Once Upon a Valentine Read Free Page A

else…as if he had no intention of being pulled back into a small-town lifestyle. His stance worried her because it didn’t bode well for the future of the Mane Squeeze Ranch and stables.
    She bit her lip. It also threatened to spoil her own personal fairy tale that Andrew MacMillan would return to Tiny and sweep her off her bare feet. To be sure, just looking at the man made her realize how quickly her teenage crush could balloon into full-fledged infatuation.
    No, it was clear that Andrew MacMillan had outgrown Tiny…but maybe he would be in town long enough to satisfy her burning curiosity about what it would be like to spend one night under that big, strapping body of his.
    He turned his head and glanced up to the balcony and she stepped back, lest he think she was watching him.
    She jogged downstairs and headed toward the front door. Gabby sat at the top of the stairs, loudly venting last-minute complaints that made Summer smile. On the way out, she grabbed a soft cotton lead line from an assortment of tack hanging on a coatrack. As she strode across the front yard, she noticed man and horse were facing off, neither one of them moving. Truman sat, still planted, but whining to be released from obedience.
    She approached Max with soothing noises. “Are you missing Barber?” she asked the aged horse. “Did you decide to look for him?” He whinnied softly as she slipped the lead rope over his thick neck. “C’mon, old man, let’s go home.”
    She tugged him in the direction of the Mane Squeeze and he grudgingly turned and plodded after her. Andrew whistled for Truman, then retrieved something from the car and caught up to her with long strides. Under his arm, he carried a metal urn.
    “I assume those are your father’s ashes?” she said.
    He nodded, his expression wry. “He wanted them spread over the farm.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me. He loved it so.”
    Andrew didn’t comment, just fell into step next to her. His shiny black dress shoes were in stark contrast to her scuffed brown boots. She was aware of every inch of him moving beside her, especially after they’d already had an up-close moment. Her heart rate accelerated, and her breathing felt constricted. Her mind raced for something to say, but she was also sensitive to the fact that, in light of his recent loss, he might prefer silence. The horse trudged behind them at a snail’s pace.
    “Do you live out here alone?” he asked, glancing around.
    She shrugged. “I’m alone in the house, but the animals keep me company. Your father kept an eye on me after my parents passed.”
    “He spoke of you often. He appreciated your help in the stables.”
    “I helped Barber when I could. I work at the State Park five days a week,” she offered, in case he thought she’d been mooching off his father.
    “What do you do there?”
    “My title is Community Relations Coordinator, but I basically do whatever the general manager needs for me to do. Your father told me you work in advertising?”
    “That’s right.”
    He didn’t seem to want to elaborate, which made her feel as if he thought she wouldn’t understand his job. Whatever.
    Truman bounded ahead, then back, presenting Andrew with a found stick.
    “Fetch is his favorite game,” she offered.
    He obligingly took the stick that dripped with drool and gave it a toss, then withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his hand. A white business card whipped out and fell to the ground. Summer recognized it instantly as Tessa Hadley’s agent card.
    He bent to retrieve the card and slipped it back in his pocket.
    “So you’re going to sell the Mane Squeeze?” she asked, unable to keep the censure out of her voice.
    “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
    “But what about the horses?” she blurted.
    His mouth tightened. “How many horses are in the stables now?”
    “Nine.”
    His eyes widened. “Nine? There were only two the last time I was here.”
    “Things have been tight