Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) Read Free

meal. Energized by the fresh air and knowing he wouldn’t have to kill someone today he smiled. Maybe the change in surroundings was just what he needed.
    “Good morning.”
    Grant opened his eyes to find Nina with a fifty pound bag of feed resting on her shoulder. Muscles bunched in her arms as she never broke stride and walked right past him. “Here, give me that.” He trotted to catch up with her. Pure, clear blue eyes peered up at him. Just like yesterday she wasn’t wearing any hint of makeup, but then she didn’t need any. She had a peaches-and-cream complexion and her lips were a perfect color of soft pink. She knew it would be useless to argue, so she let him take the bag.
    Wearing a tank shirt and cut off jeans almost identical to the clothes she wore yesterday, he couldn’t help but to watch the sway of her backside as she led the way. Nice and round, her bottom looked great in the shorts.
    “How did you sleep?”
    “Very well, thank you.” No reason to tell her he had nightmares and suffered from insomnia. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep from the day he had arrived in Iraq. The last and worst battle of his life would always be etched in his mind.
    Five adult bore goats and two kids waited at the trough for their breakfast. The moment he dumped the bag of feed in the trough they began to munch. Fat and healthy, it was obvious she took great care of her animals.
    Nina opened a plastic container, scooped some feed, and dumped it into the feed bucket attached to the stall where the black horse he saw that morning loudly stomped and whickered. Grant rubbed his hand over the white star on his face. “What’s his name?”
    “Midnight.”
    Waiting in the stall next to Midnight was the paint. Nina dumped feed into his bucket and proudly replied, “And this is Thunder.” She patted his neck as he ate the sweet feed. “You’re a good boy aren’t you?”
    “Are these your only horses?”
    “No, I have five others for trail riding. Midnight and Thunder are a little high strung and only the most experienced riders are allowed to take them out on the trail.” Her eyes lost their sparkle. “Midnight belonged to my father.”
    Even though he already knew her story, he pretended ignorance. Uncle Tate had divulged the tragedy of the car accident that killed her parents last year. “What happened to your father?”
    Tears pooled in her eyes, but she refused to let them escape. “My parents were killed by a drunk driver.” She squared her shoulders before turning around to face him. In a stiff, tight voice she replied, “I have much to do, other animals are waiting for their breakfast.”
    It was a prime time to gain her trust, but it seemed that was all the information she planned to give him. He jammed his hands in his jean pockets. “How about I give you a hand?”
    She arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow. “Mr. Wilson, you are here to relax and enjoy yourself. My farm does not concern you.”
    She turned on her heel and left him standing there wondering how he was going to get close to her if she was going to be so difficult. Women usually melted all over him. Nina Reynolds was definitely different from ladies he was accustomed too.

Chapter Two
     
    Fresh towels in hand, Nina opened the door and stepped into the front room of the barn. Intentions to leave the towels on the small sofa and leave, she was surprised when she heard a masculine voice. “Good morning.”
    She turned toward the sound. Sitting on the weight bench, she never seemed to have the time to use, was Grant. Shirtless, sweat glistened on his firm broad chest and bulging arms. It was clear that he was no stranger to heavy lifting. A three inch scar still swollen and puckered was the only thing that marred his perfect body. Nina assumed he had been injured while in Iraq. Weak in the knees, she felt the color on her cheeks.
    Dark brown eyes fixed on her. He smiled causing her heart to skip a beat. “You’re up early.” He opened the