, she opened her laptop to conduct her typical morning routine: reading e-mails, browsing social media and catching up on the day’s news. She responded to a few messages and took care of some businessmatters. Then she visited her social media sites. That’s when everything changed.
It was happening again.
CHAPTER 12
Life or Death Situation!
Horses in Immediate Danger!
Kill Buyers Swooping in!
The headlines wear clear, the ramifications tragically eminent. Just like when she’d pursued the horses that started her journey, danger threatened innocent creatures. Unwanted by their owners, in poor condition, they wouldn’t fetch much interest from responsible buyers. The kill buyers would profit.
And this time, there were overtwentyhorses.
