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

bottle of water on the floor and took a sip. He replaced the cap and placed the bottle back on the floor.
    An awkward silence followed until she answered, “So are you.”
    “I always wake early, Miss Reynolds.”
    He looked tired as if he hadn’t slept well. Could be because he wasn’t accustomed to a soft, comfortable bed. Perhaps he was having flashbacks about what ever tragedy brought him to Twelve Oaks Farm. More than likely it was the war that kept him up at night. All the killing would have affected a person’s conscience.
    She took a deep sustaining breath. The man made her extremely nervous. Just the way he watched her caused her heart to flutter. He had a disconcerting way of looking at her as if she had a secret and he knew what that secret might be. She felt the color seep into her cheeks. He probably thought she was some silly woman afraid of her own shadow. Nina swallowed hard. Her pride was in shambles because the man had her acting like she had never seen a man without his shirt.
    She averted her eyes and picked at an imaginary piece of dirt on her arm. Determined not to stare at his muscular body, she took a step back and fumbled for the doorknob. “I have a lot of work awaiting me. I’d better get to it.”
    Before she could get the door open he stood, took a step in her direction, and replied, “The offer still stands. I’ll be glad to help you.”
    “No, thank you.” After three attempts, she finally got the door open. “You finish your workout and enjoy your day.” His massive chest was all she saw as she turned and darted out the room. Forcing herself to walk, she shook her head. Not only was Grant Wilson insanely handsome but he also had the body of a Greek God.
    Grant smiled. Maybe he had a chance to warm up the ice princess after all. The total opposite of their encounter yesterday, she was gushing like a teenager with her first crush.
    He sat back against the bench, grabbed the weights from the floor, and lifted them over his head. He hadn’t been able to tempt her with his good looks or his charming ways, but she seemed interested in his chest. He would just have to take off his shirt every time she was in his presence, flex his muscles.
    ****
    The next morning, Grant heard snippets of conversation behind the barn when he stepped out on the small porch. He followed the sound and stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. Nina held fast to a huge bottle while a solid black baby goat sucked on the fat nipple. It couldn’t have been more than just a few days old. Milk dripped over the ground and onto her work boots as the baby goat’s greedy slurps broke the silence of the morning. She wore her usual attire of cut off jeans and a tank shirt. A thick, blond braid fell down her back.
    Shadow sat on his haunches watching the baby goat and Nina. She giggled and the sound was pleasant to his ears. “Slow down, Buttercup. I’m not going to take it away from you.”
    When Shadow saw him, he immediately moved to his side and offered a paw. “Good morning, Shadow.” He scratched the dog between the ears causing his long tail to wag. “And a glorious morning it is.”
    Nina’s eyes shifted to him and then quickly back to Buttercup. “You sound like you had a decent night’s sleep.”
    He lied. “Better.” He folded his arms on the top of the gate and asked, “Why are you having to bottle feed her?”
    “For some reason her mother has rejected her. Mabel has birthed many goats and never had a problem.” Her eyebrows drew together in confusion. “I don’t know what’s different about this one.” The bottle was empty and Nina had to tug to get Buttercup to release the rubber nipple. The goat jumped into Nina’s lap causing her to fall into the shavings that covered the floor of the stall.
    Before Grant could get the gate open to help her, she clambered to her feet. Buttercup still in her arms, she stoked the goat’s head several times before she sat her on the ground.