Page 52 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

Chapter Fourteen

AFTER LUNCH, TEX INVITEDRachel to see two foals. Yes, maybe it was his secret weapon because who wouldn’t be smitten by adorable baby horses?

But there was more to it. “I want you to see part of my world,” he said as they entered the stable sweetened with hay, straw, and leather.

“I appreciate it.” She raised an eyebrow. “But it’s interesting that you didn’t take me to your office for that. Or show me your company’s website and accolades.”

His heart moved. It was interesting indeed. And how could he not like her directness as she spoke what she thought? It fit well with his family. In the corporate world, one had to learn to hide one’s thoughts. “I meant, part of my childhood. Besides, I have a feeling you already checked my company’s website and read everything about it.”

“Of course.” She looked around. Her hand never left the inside of her purse, probably keeping close to her gun. Her gaze swept the stable where she’d insisted she enter first, taking in every corner as if she’d expected someone to hide there, sending him a reminder that he should be vigilant, as well. “Including praises in the media, of which there was a lot. You never mentioned it to me. You must be even more humble than I am.”

“I just wanted you to see the person in me.” He’d visited the ranch, but rarely, so he let the horses get used to his scent before moving forward. Then he watched for the signs that the mama horses were nervous, like flaring nostrils or a swishing tail. “Not multiple zeros in a bank account.”

“Your status used to be a minus for me, not a plus.” Her expression changed as she saw the two little fillies. “Oooooh, they are so adorable. May I touch one of them?”

“Just be careful. These little girls have protective mamas.” He pulled out a pack of carrots from his pocket and handed a small one to Rachel. “Horses can’t see right in front of them or behind them, so if you’re in their blind spot, they can kick out of a sense of protection.”

“Got it.” She stared at the lonely carrot in her hand. “Just one? I want to feed this baby well.”

He chuckled as he offered the mama horse a carrot, which she lipped from his fingers. “Horses’ digestive systems are sensitive, and too many fruits or vegetables can cause them colic.” He hid a frown at the memories of him and his brothers taking care of colicky horses. “Especially when horses are so little.”

“My bad. Oh, look at it. She’s eating the carrot! She’s doing it!” Rachel squealed with such delight as if she’d seen the filly paint a masterpiece. “She’s not supposed to drink her mother’s milk any longer?”

“No, she was turned out.” Tex’s insides warmed as he patted the mama horse, but he couldn’t look away from Rachel and the filly. If he were an artist, he’d paint the smiling Rachel with her luscious hair flowing over her shoulders, feeding the filly, and it would be the best masterpiece in the world. But she was more precious than a masterpiece or a diamond necklace, for that matter.

His soul stirred like it had never done before.

She stroked the filly’s forehead, then caught his gaze. “You look happy here. I’ve never seen you smiling so brightly.” She paused. “I know you love your job. And you achieved so much. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. This is a good place to spend a vacation. Or a weekend.”

He stepped closer to her, nearly forgetting not to get into the horse’s blind spot himself. He could be flying out of the stable. “The reason I look so happy right now isn’t just because of the place, though there’s that. It’s becauseyouare in it.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh.”

He hoped for more than “oh,” but he’d take it. He wouldn’t pressure her. He just wanted her to know how he felt. No more masks, no more reservations.

Tex picked up the grooming basket and walked to the first stall. Might as well make himself useful. “Would you like to groom a filly? While I groom her mama?”

She brightened. “I’d love to.”

After he showed her which brushes to use, her strokes were gentle, but a line formed between her eyebrows. “I need to tell you something I found out. But first, what did you think of Irene Bruzlin?”

He chose his words carefully as he brushed dirt from the Appaloosa’s coat. “She seems to have a sharp mind and a steel will, but it’s clear she cares about you.”

The vertical line on her forehead deepened, but she ironed it out as she brushed the older filly. “I hope I won’t betray her by what I’m about to say. But first, why didn’t she tell me our company handled security at your charity hall? She had access to the cameras.”

It needled his memory. “She might’ve forgotten or didn’t think it was important to pass along that information.” He changed the brushes. Ms. Bruzlin mattered to Rachel, and he’d hate to see Rachel disappointed.

She took a softer brush, as well. “You see, many years ago, I saw a coat of arms in her living room and asked her about it. She said she could track her ancestry through many generations and she’s related to nobility. Not kings, but still noble blood. She’s proud of her ancestry. So after learning the legend about the necklace, I looked up that coat of arms.”

It clicked in his brain, and he stopped brushing. “Was it the same as the rebellious noble family in the legend?”

“Yes.” Rachel sat on the stable floor as she started brushing the filly’s mane. “I found a rare portrait of the son who disappeared. I might be jumping to conclusions here, but his features and Irene’s seemed somewhat similar.”

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