Page 26 of Beat of Love
She muttered something under her breath before replying, “Elsa.”
“Elsa,” he repeated. Close enough to the mare, he caught the sudden widening of her eyes. “Hmm. You like your beautiful name, darlin’.”
The horse stepped back; the rein pulled tight. Elsa’s neck muscles bunched. He was within touching distance, but he dared not reach out. Not yet. He sidled closer to her withers, coming alongside. “Will you let me help you, darlin’?” he crooned.
The mare shifted, loosening the tautness of the leather lead. And her neck twisted toward him. She whinnied and dropped her head.
Giving permission.
His throat tightened.Fuck, I’m a proper crybaby today.“Thank you, Elsa. I’m gonna touch you now. That okay with you, gorgeous girl?”
The horse blinked. Fuckingblinked.
He placed his palm on her shoulder. “Hi, Elsa,” he whispered, moving his hand in firm but gentle strokes over her neck, shoulder, and withers. “My name is Rafferty, and I reckon we’re gonna be best friends.”
7
Good girl
Brandy-Lyn watched the man unhook the reins from the wooden post and lead Elsa away from the fence with a combination of jealousy and relief. She had lost sleep fretting over how to connect with the headstrong mare. None of the proven methods had worked. None. Yet somehow this man had broken through the horse’s barriers.
“Where do you want her?” He stood a few feet away from her, his voice low, his attention still fully on Elsa as he continued his soothing stroking.
“Follow me.” She led the way back to the stables, acutely aware of the man behind her.
Since their collision, she had only seen him from a distance. Which suited her just fine, thank you very much. During those fourteen days (not that she was counting) she had talked herself into believing her acute attraction to the blasted man was imagined.
But no. That was a false belief.
The undivided attention he lavished on the mare …
The graceful moves of his stroking hand …
The rough, low timber of his voice as he murmured …
She wanted all of that.
Directed at her.
She shook her head free of the ridiculous notion and veered to the paddock Elsa shared with two older mares, Rain and Smokey, chosen as companions due to their calmtemperaments. Both whinnied at their approach, and Elsa gave a short one in reply.
Opening the gate, she stepped aside, and he led Elsa through to the middle of the enclosure. Rain and Smokey ambled over. Rafferty removed the halter and gave the mare a pat. The horse swaggered away, not a care in the world.
But Brandy couldn’t say the same with the man stalking across the grass, anger radiating from him in waves. She took a wary step back, bumping against the gate.
“What the fuck, Brandy-Lyn?” he snarled, eyes blazing.
The metal frame dug into her back. “Wh-what do you mean?”
His one arm swung out, pointing behind him. “Her.”
She had never seen eyes blaze so hot. And she was clueless as to what his problem was. “Elsa broke away from me.”
He emitted a growly noise.
“Did you justgrowlat me?”
He leaned closer.
