Page 25 of Silent Deception
“I think it helps him a lot, coming outside to work the horses. Therapy, of sorts.” She studied Kristin over the rim of her cup, then lowered it and held it with both hands on her lap. “I understand you two have some history.”
“A little.” Kristin watched the horse and rider, rather than meet the other woman’s eyes. “I moved away when I was a child, but met him in college. We dated, broke up. The usual.” From the corner of her eye, she saw the troubled look on Valentina’s face. “I’m sure I was just one of many.”
“I’d probably just started dating Trevor back then.” Valentina worried at her lower lip with her perfect, white teeth. “I’m sorry we never met.”
“I was only here at the ranch once.” A visit intended to be a joyous meet-my-family celebration...but ended up the most awful day of her life. Kristin forced a smile. “It’s ironic, being here again after all these years. I had no idea that my land was next to this ranch...at least, not till I started moving in and missed my road a few times. The Four Aces Ranch is listed on No Trespassing signs all along the highway.”
“Most land over here is leased to hunters, so we try to keep out the poachers.” Valentina watched Ryan dismount, toss a stirrup over the saddle and loosen the girth, then lead the horse out of the arena. “It’s a nice coincidence that Ryan happens to be in town now. I hear you two ran into each other.”
“Briefly.”
Valentina’s eyes twinkled. “And?”
“It was on a professional basis.Only.”
“There’s no chance...?”
“None.” Clint had been cold and vicious the day he threatened to ruin her family if she didn’t break up with Ryan. She’d had no doubt he would follow through.
He’d also told her he would force Ryan to leave school and go back to the ranch.
Devastated, she’d complied. When Ryan tried to dissuade her, she’d blurted out the first lie she could think of—that she never wanted to be a rancher’s wife. That she wanted country clubs and money, not dust and cattle.
He’d believed her and he’d walked away.
Heartbroken, she pined for months, wishing he’d come after her. But he hadn’t called or written. He hadn’t missed her at all.
The irony was that she’d actually ended up, on the rebound, with a guy who’d had the country club and money. A guy who was a terrible mistake.
She glanced at her watch. Time was flying. Through the window facing the drive, she could see dusk had fallen.
“I do have a question.” The sound of children chattering was close, but Kristin plowed ahead. “I understand my father worked here a couple of years ago.”
Valentina dropped her gaze. “Yes, he did.”
“Did you work with him? Talk to him much?”
“No...not really...and he was here less than a year.” Valentina swirled the remaining coffee in her cup. “I was either home with the kids or commuting to my old job, which was two hours travel each day.”
Kristin took a steadying breath. “I heard he was fired.”
Valentina didn’t answer for so long that Kristin finally touched her arm. “Please, tell me.”
The younger woman glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “Clint is a hard man, bless his heart. He comes roaring in from San Antonio unexpectedly, doesn’t like something, and heads roll. He’s fired a lot of people over the years.Goodpeople.”
“My dad...was there a fight? A big argument?”
“I—I wouldn’t know about that. Things are—” She stopped abruptly and seemed to withdraw into herself. “Your father is gone. There’s no use worrying about the past, is there? Just let it be.”
The kids burst into the room. “The truck is running, and Dad has the horses loaded,” Sara exclaimed. “And we told Cody he could have a kitten, but not till they’re older. He wants the one with black spots.”
Standing, Valentina tousled her son’s hair, clearly relieved by the distraction. “I think you children should be asking Cody’s mom before you start giving him any cats.”
All eyes swiveled to Kristin.
“Please, Mom. It’s gonna be really cool. It’s got one black ear and one white, and it has a bull’s eye on one side.”
“Sounds like quite a looker,” she said dryly. “Let’s see how you do with your horse and dog chores during the next six weeks first.”
