Secret Temptation [The Callens 3] (Siren Publishing M?nage Everlasting) Read Free Page A

she turned the corner to reach the stalls, Randy was loading feed into the horse’s bucket. He sure seemed able to talk a lot when no one was around to answer.
    “Hey, Randy.” She put as much enthusiasm into her tone as she could but sound sophisticated at the same time.
    He put down the feed, dusted his hands, and turned around. There was no surprise in his eyes. “Can I help you?”
    This wasn’t the reception she’d hoped for after staying away for a couple of days, but at least he faced her. “I was wondering if you could spare some time to teach me to ride?”
    His chuckle came out silent. “No.”
    Her question might not have been couched correctly. “When would be a good time?” She didn’t want to come off as demanding or entitled.
    “I’m hired to care for the horses. Nothing more.”
    So that was how it was going to be. “How about if I ask my father to hire you to teach me?” Dad would be thrilled if she learned proper riding technique. She could get around on a horse, but her legs throbbed and her pussy ached after half an hour in the saddle.
    “Go ahead, but he’ll find you someone more suitable, I bet.”
    Damn . He was probably right. She stepped closer. The warm scent of hay and feed wafted in the air. “Did I do something to piss you off?”
    “You were born to Mr. and Mrs. Callen.” He turned his back to her, picked up the feed, and walked to the next stall.
    So, he had an issue with some class distinction, though she didn’t understand why. Given the size of the home he used to live in, she suspected his net worth would be in an acceptable range even for her father. “I’m not asking you out on a date. I just would like for you to show me how to ride without getting thrown.”
    “No.” He didn’t even react to her being thrown comment.
    No man was going to turn her down without the courtesy of a discussion. She could play one man against the other. “Fine.” She spun around in search of her father.
    She found her dad in his den on the computer. Spreadsheets filled the screen.
    “Knock, knock.”
    He turned in his chair and smiled. “April. Come to learn about the running of the ranch?” Clearly, he was challenging her lie from before.
    She had said she was interested in knowing more. “I think I’ll leave the finances to you. Actually, I thought it was time I learn to ride. I mean, learn to ride well.”
    He cocked a brow. “Why?”
    Telling as much of the truth as possible was always the key. “This morning, I signed a lease for an apartment. I thought it was time to get out on my own.”
    While her father hid his dismay, from the way his shoulders sagged and his chest caved a bit, the news took him by surprise. “You sure you want to leave this?” He waved a hand.
    She sat in the chair next to the desk. “Yes and no. When I drove back from getting the place, a bit of melancholy grabbed me. I want my own place, but I want to come back here, too. I realized that in all these years, I never really explored the ranch. I thought now would be a good time.” She reached out and clasped his hands. “I know it’s going to be hard for you and Mom to be in this big house alone, but I promise I’ll visit every weekend. If I could learn to like riding, it would be an added incentive to be here.”
    All of that was true. She just left out the part about getting to know Randy.
    “I can show you a thing or two about riding.”
    She laughed. “You’re busy. Besides, if I remember, you tried to teach me how to drive. Remember how that worked out.” He’d made her so nervous that one time she ran the truck into a ditch and broke its axle.
    “You have a point.”
    She didn’t want to be the one to suggest Randy. That would be too obvious. “I could go to Sam’s dude ranch and have her people teach me, but she’s probably busy with her clients. I wouldn’t want her to give up revenue for me.”
    He scratched his chin. “I bet that new fellow could give you some pointers.