“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I laugh and step away.
In time for Roxy to appear with a tray of chocolate-glazed donuts.
Noah steps back, attempting to look innocent.
“Have either of you found anyone yet who can help me with the horses?” I ask.
Roxy shakes her head. “No, but I do know someone who might be interested when he returns to Copper Creek in two weeks. So if you’re still looking…”
My insides feel like a balloon that has been untied, and the air is slowly released. I was hoping to have found Lady and Scoundrel a new home well before then.
Which means I’m still stuck cleaning the stable. Unless…
“I’ll definitely keep him in mind if I still need someone in two weeks.” I look at Noah.
He shrugs. “Sorry, I don’t know anyone who would be interested.”Right—except that spark of mischief in his eyes suggests otherwise. “But I was able to arrange for someone to remove the Thunderbird off your property. He’ll be there Tuesday.”
“So what are you planning to do with it anyway? Sell it for scrap metal?”
“Are you almost finished here?” He nods toward where I was sitting a few minutes ago.
“Almost. I was just asking Meg and Tilly questions about Charlotte.”
“All right, I’ll meet you out front in ten minutes.” He winks at me again and leaves the bakery. A trail of whispering fromallthe women in the store follows him.
Tilly is grinning at me. Meg rubs her hands together, an identical expression on her face.
Why do I have a feeling that’s not a good thing?
11
Noah
Kate emerges from the bakery.She’s wearing body-hugging jeans, a red tank top, and matching red shoes.
Shit, she’s gorgeous.
Gorgeous, but too much like Samantha.
Money is the center of her world—and her world will never fit in Copper Creek.
My truck is parked in front of the store and I wave at her. She spots me and waves back.
She climbs into the vehicle and fastens her seat belt. “So where are we going?”
“To my ranch.”
“Do you live there?”
I put the truck in drive and pull away from the curve. “Yes, with my brothers, my sister-in-law, my nephew, Deacon, and my future sister-in-law.”
“You all live in the same house?”
“Fortunately, it’s a big house. But yes, and it will be more crowded once Violet and Sophie start popping out lots of babies. It’s a good thing I’m planning to remain single and kid-free, or else the place won’t be big enough for all of us.”
“How come you don’t want kids?” she asks.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love kids. Deacon is a blast. But love takes trust. And trust isn’t something I easily give.” Not anymore. Not after Samantha.
