Page 38 of Beat of Love
And he’d discovered that her evil streak surpassed her father’s.
He let out a weary breath.
And today’s meeting highlighted the fact that she knew he hadn’t perished in the raid on the village. She was planning revenge. Here. In Texas.
He’d brought danger to his family.
I should never have come home.
10
Soaking in the tub
Lawson’s Landing, early October
Rafferty watched the girl and the horse interact. It was a touching scene. With long, even strokes, Amelia moved the soft-bristled brush across Elsa’s already gleaming coat, and her other arm loped under the mare’s neck. In response, the mare draped her head over the girl’s shoulder, returning the hug.
As he neared, he heard the sniffles.
Aw, hell. Amelia was crying. He stopped, debating whether he should leave or approach.
Give the girl her privacy.
God knows, if the roles were reversed, he’d hate it if someone intruded. And he shouldnotinvolve himself in the lives of Brandy-Lyn and her offspring. The woman was already a distraction he did not need. Besides, he’d only officially met her kids once. When his mom had invited the family to a meal. One Rafferty had excused himself from within minutes. So, approaching one of Brandy-Lyn’s children was not a good idea. At all.
Just leave.
About the turn away, Elsa lifted her head and whinnied.
He stifled a groan. Busted.
Amelia swung a startled look his way.
“Hey.” He lifted a hand in greeting. “I can go,” he added, motioning his thumb over his shoulder.
She swiped an arm across her face. “It’s fine. Just being silly,” she mumbled.
He walked closer, giving the teenager a thoughtful look. “Emotions are never silly.” Stopping on the other side of the horse, he patted Elsa’s neck. “Morning, darlin’.” The mare lowered her head and butted his side. He chuckled. “Greedy girl,” he chided, but obediently removed the apple stored in his sweatshirt pocket.
“Shereallylikes you,” Amelia said with a touch of awe as Elsa devoured her treat.
Grinning, he smoothed an open palm across the mare’s side. “So it seems.”
He surreptitiously studied Brandy-Lyn’s eldest daughter. Tall, slender, blonde, blue-eyed, she clearly took after her father. She was also out of sorts. Before he could stop himself, he opened his mouth. “You wanna talk about it?”
She gave him a startled look.
He shrugged. “You’re upset. It helps to talk about … stuff.”
Really? And how is that working out for you, Trick?
Amelia resumed her brushing. “My father’s here.”
“Here?” All he knew about Brandy-Lyn’s ex-husband was that the man had been a friend of Sullivan’s in college, and judging by Amelia’s age, Brandy-Lyn had not wasted time shacking up when Sullivan left to take his place when things went apeshit during a covert mission.
“He’s staying in town but he … arrived here a while ago. I …” Her eyes teared again. “I hate him,” she whispered.
The pain in her voice belied her harsh words.
