The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty Read Free Page A

her to the barn and stalls lining the aisles. “I’m about as outside a source as there is. I know nothing about horses.” Apparently realizing that might sound insulting, he added, “But even a rank amateur can see that you handle them very well.”
    He was making small talk. Which didn’t quite fit with the image she’d developed of him. It made her wonder what was really going on, why he’d suddenly approached her. For lessons, of all things. Her defenses finally shifted more firmly back into place. “They are complex and intriguing creatures.” As are you , she could have added, but didn’t. He might wear his clothes with an elegant nonchalance that exuded an unspoken confidence, but there was that raw edge to him that was far more wild mustang than refined thoroughbred. Complex creature, indeed. “But, even so, they’re easier to figure out than people.” She hadn’t meant to give voice to that last part and braced herself as he swung his gaze back to hers.
    â€œI’ll agree with you there,” he said, looking directly at her again. “People are easily the most complex creatures on the planet.”
    Her body tightened under his steady regard. Intense was an understatement with him. Even up close, his eyes were midnight black, with a laser-like intensity that bore into hers in a way she’d never encountered before. She’d definitely be wise never to underestimate him, in or out of his element.
    â€œNo matter how long you know somebody, you never truly know it all,” he finished.
    â€œNo,” she said, damning the tight note in her voice. Just as with the four-legged animals she trained, the first rule with any animal was show no fear . But the second rule was show no overt aggression . A delicate balance at times. So she let her gaze casually, or what she hoped was casually, drift out toward the surrounding paddock, breaking his visual hold on her. Or at least hers on him. “I don’t imagine you ever really do.” Something she fervently prayed held true for her where he, or anyone else at Dalton Downs, was concerned.
    And then it occurred to her…was that why he was out here? Had he, or someone here, managed to find out something more about her past? Wouldn’t Kate have confronted her directly, though? She wasn’t sure how the hierarchy worked here with Trinity and Kate’s separate enterprise, but Kate didn’t strike her as the type to let someone else handle her personal business, much less dictate her hiring practices.
    â€œBut I came out here to talk to you about horses, not people.”
    She tried not to slump in relief. “I’ll be glad to help you in any way that I can.”
    She glanced at him in time to see him set his jaw a little. As if he wasn’t quite sure how to broach what he wanted to say next. Nerves? She wondered what on earth a man like him could have to be nervous about. Couldn’t be her. She was quite comfortable in her own skin, and made no apologies for her lack of feminine wiles, but she was also well aware that nerve-inducing she was not.
    â€œGood,” he said, then shifted his weight a little before continuing. “You can teach someone to ride, can’t you?”
    â€œI—I suppose I could. If it’s just the basics you want, I can probably handle that.” Though any of Kate’s instructors would be better suited. Of course, maybe he didn’t want to ask a favor of them. She was the new hire, after all. “Can I ask why you’ve decided to take lessons?” She knew Mac and Finn both rode, as she’d seen the two of them, and Kate, head out before. She assumed, with his constant attention on her and the stables, that he rode, too, but apparently not.
    â€œI never had the chance to spend much time around horses growing up. None, actually, if you don’t count summer camp. I figure it’s time I changed