Page 20 of Hero Unbound

Eva nodded. “Do you have a name picked out for the colt yet?”

“I promised the 4-H kids they could name him. They wanted to see what they were dealing with before they chose. They’re making a big to-do of it at the high school.”

She smiled again. “4-H is what got me interested in animals. It’s why I decided to become a vet…technician.”

“Well, I’ll say it again. After seeing you in action tonight, you need to become a full-fledged vet. You were amazing.”

Her smile faded. “Yeah. Maybe one day.”

He had no idea what had just caused the light in her to dim at his words.She obviously loved animals. Why would the thought of becoming a vet make her smile go away?

What was she hiding behind those huge green eyes? Theo didn’t know, but he needed to figure out a way to find out.

7

Theo was so intent on getting Eva a little food and rest that it wasn’t until they were walking through the door of his house that he realized he’d made a tactical error.

Why had he brought her here, rather than to the main Linear house? There was much more room to spread out there—multiple bedrooms and baths, and a fully-stocked kitchen.

They kept it that way to be utilized as needed—groups on the property for training, current or former employees who needed a place to crash. Hell, the Teton Helitack crew stayed here when they wanted an escape from their home base. Some of Theo’s best friends were part of that elite helicopter-based firefighting crew.

It would’ve been the ideal place to take Eva so she could shower and eat. She could’ve had plenty of space, and Theo could’ve left whenever he wanted.

But he’d brought her here to his personal home. That wasn’t something he did often. Hell, ever. Outside of his family, he’d never brought a woman here.

“Is it okay for the dogs to come in?” She stopped before entering as she asked.

He had no doubt if he said no, she wouldn’t be coming in at all.As if he was going to separate her from those dogs. He wasn’t sure who it would traumatize more, her or them.

“Of course they can. I’ll get them something to eat too.”

She walked in, dogs right next to her, all three of them looking around. Theo knew he kept his place kind of plain. The cabin had a spacious concept—the small kitchen opened directly into the living room. The bathroom was off to the side near the wooden ladder that led up to the second-floor loft.

He glanced around, seeing his place through her eyes. It had to seem almost caveman-like. No television—he preferred the stack of books that lined one wall. Only one single couch with nary a throw pillow to be found.

And the view. Who needed a television when nature provided more than enough to look at?

His place was clean, stark, and simple—pretty much like Theo himself.It had never once bothered him until this moment.

“I, uh, don’t have guests here often.”

She was still wandering around, dogs right at her feet. “If I had a place like this, I wouldn’t invite people over either.”

He winced but couldn’t blame her for feeling that way. This place would only appeal to a very few people.

She walked over to the south windows. “Of course, I’d never leave either. I just wouldn’t want people here obstructing the view.”

Maybe she did get it.

“Yeah, that’s why I chose this place—the windows.”

“Unobstructed views of nearly 360 degrees? I can’t blame you there. Although I guess this place would be a decorator’s nightmare.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “How could you possibly compete with the Tetons and Wyoming wilderness outside? Nothing placed in here would even come close to comparing.”

She really did get it. And looked so right standing there.

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