7. Hailey

SEVEN

"Beginning next month, I'd like to add an additional fifteen minutes of instruction before trail rides."

Sherry, the equestrian activity coordinator, scrawled the notes on her iPad. We stood in the big, open middle section of the stables running through the typical processes taken with guests when they interacted with the horses and discussing how we might improve systems.

"I know we can't require hours of riding lessons because they're going to grow impatient, but the more training they have, the safer it is for both our guests and horses," I added.

"I fully agree, but Kassandra might have something to say about it." Sherry tucked an errant strand of black hair behind her ear, chewing at the end of her stylus as she studied her notes.

Kassandra was the resort director, and of course, her main priority was the comfort and experience of the guests.

I was certain this lent itself to both their enjoyment and their safety.

"If she has an issue, I'll talk to her about it. Besides, in my experience, most people who come to a guest ranch love the idea of behind the scenes, anyway. So, let's present it as that…getting the inside to the actual workings of a ranch. We'll bring them into the stables and show them around and give safety tips as we do. We can even offer specific activities centered around learning about the care of a horse."

"Oh, I like that idea."

"Great. Get that on the schedule for next month's activity flyer, and I'll go over the details with the guides. Please let me know what Kassandra says."

"I will."

"Thank you, Sherry."

"Of course. I'm excited about the changes you have planned. I think it's going to be a true benefit to the resort."

Pride swelled, but I shored it away, watching as she turned and ducked out the main stable entrance which had monstrous double-metal doors. They were situated right in the center of the building, and they'd been left wide open to overlook the grounds and the lodge in the distance.

A slight breeze whispered in from outside, a balm to the heat that saturated the air, and I could hear shrieks and laughter coming from children who were playing in the pool. The energy was both calm and invigorated.

Peace fell over me, this intrinsic contentedness that I'd made the right choice. Coming home. This was where I'd always belonged, even though I'd been fearful that I might be consumed by the ghosts waiting for my return.

I'd set my laptop on the high wooden table that rested along a metal partition. The table served as the check-in station for guests, and I turned my focus to tapping out a few notes about the meeting with Sherry, so engrossed as I leaned over the table that I could have missed the shift in the atmosphere.

Okay, maybe there was absolutely no chance that I could have missed it.

The way a brand-new tension curled through the space.

An awareness that flashed.

Both suffocating and light.

Like warm streaks of sunlight were spearing into my back and prodding all the way to the soul.

I did my best to act like I didn't notice he was there until a rough chuckle skated over me from behind. "I see you are already whipping this place into shape."

Steeling myself, I looked over my shoulder.

The steeling bit didn't work. Not even a little bit.

Because all the air heaved from my lungs when I found him casually strolling my way, wearing another plain white tee that stretched and strained with each step that he took, jeans clinging to those thighs, and dusty boots that promised the man did more than an honest day's work.

But it was that gilded gaze taking me in that nearly did me in. The way the rust-colored flecks seemed to lap like the warming of flames.

He must have shaved since the last time I'd seen him two days ago, and now his strong jaw was covered in a short brown stubble.

His lips quirked up at the side.

So easy.

So casual.

As if the moment he'd left me shaken in my bedroom hadn't occurred—as if there'd been no tension and it hadn't felt like my heart was getting shattered all over again—as he sauntered up with his big hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.

I finally gathered myself enough to speak. "I'm just going through some of the practices here and seeing where we can improve things."

"Pretty sure you being here is definitely improving things." Playful suggestion filled his voice.

A scowl came unbidden, the natural instinct to protect myself from him. "Don't you have enough to keep you busy that you shouldn't feel the need to come in here distracting me from my work?"

He smirked as he angled the rest of the way up behind me, coming so close that I was inundated with his scent.

Spice and cedar and earth.

"What, you weren't missing me?" He breathed the tease at the shell of my ear.

Chills lifted on the nape of my neck.

Whipping around to face him, I backed up a step to put some space between us. "Now, why would I be missing you?"

I shouldn't even grant him that, but the question was out before I could process the consequence.

Begging for the things that would hurt me in the end.

He hiked a massive shoulder to his ear where those stupidly adorable curls peeked out from under his cap. "Well, I was missing you, so I thought you might be feeling the same."

Exasperation shook my head.

Such a player, feeding me those lines.

"I don't need you coming around here toying with me. I have work to do, the same as you."

"I thought you might want to have lunch with me."

Air huffed from my nose. "I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Cooper."

His eyes crinkled at the corners. "And why not? Everyone has to eat."

"Because I know the type of games men like you play, and I don't have time for that."

Not the time or the space or the inclination to get my heart trampled. He could. So easily. Just him standing there felt like he was peeling back a scab to reveal a wound. Worst was the way my reaction to him felt like I was committing a mortal betrayal.

He rocked back on his heels, head canting to the side. "And what kind of games might those be?"

I scoffed. "Don't act like you don't know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't do one-night stands, Mr. Cooper."

I froze when I suddenly felt another presence cut into the atmosphere, and I turned my attention to the left to find my father standing in the middle of the yawning stable doors. Protectiveness lined his features as his attention jumped between me and Cody.

Cody followed my line of sight, and the second he saw him, he went rigid, like we were teenagers who'd been caught in a sordid position. He edged two steps back, sucking in a deep breath before he tipped his head my way. "I'll see you around, Hailey."

He waltzed off, heading for the far door at the end of the stalls, though he pulled off his cap and squeezed the brim together as he passed by my father. "Mr. Wagner," he said, voice a low rumble that tumbled through me.

"Cody," my father returned, probably a little cooler than necessary. I could still remember my father's warnings. Stay away from him, Hailey. That guy is trouble. The real kind of trouble. I mean it when I say I don't want you anywhere near him.

But I'd been little more than a child then.

Eighteen, though I might as well have been a twelve-year-old suffering a crush. God knew the paltry number of experiences I'd failed to rack up by then.

I didn't realize my stare was stuck on Cody's retreating form until my father cleared his throat.

When I looked his direction, he was standing two feet away.

I could only pray my tongue wasn't hanging out.

I pinned the brightest smile on my face which wasn't all that hard to find. "Hey, Dad. What are you doing here?"

His returning smile was easy as he leaned in to peck a kiss to my cheek. He wore jeans and a striped button-down with the top two buttons undone. His style was always that of polished casualness, oozing power without having to exert it. "I have an appointment with the horse buyer and thought I'd swing by to see my favorite girl first."

I leaned in for a hug, and he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close the way he always did.

"I'm really glad you did," I whispered. God, I loved that I was here. That I was able to have these moments with him again. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it until I was standing right here.

He pulled away, though he held onto me by the sides of my shoulders as he studied me, blue eyes soft as he took me in.

My father was as handsome as they came. Brown hair thick and wavy, only the slightest bit of gray teasing at his temples.

He was also smart.

Determined.

Crazy successful.

I respected the crap out of him.

"How is the new job treating you?" he asked.

I let my gaze wander the stables, again struck with the satisfaction that brimmed. "It's amazing, honestly. I love it here."

"Good to hear." Concern pinched his brow. "They aren't working you too hard, are they? I can have a word with?—"

"Absolutely not. I can handle myself."

I swore, there'd never come a day that he didn't think of me as eight years old. The proof of it came in full force when he angled his head down the long row of stalls where Cody had disappeared, voice curling with disgust. "And what the hell is he doing here?"

"He's just a contractor who's working a landscape project. He came to get my approval to start digging out around one of the pastures. I can handle him."

And now I was lying to him like I was sixteen. Pathetic, considering I was twenty-four, had a child, had been married and seeking a divorce.

Maybe lying to my father about men came naturally since I'd spent so much time hiding the truth of my marriage from him. The truth of who Pruitt was. At first, I'd not wanted to believe it myself before it'd become a dirty secret.

A secret I'd been chained to.

One that had festered and decayed.

A rotted pit where I refused to go under.

So, I'd left Pruitt, praying I had enough on him that he would never dare try to touch me, all while feeling despicable that I didn't have enough courage to actually use the evidence against him.

Hold him accountable.

Expose who he was.

Instead, I'd come here, free but a hostage. Captive to this fear. Trepidation and alarm roiling in my spirit. Constantly looking behind me waiting for my choice to catch up, for the veiled threats Pruitt had made to manifest as real.

"Watch out for him," my father said, referring to Cody when he had no idea who was really the danger. "You know I don't trust him."

The warning rang between us, the memory of that summer when Cody had been working on his ranch so distant yet so distinct.

It was a time that was carved in the middle of me like the branding of scars.

"You don't have to worry about me."

Frowning, my father squeezed my shoulders tighter. "I always worry about you." He hesitated, then pushed into the territory that I kept blockaded. "Pruitt called me. He's worried about you, too."

He might as well have driven a blade through the center of my chest.

I bit it back because my father didn't know. I couldn't blame him when I'd kept him in the dark. I did my best to keep it together when I said, "Pruitt doesn't have a right to be concerned about me any longer."

My father's brow pinched. "I still don't understand, Hailey. He is a good man. Provided for you and Madison. Loved you like crazy. And he still does. He's worried sick about you. Maybe you should?—"

"Please, don't say it," I cut him off. Disquiet jackhammered my heart, the beating so loud that it roared in my ears, thick as it pounded through my blood.

I wanted to confess it so he would understand. Tell him so he would stop urging me to go back to Pruitt, the way he had been doing since I'd left him.

Pruitt Russel had looked good on paper.

He had put on a dazzling front for my father that he'd been completely blinded by the same way as I'd been when I'd first met him.

Successful.

Rich.

Powerful.

My father had more than approved.

I guessed I'd been enamored, too. Glamoured, maybe. Blinded by the young owner of a gorgeous ranch in Austin, where I'd taken a position to work with horses, who'd taken an interest in me. I'd been desperate for anything that made me feel good after the tragedy that had befallen me here, and I'd all but run away in search of something better.

I'd somehow thought that was Pruitt.

But so many times what looked good on paper didn't take into account what happened behind closed doors. Under the surface. In the secreted places that whispered of wickedness and atrocities.

"I need you to let it go," I whispered.

My father's throat bobbed as he swallowed, and he slowly nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just want to help you…fix this."

Pain pealed through my insides, the clanging of chains, and I lifted my chin, refusing to look away when I said, "I already did."

He ran his thumbs over my arms where he still held onto me. "Okay, we won't talk about this right now."

I wanted to tell him we wouldn't talk about it ever.

It was dead and buried.

I would never go back to Pruitt.

But I figured I'd take what I could get right then.

"I'm really happy you're doing so well here. That you're back in your element." His gaze was soft as he looked around the stables. "Though I still don't understand why you refused to come and work for me."

"I think it's time I spread my wings a little bit, don't you? Stood on my own?"

"It doesn't have a thing to do with you standing on your own. I'm just jealous Cambrey Pines got the best stable manager in the west." His smile was soft.

Affection swelled, pushing at my ribs. "Thank you, Dad. You really don't know what that means to hear you say that."

"I mean it." He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. "All right, I'd better let you get back to work. Bring Maddie by soon?"

"I will."

He tapped the knuckle of his index finger on my chin. "Love you."

"Forever," I told him, and he turned and strode down the hall that led to the backside of the stables where the offices were located.

I watched him go, trying to regulate my breathing. To calm the riot that clattered through my being.

Only that riot erupted into chaos when my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see the message that was waiting.

It was only a number, the sender not in my contacts, but I knew who it was the second I read it.

Unknown

Who said I wanted a one-night stand?

My stomach tightened, and in an instant, my blood felt too hot.

I should ignore it. Block his number. Tell him how wildly inappropriate he was being using my number for personal reasons when that business card had been meant for work purposes only.

But no, instead, I foolishly glanced around all covert-like to ensure no one was around before I tapped out a reply. Apparently, playing with fire was my thing.

Me

And what made you believe I want anything from you at all?

It took all of two seconds for another text to blip through.

Unknown

Do you think I can't feel it? The way every molecule in your body reacts when I get close? Don't fool yourself, Shortcake.

Unbelievable.

He had to be the most arrogant man I'd ever met.

Too bad every single one of those molecules trembled right then.

Me

Believe me, Cowboy, I have zero interest.

I was far too eager waiting on his reply, staring at my phone for so long that when a text did come through, I frowned at what it said.

Unknown

Yeah. That's what I thought.

That's when I felt it. The stir in the air. I followed the enchantment of it, my attention traveling to the far end of the stables. In the distance, I saw him leaning against a stall, one boot kicked back on the gate as he smirked my way.

Thinking he'd caught me red-handed.

My teeth ground and my fingers flew across the screen.

Me

I'd suggest you get back to work, Mr. Cooper. You wouldn't want to be caught slacking off, flirting with the staff. It wouldn't look good.

I put as much spite into it as I could, an undercut of warning, even though there wasn't a chance that I would report him.

I could feel the low roll of a chuckle that was too far away to actually hear permeate the space.

A lure.

A trap.

Unknown

You tell yourself what you need to, Shortcake. I'll be right here when you're willing to admit it.

I wanted to screech or maybe stamp my foot in frustration the way Maddie did when she didn't get her way.

Because the man was infuriating.

I glanced around again to make sure no one was around before I turned back to where Cody loitered in the distance. When I found no one around, I lifted my hand and gave him the finger.

There.

Maybe he'd get the message then.

Only I could see his chest jerk with laughter, amusement shaking his head as he pushed from the gate. He turned his back to me and strode for the doors at the end of the stables.

So tall and overbearing, the ground vibrating below him.

He pushed out, and the bright glare of the sun swallowed him whole as he walked out.

One second later, the door slammed shut behind him, and metal clanked in the distance.

I gritted my teeth to stop myself from making something more of the interaction than I should.

To stop myself from letting my mind wander into what that might be like.

Letting him touch me.

Tingles raced, and I squeezed my hands into fists. I needed to stop that train right then.

Kill the idea before it started.

I looked back at his messages, not knowing if I was more annoyed or aroused.

Block him.

Block him.

It was the obvious, logical choice.

But what did I do?

I tapped on his number and saved him in my contacts as CC.

Cody Cooper.

Cocky Cowboy.

I guessed they both worked.