Page 10 of The Texan's Secrets

“Are you ready to ride?” he asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She’d been horseback riding a few times since moving to Royal, but she was very much a beginner.

“Rafe said he’ll give you a gentle horse.”

“Rafe?” She fell into step beside Nick.

“He’s my good friend, a member of the Cortez-Williams family.”

“Rafe Cortez-Williams?” The name surprised her, and Royal suddenly seemed like a very small town. “The owner of RCW Steakhouse?”

“Yes.”

“What a coincidence. My roommate works in the restaurant industry.”

“You don’t say.”

“She’s been at Chez Verte for about a year now. She met Rafe—saw him at an industry function of some kind.”

Another beat went by before Nick responded. “He’s a good guy.”

Nick fell oddly quiet then as they made their way down a pathway to the back of the house and beyond where they came to a barn. It was long and low, with butter-yellow walls and a peaked green roof. A huge set of doors were open in the center.

They stepped inside the hollow-feeling interior, and Nick, looking pensive, pointed to a bench. “Take a seat, and I’ll go find Rafe.”

Emilia was surprised at being left behind. She was curious to see the rest of the barn and would have liked to tag along.

“I’ll just be a couple of minutes,” he said.

“Sure. Okay.” Feeling slightly uncomfortable at his apparent turn in mood, Emilia perched on the wooden bench.

Things had started off so positively, and now he’d all but ditched her to talk to his friend in private. Was he going to ask Rafe to make an excuse to get him out of the date?

Pessimistic scenarios built up in her mind while the minutes ticked past.

She was about to slip out of the barn and head for home when the two men appeared around a corner. She studied Nick’s expression as they approached, trying to gauge his level of regret.

“Emilia,” the other man opened with a broad smile. “I’m Rafe.” He looked at home on the ranch, tall and lean with an undeniably handsome bronze complexion.

She realized she’d seen him from a distance one night while dining at his steak house.

She stood and accepted his handshake. “Nice to meet you, Rafe. I’ve enjoyed your restaurant.”

“Thanks. Nick says you’ve ridden a few times?”

Emilia slid her gaze to Nick, but his expression was neutral, and she couldn’t guess his mood. “We don’t have to go too far.” She tried to offer him an out.

“We can always turn back if you get tired,” he said levelly.

“I’ve saddled Belle-Blue for her,” Rafe said to Nick.

Nick nodded thoughtfully. “I thought we’d take the river trail to the shelter.” To Emilia, he said, “It’s wide and level with beautiful vistas.”

“If you’re sure about this.” She wished he’d smile. If he smiled like he had on the porch, she’d feel like he really wanted to go on this ride.

His brows drew together instead, looking puzzled.

“Good choice,” Rafe said heartily. “Let’s get you two going.”

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