She barely nodded. “Yeah.
“Well, let’s get this injured horse to the sanctuary, shall we?”
The Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary, located in Lander, Wyoming, was one of four public off-range equine refuges in the nation, and the only one located on an Indian reservation. The sanctuary included a visitor center that featured a curated, interpretive display describing the importance of the horse in the culture and traditions of Native Americans, as well as the history of wild horses in North America.
She’d visited while chaperoning a field trip for Camille’s class.
On the way, she turned to Whit. “You think that leg’s going to heal up?”
He beat his thumb against the steering wheel, clearly sharing her concern. “No doubt, that was a nasty gash. With some strong antibiotics and a little care, the horse should be good as new physically.”
She dared another glance at the rolled-up sleeve on his arm that barely concealed his bulging bicep. “But?”
He slowly brushed his fingers across his stubbled chin and gave her another of those looks—this time staring intensely into her face. “No doubt pain can change an animal.”
Suddenly, Lila didn’t think they were talking about the horse anymore. “Are you implying something here? Because if you’ve got something to say, I invite you to just spit it.”
Her new boss could have heard any number of things from the townspeople, especially Nicola Cavendish. She was a woman who could never be trusted.
“Nothing, it’s just?—”
“Just what?” she demanded.
His eyes softened. “Nothing.”
“What did you hear?”
Whit didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Finally, he cleared his throat and glanced over at Lila, his voice growing gentle. “I heard about your husband. I’m so sorry for your loss. It must’ve been tough, being alone all these years.”
Lila’s eyes flashed with a mix of surprise and indignation. “Alone? I haven’t been alone. I’ve had my daughter, my friends, my work. Just because I haven’t been in a relationship with a man doesn’t mean my life hasn’t been full.”
Whit held up one of his hands in a placating gesture. “I didn’t mean it like that, Lila. I just meant…it can’t be easy. That’s all.”
Lila’s posture relaxed slightly, but her voice remained firm. “I know you didn’t. But I don’t need anyone to feel sorry for me.”
Whit’s jaw stiffened and he gave a slight nod. “Understood.”
The tension hung in the air, heavy and palpable, as the afternoon light began to fade. Lila turned her gaze out the truck window, watching rays of sunlight paint the distant mountains in hues of blue and purple. She took a deep breath, the beauty of the landscape offering a moment of solace.
They continued driving in silence, the truck rumbling down the dirt road toward the horse sanctuary. The quiet between them was thick, filled with unspoken words and lingering frustration. As they approached the sanctuary, the sight of the horses grazing peacefully in the pasture brought a brief sense of calm to Lila’s mind.
“Look, I know you didn’t mean any harm,” she finally said, breaking the silence. “But my life is good. I don’t need anyone thinking otherwise.”
Whit nodded, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “I get it. I really do.”
As they pulled into the sanctuary, the truck came to a slow stop. Lila unbuckled her seat belt, her movements deliberate and firm. She turned to look at Whit, a mixture of frustration and confusion still swirling within her. There was something about him—an attraction that got under her skin in a way she hadn’t felt in years. An appeal that had her unnerved.
“Well, here we are,” Whit said quietly.
Lila’s eyes drifted to the horizon. “Yeah, here we are.”
They exited the truck together, the mountain air cool and still. As they walked toward the sanctuary gates, Lila couldn’t shake the feeling that this unexpected partnership was going to be more complicated than she had ever anticipated.
18
Afew days later, Lila pulled her car into an already packed parking area at Teton Trails Guest Ranch. “My goodness,” she muttered, looking for a spot.
“There’s a space,” Camille called out, pointing.
