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Her Small-Town Cowboy
Mia Ross


A Family for the TeacherLily St. George dreams of marriage and a family of her own. But as a temporary kindergarten teacher, she can’t get too attached to anyone in Oaks Crossing. When a student brings in her single father for show and tell, Lily is drawn to charming cowboy Mike Kinley. Working overtime to save his struggling horse farm, Mike claims to have no room in his life for love. But when they team up to start a riding school for children at his ranch, Lily knows she’ll have to help Mike see their partnership is meant to be permanent.







A Family for the Teacher

Lily St. George dreams of marriage and a family of her own. But as a temporary kindergarten teacher, she can’t get too attached to anyone in Oaks Crossing. When a student brings in her single father for show-and-tell, Lily is drawn to charming cowboy Mike Kinley. Working overtime to save his struggling horse farm, Mike claims to have no room in his life for love. But when they team up to start a riding school for children at his ranch, Lily knows she’ll have to help Mike see their partnership is meant to be permanent.


“Thanks for making time for me today,” Lily said with a smile.

“No problem,” Mike responded. “Sorry it wasn’t much of a riding lesson.”

The sweet smile warmed to something he didn’t quite understand. And wasn’t sure he wanted to.

“Actually, I learned a lot. About you.”

“Yeah? Like what?” he asked.

“That you don’t hesitate to put yourself in danger to help an animal when it’s in trouble. That says a lot about a person, don’t you think?”

“I guess so,” he hedged, feeling awkward and proud at the same time. He wasn’t used to being praised for simply being himself.

“Someone like that is just the person I want teaching me. Do you think you can work me into your schedule again soon?”

“How ’bout Monday at four?” he heard himself ask, cringing at the eager tone in his voice.

Since he couldn’t take it back, he did his best to act as if seeing her again that soon didn’t matter all that much one way or the other. When deep down, he knew it did matter. A lot.


MIA ROSS loves great stories. She enjoys reading about fascinating people, long-ago times and exotic places. But only for a little while, because her reality is pretty sweet. Married to her college sweetheart, she’s the proud mom of two amazing kids, whose schedules keep her hopping. Busy as she is, she can’t imagine trading her life for anyone else’s—and she has a pretty good imagination. You can visit her online at miaross.com (http://www.miaross.com).


Her Small-Town

Cowboy

Mia Ross




www.Harlequin.com (http://www.Harlequin.com)


Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

—Luke 6:37


For Ruth


Acknowledgments (#ulink_1f70c517-8c06-5df7-951a-14c23683a9df)

To the very talented folks who help me

make my books everything they can be:

Elaine Spencer, Melissa Endlich

and the dedicated staff at Love Inspired.

More thanks to the gang at Seekerville

(www.seekerville.net (http://www.seekerville.net)), a great place to hang out with readers—and writers.

I’ve been blessed with a wonderful network of supportive, encouraging family and friends. You inspire me every day!


Contents

Cover (#u185e4e73-9c8c-5fb6-95b4-6c76496ed694)

Back Cover Text (#ub9c44785-ad97-57ac-9af2-98b9bdb3d87c)

Introduction (#u9a682f5c-6b3b-5a61-bcd3-ef7c54c959fe)

About the Author (#u3dff477a-3dd0-556a-82ec-b14e3a187471)

Title Page (#u20321b55-5fcb-501e-9b44-e33d2281fccd)

Bible Verse (#udd2bcf14-ffba-51f0-a64d-cfbb86d3b8bc)

Dedication (#ufe109a80-5fe3-5a8d-9bc9-8944587ff4d8)

Acknowledgments (#ua0f39439-d3bf-5698-8192-9da62454acad)

Chapter One (#ud3baf17e-00cc-5b75-a58e-344b16ef3081)

Chapter Two (#u4ebaec1f-1721-5f8a-838f-41075940c5e4)

Chapter Three (#u73114d08-0bd4-5e4e-81f0-6bddd04b9caf)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)


Chapter One (#ulink_0c183b56-ad08-5466-8a5f-ca5583f5e477)

Mike Kinley hated weddings.

Maybe hate was a little strong, he amended as he guided a team of perfectly matched bays into the shade of a nearby oak tree. Setting the carriage’s brake with his boot, he glanced over at the gazebo where a photographer was taking shots of the bride and groom he’d just delivered. Poor kids, Mike thought with a grimace. They had no idea what they were in for.

Then again, neither had he. He’d done everything in his power to make Dana happy, and where did that get him? Divorced and wishing he’d listened to his head instead of his heart. Now he was thirty years old and working seven days a week desperately trying to hold up his end of a faltering family business. If they couldn’t come up with a way to bring in more cash—and soon—their shaky bottom line would crater to a depth they wouldn’t be able to recover from. They’d be forced to sell the place that generations of Kinleys had worked so hard to build up from a scenic bluegrass meadow to the well-respected Gallimore Stables. He and his brothers would be hunting for jobs, and his mother would lose the home she cherished so much. While Mike couldn’t deny that weddings brought in some much-needed revenue, they sure were tough on his nerves.

And seeing as it was early May in Kentucky, wedding season had only begun.

Hoping to get himself back to his usual even keel, he jumped down and took a small tackle box from the well where he rested his feet when he was driving. Taking out a soft cloth and brush, he began rubbing the horses down, talking as much to entertain himself as them.

“There’s my girl, Penny,” he cooed in a quiet voice. “We’ll get you shined up, and then it’s your turn, Ginger. Folks’ll want to pet you later on, so you’ve gotta be looking your best.”

Breaking his own strict rule about not feeding the horses, he slipped a hand into the pocket of the elegant morning coat his sister forced him to wear for these gigs and brought out a few sugar cubes for each of them. After they slurped down their treats, he ran his hands down their legs in a practiced motion, lifting their hooves to make sure no gravel from the estate’s pathways had gotten wedged into their shoes.

Satisfied that everything was okay, he stood between them and patted their outside shoulders. “Lookin’ good, ladies.”

In unison, the beautiful mares tossed their heads and whinnied back at him. Behind him, he heard a woman laugh. Careful not to startle the horses, he slowly turned to find a slender bridesmaid coming down the wide steps that led out to the gardens from one of the three reception halls. Wearing a pale blue dress that looked as if it was made of spun sugar, she seemed right at home in her elegant surroundings. A few curls had escaped her elaborate hairdo, framing a pair of sparkling eyes that were nearly the same color as her dress. His poetic reaction to her was totally unlike him, and he sternly reminded himself to keep things professional.

“If I didn’t know better,” she commented in a melodic drawl, “I’d think they understood what you said to them.”

“Oh, they did. They’re female, so they can never get enough compliments.” Even to his ears, that came across as jaded, and he tried to soften the impact by extending his hand. “Mike Kinley, carriage driver.”

After a moment, she gave him a shy smile and shook his hand. “Lily St. George, runaway bridesmaid.”

That was a new one, he mused with more than a little curiosity. Normally, he wouldn’t even think of asking her to explain. But he had at least an hour to kill while he waited for his passengers, and although he thought horses made great companions, they weren’t much in the conversation department. “Mind if I ask why?”

“My younger sister is the bride, which is wonderful.” Pausing, she frowned. “The groom is my ex-boyfriend.”

“Not so wonderful.” When she sighed and nodded, the sadness that came into her eyes brought back some of the mood he’d been trying to shed. Thanks to Dana, he knew how it felt to be cast aside and then discover how easily you’d been replaced. So, even though he knew it was probably something he’d end up regretting, he offered her a solution. “The ceremony’s over, right? You could just leave.”

“My whole family’s in there, so I can’t do that. What would everyone think?”

That it was cruel to ask you to be part of your ex’s wedding party? Catching himself before he insulted this sweet stranger, he searched for a way to lift her spirits. He noticed her eyeing the horses, and inspiration hit. “Would you like a tour of the grounds?”

“In the carriage?” When he nodded, her eyes rounded with excitement. “I’d love to, but are you sure it’s okay? I mean, you’re working another wedding.”

“We’re waiting for them to finish their pictures,” he replied with a nod toward the large group, “and the horses get antsy when they stand still for too long. We were headed out for a walk and some water, anyway.”

Technically, that was true, even if he hadn’t been planning to go just yet. For this time of year, the day wasn’t all that warm, so he figured the extra circuit wouldn’t do the horses any harm. While he didn’t normally put himself out for wedding guests this way, the delight shining in Lily’s eyes told him he’d made the right decision to make an exception for her.

As he prepared to hand her up into the tufted velvet passenger section of the carriage, she hesitated for some reason. “Is something wrong?”

Casting a longing look at the padded driver’s seat, she turned those stunning baby blues on him. “Could I ride up front with you?”

“Most folks like the royal treatment.”

A flicker of disapproval flashed across her face, and she firmly shook her head. “Not me. Besides, if I sit in back, we can’t talk to each other.”

That had been part of his plan, Mike admitted to himself reluctantly. Harsh experience had taught him not to trust anyone—especially anyone female—too easily. His tried-and-true strategy was to keep people at a safe distance until he could be sure they were who they seemed to be. Because of that, he didn’t have a lot of friends, and the ones with the integrity and fortitude to get through his defenses were there to stay.

“I’m not much of a talker,” he hedged, hoping to dissuade her without being outright rude.

“That’s okay,” she replied brightly. “I am. And I’d love to sit up near the horses, if they won’t mind.”

Her concern for the mares’ preference settled it for him. Anyone who considered the feelings of animals was on the way to being all right in his book. “Let’s ask ’em. Whattya think, girls?”

Right on cue, Penny nodded her approval while Ginger let out a muted whinny. Laughing, his passenger said, “I think they like me.”

Who wouldn’t? Mike nearly blurted. Firmly shoving the errant thought aside, he bowed the way his sister insisted he do and politely handed Lily up to the wide bench driver’s seat. Then he circled around the carriage and settled in beside her. As he picked up the reins, it occurred to him that he probably wasn’t the first guy to go out of his way for her. “Just so I don’t end up in trouble, are you here with anyone?”

“No.” The light in her eyes dimmed, but she quickly recovered and gave him what was obviously a determined smile. “I’m alone.”

Her resigned tone made him want to do something about that, and he cautioned himself not to follow that crazy impulse. Romantic nonsense, he reasoned, brought on by the tenth wedding he’d worked in the past month. Even a pragmatist like him could take only so much sentiment before he was tempted to ignore his better judgment and join in the insanity.

In the interest of keeping things between them as light as possible, he gave her a quick grin. “Not anymore. The Marbury Estate is one of the oldest in Kentucky whose original main house and grounds are still intact. What would you like to see first?”

“Everything.”

“You heard her, girls.” He clucked to the gleaming mares. “Let’s get a move on.”

As they started off in an easy trot, Lily said, “When they move, it’s like brown silk floating over the ground. They’re so beautiful.”

A woman after his own heart, he realized with a mental sigh. This little tour was either the best idea he’d ever had, or the worst. Then again, afterward they’d part ways and never see each other again, so he figured there was no harm in being nice.

“So,” he began in his best conversational tone, “where are you from?”

For some reason, she held back for a moment, then seemed to decide it was all right to share her hometown with him. “Louisville.”

After that, she looked around the manicured park, at the horses, the stately oaks arching overhead, anywhere but at him. He couldn’t imagine what all the avoidance was about, but he reminded himself that women were complex creatures no man in his right mind would even pretend to understand. The runaway bridesmaid had a right to her secrets, especially since her personal history was absolutely none of his business.

Looping onto a path that wound through the rose garden, he switched to a lighter topic. “What do you do?”

Immediately, her mood brightened, and the smile that lit her face nearly knocked him sideways. “Actually, I just got my first teaching job. I’ll be filling in for a kindergarten teacher for the rest of the school year while she’s out on maternity leave.”

“Hope it goes well for you.”

“So do I,” Lily agreed in a tentative voice. “It’s my first assignment since getting my degree, and I have to admit I’m a little nervous about taking over a class this way. Young kids get really attached to their teachers, and I’m hoping they’ll give me a chance.”

Mike couldn’t picture anyone not taking to Lily right out of the gate, but he opted not to mention that. “You’re bigger than them. How tough can they be?”

“You have no idea.”

He wasn’t quite sure what to say, and he searched his limited social repertoire for some encouraging words. When he recalled how Mom used to handle the passel of kids always roaming around the farm, he offered, “If things get too bad, you can always bribe ’em with cookies. Works with me, too.”

What had possessed him to add that last comment? This pretty teacher couldn’t care less about whether he enjoyed snacks or not. Fortunately, either she didn’t notice his misstep, or she was incredibly forgiving.

“Cookies,” she echoed with a little grin. “I’ll keep that in mind. Do you have any other suggestions for me?”

He answered with the kind of laugh that was pretty rare for him these days. “Not hardly.”

“But you know children like cookies. That’s a start.”

“Everyone does,” he said, giving her a sidelong glance as he guided the team around a sweeping curve in the path.

She rewarded his uncharacteristic helpfulness with the most incredible smile he’d ever seen in his life. As he felt himself returning the friendly gesture, inwardly Mike groaned.

It was a good thing she lived in Louisville. His gut was usually bang on about people, and it was telling him that Lily St. George had the potential to cause him no end of trouble.

* * *

Calling Mike Kinley an interesting man would be the understatement of the year.

To Lily’s great relief, he hadn’t reacted to her name the way most people did when she first met them. That was just the way she wanted it, since she despised having to be pleasant to people who were clearly more interested in her wealthy, connected family than in her. She couldn’t recall how many times supposed friends had asked her for an introduction at one of the many companies her family owned, only to ditch her once they had what they wanted. Finally, in college she’d had the opportunity to start over with a fresh batch of friends who had no clue about her privileged background. She’d confided the truth to a select few, but only after she was confident they’d bonded with her and not her family’s money.

Mike took her on a leisurely tour of the estate’s breathtaking grounds, and she gradually relaxed as they chatted off and on about nothing in particular. While he concentrated on the horses, she took advantage of the opportunity to study him more closely. Being female, she couldn’t help admiring what she saw.

Any man would look dapper in the crisp white shirt and gray morning suit, but there was more to his appearance than that. Sun-streaked brown hair brushed his starched collar, telling her he spent a lot of time outdoors. His white gloves rested on the seat between them, and she saw that his large hands were calloused from plenty of hard work. The easy, confident way he held the reins spoke of a lifetime spent around horses.

And then there were his eyes. A unique mix of blue and gray, they focused on her more directly than most people’s did, as if he was listening intently to her. She didn’t think she was being particularly entertaining, which made his attention even more flattering. Unlike most men she knew who went out of their way to compliment her appearance, this outdoorsy carriage driver actually seemed interested in what she had to say. It was a refreshing change.

As if that wasn’t enough, he seemed to know everything about the antebellum estate, patiently answering her questions and pointing out various historical spots spread throughout the sprawling grounds. The house itself had been around since the early 1800s, surviving the ravages of the Civil War by serving as a headquarters for both Union and Confederate commanders. The well-tended gardens were breathtaking, filled with brilliant colors and bracketed by what looked to be miles of immaculately trimmed boxwood.

It was the ideal spot for a wedding, and she could understand why Natalie had chosen it. The husband she’d chosen to share that day with was another matter altogether, but Lily reminded herself it wasn’t her place to question the decisions her younger sister made. Now that the wedding was over, Lily’s only job was to support the new couple.

Unfortunately, her less-than-stellar experience with Chad made her fear that the freshly minted Mrs. Wellington was going to need all the love and understanding she could get.

“This is such a pretty spot,” Lily commented while they drove beneath a grove of oaks draped in Spanish moss. Nearby stood the mansion with its wide front steps, where her sister’s photographer had snapped dozens of pictures for the wedding album. “I wonder how many people have been married here over the years.”

“A few.”

His tone struck her as being overly polite, and she laughed. “Sorry about that. You must have heard that about a million times.”

“A few,” he repeated with a wry grin. Pulling gently on the reins, he stopped the horses near a small creek that wound its way through the picturesque clearing in the trees. “If you don’t mind stopping here for a few minutes, the girls could use a drink.”

“I don’t mind a bit. Would it be all right if I pet them while they’re drinking?”

He climbed down and gave her a dubious once-over. “You want to handle horses dressed like that?”

“Trust me—your horses are a lot cleaner than the best man’s toast was.”

Mike laughed, then held up a hand for her to take. The old-fashioned gesture seemed ideally suited to this fairy-tale setting, and she felt like a princess when she landed on the ground beside him. Her heels sank into the soft soil, and rather than ruin the dyed satin shoes, she stepped out of them onto the velvety grass.

Squishing her toes into it, she sighed. “That’s the best my feet have felt all day.”

“Interesting look,” he teased with a grin. “And here I am without my camera.”

Before she knew what she was doing, she’d stuck her tongue out at him. It was so unlike her, she felt her face reddening with embarrassment. “Mike, I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”

“No need to apologize. I thought it was funny.”

He gave her a long, pensive look before turning away to unhitch the horses. While she watched him, Lily tried desperately to regain her usual equilibrium. Raised to anticipate any social situation that might crop up, she wasn’t prone to being surprised out of her well-schooled habits. Somehow, this man, with his windblown good looks and down-to-earth nature, had thoroughly rattled her without even seeming to try.

She wasn’t sure how he’d managed it, but fortunately she wouldn’t have to worry about running into him in the future. They were from completely different worlds, and their paths weren’t likely to ever cross again. That knowledge should have made her feel better about her bizarre response to him.

In all honesty, it only made her wonder what she’d be missing.

When one of the horses splashed some water out of the creek and onto Mike’s polished black boots, he chuckled. “Guess they’re done. Ready to go back?”

“Not really.” Gazing toward the grand reception hall, she sighed, then looked back at him and forced a smile. “But I probably should. I’ve taken up enough of your time already.”

“Wasn’t going anywhere in particular,” he assured her in an easygoing drawl. “Like I said, the girls needed a lap around, anyway. I appreciated having some company.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that to be nice?”

“I never say anything just to be nice,” he informed her curtly. But there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and she laughed as he gave a little bow and helped her back into her seat. She couldn’t tell if the gruff demeanor was his true personality, or if the brief glimpses of humor she’d gotten were more him. Instinct told her he was a blend of the two, which made him the most intriguing person she’d met in a long time.

Their trip back was much quicker than the one out. Before she knew it, she was standing outside the hall, listening while the DJ talked her sister’s guests through the steps of the latest line dance.

Turning to Mike, she managed to put aside her misgivings and smile. “Thanks for rescuing me for a little while.”

“No problem.” Tilting his head, he gave her a worried look. “You gonna be okay?”

“Sure. This thing can’t last forever, and I’ve been through worse days.”

That got her a suspicious look. “Yeah? When?”

There was the day she informed her family she wanted to drop her art classes and become a teacher. They simply didn’t understand why anyone would choose a career she didn’t technically need. But she’d stood her ground, and in the end her independence had won out. So far, anyway. That wasn’t the kind of thing she’d share with a stranger, of course, so she kept it to herself.

“None recently that I can recall,” she confessed, “but I’m sure there’s been at least one.”

“So you’re an optimist.”

There was a distinct growl to his tone, and she frowned. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”

“Works for some folks, I guess.” His dismissive shrug made it clear what he thought of them, though.

“But not for you?”

“Not hardly.”

She nearly asked him to explain, but his tightened jaw warned her that would be a very bad idea. Determined to make the best of a suddenly awkward situation, she said, “It was great meeting you, Mike. Thanks again for the ride.”

“You’re welcome. I hope everything works out for your sister.”

“Me, too.”

She stepped away as he climbed into the carriage and clucked to the bays before heading toward the gazebo. From this angle, she noticed the subtle gold lettering that arched along the back of the carriage: Gallimore Stables. The poetic name seemed very much at odds with his temperament, and she wondered who’d chosen it. Watching until they disappeared around a bend in the road, she mulled over their unusual meeting. Mike was by far the most puzzling man she’d ever met, by turns thoughtful and brusque. Still, no one could miss the fondness he felt for Penny and Ginger, and that made her suspect there was more going on with him than met the eye. A lot more.

It was just as well they were going their separate ways, she decided as she squared her shoulders and turned to go inside. She’d shouldered other people’s burdens before, and it had never ended well for her. Building a life for herself would take everything she could give it, and she had no intention of ever taking on someone else’s baggage again.

For the time being, she had more than enough to worry about—like making it through the rest of this difficult day with a smile on her face.


Chapter Two (#ulink_0f758514-6f36-582d-9106-196572ad29dc)

Monday morning, Lily got to work an hour earlier than was strictly necessary. She had the teacher’s lesson plans for the remainder of the year tucked in her briefcase, but she didn’t really need them. Eager to do a bang-up job in her first solo assignment, she’d memorized the material to be sure she understood everything.

Anything worth doing is worth doing to the hilt.

Her grandfather’s voice echoed in her mind, and she paused a moment to smile at the memory. The advice had come with a generous check and a proud smile, as he told her to use the money for her exciting new life. Aside from him, her family and friends couldn’t comprehend why teaching was so important to her, but she was determined to do something that would make a difference in the world. She couldn’t imagine anything better than giving children a solid foundation to build the rest of their lives on.

Still smiling, she stowed her gear inside the modest wooden desk and took a moment to survey the bright, cheery kindergarten room. Small chairs were neatly clustered around four round tables, and she counted twenty seats. Which meant she had twenty students coming in soon for—she checked her color-coded schedule—show-and-tell.

Apparently, their veteran teacher had devised a simple and enjoyable way to make Lily’s first day a little easier. Five kids were slated for the presentation, which would allow her to observe them without making anyone uncomfortable. Lily made a mental note to send the thoughtful woman a thank-you email later on.

The room was located in the front of the old brick building, and she watched as yellow buses started filing in to park diagonally in the lot. Students streamed out, laughing and yelling, while the teachers assigned to bus duty gathered them into groups to head inside. Fortunately, the principal had let Lily slide on that one. She wasn’t proud to admit it, but she had a hunch that if her first day had begun with her facing a screaming horde of unfamiliar children, she might have bolted and never come back.

As it was, she wasn’t sure where to stand while she waited for her class to arrive. Standing by her desk seemed stiff and formal, but the middle of the reading circle felt goofy to her. In the end, she settled for leaning against the open door wearing what she hoped came across as a welcoming smile. Her students started coming in, and she felt her confidence wavering as they brushed past her and went through what was clearly a well-ingrained morning routine.

Once they’d put everything away and settled in their seats, she checked the hallway to make sure there weren’t any stragglers. Satisfied, she closed the door and turned to face the room full of fresh, curious faces.

“Good morning, everyone.” Her voice sounded faint and strained, and she took a bracing breath before trying again. “I’m Miss St. George, and I’ll be filling in for Mrs. Howard while she’s out with her baby. I’ll do my best to learn your names quickly, but there are a lot of you, so I hope you’ll be patient with me.”

A cute blonde girl with bright blue eyes and freckles quickly raised her hand. “Miss St. George?”

“Yes?”

“I’m Abby, and my daddy’s here for show-and-tell.” She pointed toward the window in the door. “Can I let him in?”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Abby sprang up to meet him, and Lily turned to say hello. Any thought of speaking left her mind when she saw that there, framed in the doorway, stood Mike Kinley. The formal gray suit had given way to jeans, a cowboy hat and a faded denim shirt with Gallimore Stables and a stylized horse head embroidered on the chest pocket. Being a woman, she had to admit this outfit suited him much better.

“Morning,” he greeted her in the mellow drawl she thought she’d never hear again. Eyes twinkling in fun, he added a slight grin. “Thanks for having me in today.”

Obviously, he didn’t want his daughter to know he’d already met her new teacher. More than happy to pretend they’d never seen each other before, Lily played along. “Thanks for coming to spend some time with us.” Turning, she noticed the kids gawking and couldn’t help smiling. “From your reaction, I assume you all know Mr. Kinley.”

Mike winced, and she couldn’t figure out why until Abby clued her in. “I didn’t tell you who he is yet. How do you know his name?”

“I’m on the visitors’ list for today,” he answered smoothly, giving Lily a nudging look. “That’s how she knew.”

Was he really? she wondered. She’d been so excited for her first day, she hadn’t thought to do more than briefly check in at the office. She hated to start out by lying to her students, but since she didn’t have any other brilliant ideas, she decided she had no option other than to allow his explanation to stand.

Thankfully, the overhead speakers crackled and a boy’s trembling voice prompted them all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The familiar phrases calmed Lily’s nerves a bit, and in her head she kept repeating, “I can do this. I can do this.”

She was keenly aware of Mike standing beside her, and while the children resettled in their seats, she couldn’t help sneaking a peek or two at their guest. When he looked down at her, he gave her a subtle wink and the crooked grin that had charmed her during their carriage ride. When he wasn’t growling about something, anyway.

She caught herself smiling back, then remembered where they were and quickly doused her response. But he’d noticed. The smirk he was wearing told her that much. He was probably one of those superobservant people who noticed everything that happened around him, she lamented with a sigh. Leave it to her to run across one of the last attentive males on the planet.

Anxious to move on, she clapped her hands to get the kids’ attention. “All right, everyone, let’s get in a circle on the story rug.” Once they were more or less quiet, she motioned to Mike. “You’re on.”

A flash that struck her as mild panic passed over his sunburned features, but he quickly recovered and sat down. Not in the adult-sized teacher’s chair she’d left open for him, she noticed with curiosity, but on the floor, cross-legged like the kids. Something about his desire to join them on their level made her smile. Maybe he wasn’t as standoffish as she’d assumed.

He introduced himself as a horse trainer, then opened his palms and spread them apart. “What would you guys like to know?”

Small hands shot into the air, and he answered questions ranging from how much does a horse eat to how often he cleaned their stalls. He took each one with a serious expression, and his respect for the children impressed her. Then one little boy stopped their guest cold.

“Do you still miss your dad?”

Mike’s patient smile froze in place, and he seemed to pull back into himself. Clearly, the class knew their guest much better than she did, and in an effort to save him, Lily jumped in. “Does anyone have something they want to ask about the farm?”

“No, that’s okay,” Mike said quietly. Giving the boy an understanding look, he asked, “Did your father pass away?”

“Last year.” Tears welled in his already large brown eyes, making them look even bigger. “I started baseball this year, and he’ll never get to see me play.”

Lily’s heart lurched in sympathy, but she kept quiet. Mike had connected with this child in a way she could never manage, so she thought it best to let him handle the sensitive moment.

“What’s your name, son?” he asked gently.

“Peter.”

“Well, Peter, I know it’s tough to lose your father, but you have to do your best to make him proud, even though he’s not here to see it.”

“How?”

“Do what you think he’d want you to, even if you’d rather be doing something else. Take good care of your mom ’cause she’s missing him, too. Do you have brothers and sisters?”

“Two little sisters.” Peter made a face. “They’re such a pain.”

Mike chuckled. “I hear you, but you’re the oldest, so you’ve gotta watch out for them. When things get hard, families have to stick together.”

“That’s what Mom says.”

“She’s right. Even when you think she’s not,” he added with a wink. The boy laughed and nodded, then sank back into his spot with a satisfied look.

Mike fielded several more questions, and when the kids seemed to be getting restless, Lily decided it was time to let him go.

Standing, she moved in behind him. “I’m sure we all want to thank Mr. Kinley for coming in today.” After a rousing chorus of appreciation, she held up her hands for quiet. “You have some seat work to do before our next visitor gets here. Please pick up where you left off on Friday.”

They complied with only minimal grumbling, and she motioned Mike toward the door. He looked relieved to leave the inquisitive circle behind him.

“Man,” he began in a hushed voice, “some of those kids are smarter than me.”

“I feel awful that Peter brought up your father that way.”

“It’s not your fault.” Gazing over at his daughter, he went on. “Dad died three years ago in a car accident, and it was big news around here. Abby doesn’t really remember him, but she’s heard us talk about him. I’m sure she’s told her friends all the stories by now.”

The misery clouding his eyes told Lily he was putting up a brave front to hide the sorrow he still felt over losing his dad. She adored her own father, and she couldn’t begin to imagine how painful it would be to have him jerked out of her life that way. “I’m very sorry for your family’s loss.”

“Thanks.”

The brusque response told her it was time to let the matter drop, so she moved on. “How are Penny and Ginger doing?”

“Just fine. And you? How was the rest of your sister’s reception?”

Lily thought it was sweet of him to ask how that endless afternoon had affected her, even though she hadn’t been the bride. Judging by the way his eyes were fixed on her, his concern was genuine, and she smiled. “It won’t go in my favorite-memories list, but I made it through in one piece. I have to admit, I was kind of stunned to see you here this morning.”

“I can relate to that,” he admitted with a chuckle. “When Abby said her new teacher would be here, I had no clue it’d be you. You said you were from Louisville, so I figured that’s where your school was.”

“And I had no idea Gallimore Stables was here in Oaks Crossing.”

“Yeah,” he responded with a sigh. “That’s a real problem for us. We’re working on it, though.”

“Really?” Leaning back against her desk, she eyed him with a new sense of respect. Apparently, the gruff carriage driver had more going for him than his rugged good looks. “How?”

“Dad trained Thoroughbreds for racing, and he was one of the best.” Mike paused, and the pride gleaming in his eyes told her just how much he still admired his father. “Obviously, with him gone, that business went away, so we’ve had to come up with something else so we can afford to keep the place. My sister thought of the wedding carriages, and we put a sign on the back to get folks out to the farm and see what all is there.”

Lily was fascinated. She’d lived her entire life in cities, and to her one farm was pretty much like another. “What else is there?”

“Last fall, we started up the Oaks Crossing Rescue Center, for injured and abandoned animals. We take in everything from gerbils to draft horses. Yesterday, someone dropped off a beaver with a broken leg, of all things. We figure if people come in and see all the animals for themselves, we can help more wild critters get back into the woods and the pets will have a better chance of finding a home. If you’re interested, you can come by sometime. I’d be happy to show you around the farm or the center, whichever you want.”

That he was part of such a generous endeavor impressed her enough that she decided her earlier impression of him as being standoffish was due more to her own bad mood the other day than his actual personality. “I’d enjoy seeing both, I’m sure. So many people talk about doing something important, but they never find a way to make it happen.”

“Yeah, well, I like animals better than most people I meet, so it works for me.”

She clicked her tongue in disapproval. “You don’t mean that.”

“Actually, I do.” His flinty gaze softened a bit, and he almost smiled. “Most of the time, anyway.”

She was getting the distinct impression that he was as intrigued by her as she was by him. Whether it was their vastly different backgrounds or their polar-opposite personalities, she couldn’t say. But she couldn’t deny that the more she learned about him, the more she wanted to know.

And then, out of the blue she heard herself say, “You know, I’ve always wanted to take riding lessons.”

Those icy blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why?”

“Horses are beautiful and strong, and much more intelligent than most people realize.”

Giving her a quick once-over, he finished his assessment with a single nod. “True enough.”

“I think it would be fun to learn more about them.” And herself, she added silently. After spending the first twenty-five years of her life being treated as if she’d crumple in the face of any adversity whatsoever, she was eager to test her wings and see how far she could fly. “So what do you think?”

“About teaching you to ride?” She nodded, quelling her impatience while he thought over her proposal. She couldn’t understand why he’d turn down a paying customer when his family’s business was in such dire straits. Then again, everyone came to decisions in their own way, and she had a feeling that rushing him would end in a curt no-thanks.

“Here’s an idea,” he offered in a tentative manner. “I’ve got some free time this afternoon after four. Why don’t we try it once and see how it goes?”

She’d had enough of his boot-dragging, and she let a bit of that anger show in her face. “I’m willing to pay the same rate you charge everyone else. Do you have a problem with teaching me?”

“Not a bit,” he replied smoothly. “But you might have a problem learning from me.”

“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”

Shrugging, he stepped away and turned the doorknob. “I guess we’ll find out.”

“Fine,” she spat, recognizing a challenge when she heard one. “I’ll see you at four.”

“I’ll be in the barn nearest the house. Wear shoes with no heels.”

With that, he pulled open the door and strode into the hallway. Her temper was simmering, and she took a few moments to calm down before rejoining her students. As she roamed around the tables offering help and praise as needed, she couldn’t get one thing out of her mind.

Like so many of the men she’d known before him, Mike Kinley had severely misjudged her. She was looking forward to showing him just how wrong he was.

* * *

Mike was checking the girth on an English saddle when a yellow convertible drove up and parked near the barns. Lily stepped out of the car, which he couldn’t help noticing was nearly as cute as she was. Dressed in jeans and a pink T-shirt, she looked nothing like the well-dressed woman he’d seen up to this point. As a matter of fact, he liked this look much better.

Growling at himself for thinking of her that way, he shook off the impression and took his time strolling over to meet her. The slow pace gave him a chance to remind himself that it was his own fault she was here, and he had no choice but to make the best of it.

Before he got there, Abby came flying down the back porch steps and made a beeline for their visitor.

More excited than usual, she stopped and stared up at her teacher with obvious heroine worship shining in her eyes. “Hi, Miss St. George. Are you ready for your lesson?”

“I think so.” She turned to Mike, eyes twinkling in amusement. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Being a fairly intelligent guy, he recognized that she was punting his own words back at him. Her version was much brighter than his had been, and he got the feeling she was daring him to match her. He managed not to smile, but it wasn’t easy in the face of all that perkiness.

Eyeing her sneakers, he frowned. “That’s the only pair of flat shoes you own?”

“Obviously,” she retorted, tilting her head in a chiding gesture that brought to mind his sassy younger sister.

“Well, you’re gonna need some riding boots to grab on to the stirrups. Come on in and I’ll see what I’ve got.”

Eager to get her lesson over with, he wasn’t crazy about having to go through the extra hoop. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her in the stable, he told himself as Abby took Lily’s hand and tugged her forward. He just wasn’t keen about sharing his turf with someone who made him so...jittery.

Inside the sliding door, she fell out of step with him, and he glanced down the rubber aisleway, thinking something must be out of place. The dividing walls between the stalls were made of age-darkened oak, with wrought iron rising from chest height up to the ceiling. Lights and fans dotted the interior, keeping the horses cool on even the hottest days.

It all looked fine to him, and he asked, “Something wrong?”

Eyes wide, she slowly shook her head. “This is incredible. How many spaces are there?”

“Twenty in this barn,” he answered proudly, lifting Abby up to sit on a sturdy shelf normally reserved for spare equipment parts. It was currently empty, one more reminder of how close to the bone Dad’s beloved Gallimore was operating these days. “The stable for boarders has another fifteen.”

“You take care of thirty-five horses here?”

“Well, me and my brothers, Drew and Josh, along with a couple of Dad’s old grooms who wanted to stay on after he died.”

Peeking into a vacant stall, she looked down the line with obvious disappointment. “They’re all outside? I was hoping to meet some of them.”

“I saw Gideon waiting in the front paddock for you,” Abby piped up helpfully. “First, you need some boots.”

“All right, then. Let’s find me a pair and get started.”

To Mike’s ear, the excited pitch of Lily’s voice nearly matched his daughter’s, and he found himself grinning. In his experience, adults didn’t get jazzed about new things the way kids did. Maybe it was being around children all day, he thought, or maybe that was Lily’s natural way of viewing the world. Whichever it was, even a reserved guy like him was having a tough time resisting all that enthusiasm.

Stopping outside the tack room, he motioned his prospective student ahead of him. Most folks moved tentatively through the barn during their first visit, but not Lily. She confidently strode past him and into the large storage area. Along one wall were three rows of saddles, some English for dressage and jumping, some Western complete with lassos coiled neatly around their horns. On the other wall, dozens of bridles hung from their padded holders, reins left dangling to avoid straining the leather.

Standing in the middle of it all, Lily spun slowly until she came back to Mike. The look on her face was impossible for him to read, and he waited for her to say something.

“What a great office you have,” she commented with a smile. “You must love working here every day.”

“Except when it rains. Then it’s kinda the pits.”

“I guess so,” she replied with a laugh. In the corner, something moaned quietly, and she took a hesitant step back. “Did I wake someone up?”

“That’s just Sarge,” Abby explained. Right on cue, a scruffy blend of several breeds of terrier emerged from the shadows and yawned. “He likes to sleep in here.”

Blinking at Lily, the small dog trotted over and sat in front of her, tail wagging politely. Laughing again, she hunkered down and held out her hand for him to sniff. When he was satisfied, he offered a paw that she shook as if he was a small person. “Hello, Sarge. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

With a quick yip, he went back toward his spot, glancing over his shoulder in an unspoken request for her to follow him. Which, to Mike’s amazement, she did. When she saw the filthy old horse blanket he had there, she turned to Mike with a curious expression. “Is that really where he sleeps?”

“I know it looks bad, but he likes it that way.”

“Why?”

“It’s kind of a long story.”

“That’s okay,” she said, sitting down on the scuffed plank floor to pet the dog. “I like stories.”

Mike had planned on getting through her lesson as quickly and painlessly as possible. Since he didn’t want to seem rude, he put aside his impatience and carefully balanced himself on a three-legged stool. “Well, his owner was an older lady who lived in the area. She had a horse named Captain that she’d owned since he was a foal, and he was getting on in years himself. When his stablemate died, she was afraid he’d be lonely, so she got him a dog.”

“Sarge.” Lily smiled down at the mutt, who seemed to be listening intently to his story. “What a nice thing for her to do.”

“Last year, she got really sick and had to move into a nursing home. She asked me to take the two of them and make sure they stayed together. One of Captain’s blankets dropped off the side of the stall one day, and Sarge took to sleeping on it while he kept his friend company. Now Captain’s gone, and this little guy refuses to sleep anywhere else.”

“That is so touching,” she murmured in a voice filled with sympathy. Smiling down at the dog, she cooed, “If we all had such faithful friends who’d stick by us no matter what, our lives would be so much better.”

Even though she wasn’t speaking to him, Mike caught the wistfulness in her tone. At some point, someone had disappointed this bright, engaging woman. While it had absolutely nothing to do with him, just the thought of it made him angry.

“What’s this?” she asked, fingering a label sewn to the corner of the blanket. Giving Mike a knowing grin, she said, “It says ‘do not wash.’”

“My sister Erin’s a neat freak, and she’s in charge of keeping the blankets and saddle pads clean. That one—” he pointed “—still smells like his old buddy, and Sarge likes it that way. I figure one dirty blanket more or less doesn’t make much difference.”

“Not to you maybe,” Lily told him with an admiring smile, “but to him it means a lot. It’s so considerate of you to recognize that. That must be why his owner chose you to take care of her animals. She trusted you to do what was best for them.”

Mike wasn’t accustomed to being praised for simply following his instincts, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Most folks’d probably think it’s nuts.”

“I think it’s sweet,” she corrected him in a gentle but firm voice that he imagined worked wonders on her students.

Hoping to joke his way out of an awkward situation, he forced a chuckle. “I’d appreciate you not spreading that around.”

“Deal.”

Standing, she brushed her hands off on her jeans and looked over the beat-up collection of riding boots that had found their way onto the shelves. Some had been outgrown, others donated. One pair had even been tossed at Mike’s head when a young diva-in-training threw a world-class tantrum and stormed out of her one and only lesson. When he shared that detail with Lily, she laughed again. This woman did that more than anyone he knew, and he had to admit the light, carefree sound was beginning to grow on him.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that kind of nonsense with me,” she assured him. “If I end up being a hopelessly terrible rider, I’ll assume it’s my fault, not yours.”

She reached toward the upper shelf where the smallest sizes were, but she couldn’t quite stretch far enough.

“Here, let me.” To his surprise, she pointed out a pair of well-worn brown boots that had once belonged to his mother. “You sure? They’re kinda plain.”

“They look like they’ve had a lot of experience. Maybe they’ll help me catch on quicker.”

Interesting theory, he mused as he brought them down for her. Sitting on a chair outside the storage room, she shed her sneakers and pulled on the boots. They seemed to work, and she held out her feet to admire them. Then, to his surprise, she looked up at the shelf where Abby was perched. “What do you think of these?”

“Perfect,” she announced, her ponytail bobbing as she nodded. “Just like Cinderella.”

“Well, don’t get your hopes up,” he teased. “We’re fresh out of princes around here.”

For some reason, Lily’s smile disintegrated, and she sighed. “I’ve had my fill of princes. The ones I meet always seem to turn into frogs.”

Mike wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he decided it was best to ignore the comment. “Ready for your lesson?”

“Definitely.” She shook off her momentary funk, and that playful grin was back. “Are you?”

Despite his plan to keep a professional distance from her, he found himself returning her smile. “I guess we’ll find out.”

He strolled over and let Abby climb onto his shoulders, then lowered her to the floor.

“Daddy, can I go have a snack with Grammy while you give Lily her lesson?”

“Sure, but save me some of those cookies. They smell real good.”

She thanked him with a quick hug, and he smiled as he watched her zoom back toward the house. Hard as it had been for him to leave his ranch foreman’s job in New Mexico behind, his daughter was happy here, surrounded by his large, chaotic family and now a class full of new friends. Much as he hated losing his independence, her happiness made it all worth it to him.

Hauling his mind back to reality, he led the way through a sliding door that opened onto the paddock where Gideon was dozing in the sun. When Lily moved out of his sight, Sarge let out a pitiful whimper and jumped up to follow her. To Mike’s knowledge, the dog had never shown much affection for anyone but Captain. That he seemed to have taken a shine to the soft-spoken teacher had to mean something. But right now, Mike couldn’t for the life of him figure out what it was.


Chapter Three (#ulink_73dce46f-0075-5788-b212-9005507a2f07)

“Seriously?” Swiveling toward Mike, she gave him a horrified look. “You couldn’t find a slightly smaller horse for me?”

“Give him a chance,” the trainer cajoled, rubbing the enormous animal’s chest as if he was a golden retriever. “Gideon’s the gentlest horse on the farm. Abby rides him all the time.”

Clearly, that last comment was meant to goad her into leaping onto the saddle that looked to be five precarious feet above the ground. Shaking her head, Lily announced, “She’s a lot braver than I am.”

“I doubt that. Most folks’d be terrified to take on a roomful of kindergarteners all on their own for the first time, but you did just fine with them. After that, this guy should be a piece of cake.”

“You thought I did well today?” she blurted without thinking how it might sound to him. It was a good thing she wasn’t trying to impress this man, she thought ruefully. Coming across as needy was bad enough, but add in a heavy dose of insecurity and most men understandably ran for the hills.

“You were great with them,” he said without hesitation. “Kids are like animals—they know a phony when they see one, and from where I was sitting, I could tell they really liked you.”

His praise rang with sincerity, and she smiled. “That’s nice of you to say.”

“Like I told you the other day, I don’t say things just to be nice. The truth’s not always easy to hear, but at least it doesn’t change from one day to the next.”

Someone had lied to this man, she realized with sudden clarity. Someone he trusted enough to care very much that the person had deceived him. Since she already suspected that this devoted single father was divorced, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to guess that someone had been his ex-wife. Lily was definitely curious about what had happened to their marriage, but she’d never dream of asking a virtual stranger such an intensely—and probably hurtful—personal question.

Instead, she refocused her attention on the horse standing quietly in the middle of the fenced-in space. Now that she’d calmed down a bit, she registered the fact that he was more than big. He was powerfully built and covered in scruffy brown fur that made her think of a retro-style shag rug. To add to his unusual appearance, there was an off-kilter white star on his forehead that led to a strip of white that zigzagged down along the right side of his nose.

As they stared at each other, his large brown eyes shone with intelligence, and she was almost certain he was taking stock of her the same way she was doing with him. The corner of his mouth crinkled, and she couldn’t help laughing. “Is he smiling at me?”

“I’d imagine so. He really likes people.”

Puzzled by Mike’s tone, she glanced at him. “You sound surprised by that.”

“If you knew what this old boy’s been through—” Mike fondly ruffled the horse’s shaggy mane “—you’d be surprised, too.”

That did it for her. Sympathy for the rescued animal flooded Lily’s heart, and she put aside her earlier reluctance to approach him. He nuzzled her hand, and on her other side, she felt something tap her arm. Looking down, she realized Mike had a few apple slices and was trying to sneak them to her.

“Hold your palm out flat.” He demonstrated for her. “He’s pretty careful, but if you curl your fingers he might nip you by mistake.”

“Okay.” Still a little nervous, she held the apples out for Gideon, who blew on her hand before delicately taking a piece from her. His lips tickled her skin, making her giggle like one of her students.

When she was out of treats, he slurped her hand in an equine thank-you and just about knocked her over when he started rubbing his forehead on her shoulder. Thankfully, Mike steadied her until she could brace herself more firmly. “He’s really strong.”

“He’s a Belgian draft horse. Most of him, anyway.” Scratching him between the eyes, Mike continued. “The rest, I’m not so sure about, but it doesn’t matter much. He’s got a great heart, and that’s good enough for me.”

Now that she’d seen him in his natural element, Lily was beginning to notice a pattern in the gruff trainer’s personality. He wasn’t crazy about humans, but he was wonderful with animals. Considering all the troubles she’d been having lately, she had to admit he might have the right idea, after all. “He seems to like you, too.”

“Yeah, well, he’s pretty easy to impress.”

“Easier than people?”

Mike’s eyes narrowed with sudden displeasure. “You sound like my ex-wife.”

“I’m sorry,” she stammered, feeling awful for inadvertently hitting what was obviously a sore point. “I didn’t mean to stir up bad memories.”

They stared at each other for a few self-conscious moments, and then he shrugged. “It’s no big deal. We fought all the time, so the divorce was actually a relief.”

She recognized his response as brave words meant to conceal the pain darkening his features. He made her think of a child who’d had his feelings hurt but stubbornly refused to own up to it. Hoping to lift his spirits, she said, “Maybe she just didn’t understand you very well. With some people, you have to work a little harder, but in the end they’re worth the effort.”

“Aw, man,” he groaned, “you really are an optimist, aren’t you?”

It sounded as if he was accusing her of some kind of crime, and Lily’s reflex was to bristle the way she had the first time they met. Then it struck her that this was an opportunity to bend his opinion of her in a more positive direction.

Giving him her sweetest smile, she said, “It works for me.”

To her amazement, his frown mellowed into a crooked half grin. “Can’t argue with that. So whattya say? Are you ready to give ol’ Gideon a whirl?”

He punctuated his invitation with a black velvet hard hat, and she knew this was the moment of truth. Either she was going to go through with this, or she’d leave Gallimore Stables in disgrace. Because she was a St. George, she chose the first one. “Absolutely.”

Taking the helmet from him, she fastened it on and moved to stand beside the horse. Mike gave her a boost into the saddle and helped her get her feet settled in the stirrups.

“Okay up there?” he asked.

“More or less.” Her heart was already moving at a fast trot, and all she’d done so far was get on. Mike seemed to sense that, because he had her lean forward and back in the saddle, then bend from one side to the other. Once he’d convinced her that she was fairly safe, things got more interesting.

Her teacher strolled to the center of the ring and stood with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “Take him out on the rail and let him walk.”

“I’m not taking him anywhere,” Lily replied in a voice that shook a lot more than she’d have preferred. “He’s in charge.”

“Just ’cause he’s bigger than you doesn’t mean he’s in charge,” Mike corrected her in a patient voice that told her he’d said those exact same words many times. “He might be stronger, but you’re smarter. The trick is to make him think it’s his idea.”

How on earth was she supposed to do that? Lily wondered. Then she recalled Mike’s comment about animals being similar to kids, and she decided it couldn’t hurt to try treating Gideon like one of her students. “All right, big guy. Let’s try walking along the rail.”

Nothing. The horse patiently stood there, apparently content to watch his stablemates munching away out in the pasture. When she heard a low chuckle, she glared over at her not-so-amusing instructor. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Guess I wasn’t very clear. Give him a nudge with your heels and bring your reins to the left.”

She noticed he didn’t deny he’d been laughing at her, but since her life was pretty much in his hands, she decided now wasn’t the time to take issue with his prickly personality. She followed his suggestion, and to her astonishment, the Belgian obeyed her instantly, plodding over to the track that had been worn in the ground.

As they circled the small space, she was awestruck by the power she felt rippling underneath her. This brawny animal could crush her without any effort at all, but here they were, moving in the same direction together. Slowly, to be sure, but it was a huge accomplishment for someone who’d lived her entire life being treated like a rare flower in a greenhouse.

“You’re looking good, Lily. How does it feel?”

“Incredible.” Gaining confidence, she reached down to pat Gideon’s flexing neck. “You’re such a good boy.”

The Belgian blew a raspberry and seemed to nod in agreement, making her laugh. They did a few circuits each way, even trotting for a while to keep things from getting boring. The rest of her promised half hour passed by in a flash, and she had a hard time remembering why she’d been so nervous at the beginning.

In what was apparently his customary way of handling any situation, without preamble Mike came forward and took the reins from her. “I think that was a good first lesson. Why don’t we quit while we’re ahead?”

“That’s fine. It’s pretty hot, and we don’t want to overtax him.”

Her comment sparked something in those icy blue eyes, and they warmed just a touch when they settled on her. Then it was gone, and she wondered if she’d imagined the whole thing. He helped her down, then removed the horse’s tack so deftly, she wouldn’t be the least bit shocked to learn he could manage the task blindfolded.

He balanced everything on the top rail and opened a gate that led out to the front pasture. “All set, boy.”

Clearly delighted, the gelding shook himself out, then loped through the opening to join his buddies at the far end. Lily admired them for a few moments, savoring the peaceful end to a hectic day. Between moving into the room she’d rented in town and prepping for school, she hadn’t had any free time since her sister’s wedding. It felt good to stand here in the sunshine and breathe in the warm, hay-scented air.

But she knew Mike had things to do, so she dragged her eyes away from the beautiful scene and smiled up at him. “So, did I pass muster?”

“Sorry?”

“Are you willing to take me on as one of your students, or do you need more time to decide?”

“Oh, that.” Shaking his head, he chuckled as they started walking toward her car. “I guess we can make it work. What day’s good for you?”

“How about Fridays at four? It would make a great start to my weekends.”

“So you’re staying in town after school’s done, then?”

“My lease goes through the end of August. After that—”

She shrugged, and for some odd reason he frowned. “You don’t have a job for the fall?”

“I’ve been told something might open up at the elementary school, but right now there’s nothing available. We’ll see what happens.”

Just as they reached the driveway, she heard a familiar voice chirping her name, and she turned to find Abby running over to join them. “I’m so glad you’re still here! Grammy said to bring you in to meet her. Y’know, since you’re my new teacher and all.”

“Miss St. George is a busy lady, Abs. We don’t wanna hold her up.”

“Oh, I have time.” Smiling down at her student, she added, “Abby’s told me a lot about your mother, and I’d love to meet her.”

“I can just imagine what you’ve been hearing from our little one,” a woman’s voice chimed in from the front porch. The accent had a musical lilt to it that reminded Lily of her late great-grandmother Katie, who’d stepped off a boat from Ireland and into a career that took her from the garment factories of New York to the homes of high-society women up and down the East Coast. It was in one of them that she’d met the dashing Alexander St. George, and the rest was history.

That image sparked wonderful memories for Lily, and she faced the woman with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kinley.”

“None of that now,” she protested, waving off the formality with a hand dusted with flour. “It’s Maggie to everyone hereabouts. Including you.”

“Thank you. And I’m Lily.”

“That you are.” Flashing a dimpled smile, she turned to her son with a disapproving look. “Michael, aren’t you going to invite this lovely young lady inside for something to drink on this hot day?”

“I think you just did that.” He scowled back, but the fondness twinkling in his eyes betrayed him. So, he wasn’t such a grumbly bear, after all, Lily noted. It made a girl wonder what else was going on behind that lopsided grin.

“Come on,” Abby urged, grasping Lily’s hand to pull her up the steps. “We’ve been making chocolate chip cookies. They’re still all gooey, so we have to eat them fast.”

“My favorite kind. It smells like you put extra chocolate in them, too.”

“That’s how Daddy likes them.” Flashing him an adoring look, she grinned. “Isn’t it, Daddy?”

“Got that right.”

He returned her look with an ease that astonished Lily. Up until now, she’d viewed him as a tightly reined-in kind of guy who wasn’t exactly the mushy type. But when he looked at his daughter, she saw a side of him she’d have never in a million years guessed he had. The more she got to know the gruff horse trainer, the more she liked him. That wasn’t the best idea for her, she cautioned herself. Getting involved with the father of one of her students—no matter how fascinating he might be—was definitely not going to happen. She had no intention of jeopardizing her teaching career by starting out with such a foolish mistake.

So, since anything serious with him was off the table, she resolved to keep him at a polite, professional distance. It shouldn’t be too hard, she reasoned. He was clearly doing the same with her, although she didn’t quite understand why. Normally, she had to push men away when she discovered they were more interested in making nice with her well-connected family than in dating her. Because of her evasive maneuvers during their first meeting, Mike had no idea who she was, but for some reason he was still keeping his distance. While that suited her in one sense, in another it made her want to find out why.

That wasn’t likely to happen today, so she took a seat next to Abby on a bench at the large oak table in the Kinleys’ kitchen. The sprawling white farmhouse had a comfortable feel to it, from the bright windows letting in sunlight and a soft breeze, to the mellowed wood of the carved cabinets that lined the walls. “Maggie, you have a beautiful home. How old is it?”

“Nearly a hundred years,” she answered as she piled cookies onto a plate. “My husband, Justin—God rest him—inherited the place from his granddad who moved here from Ireland just before the First World War. Back then, they trained horses for the military, then Justin and his father got into the racing business. And our boys, of course.”

“I just broke ’em in,” Mike clarified. “Dad made ’em into winners.”

The pride in his voice was tinged with sorrow, and Lily said, “He sounds like a wonderful man. I’m so sorry you lost him.”

“You have to make time to dance every single day,” Maggie advised as she set the cookies on the table and sat down beside her son. “You never know how many songs the Good Lord will grant you.”

“Is that an old Irish blessing?” Lily asked.

“Justin’s,” Maggie replied with a nostalgic smile. “No matter how tired he was at the end of a day, he always took me for a spin.”

“You’ve got the broken toes to prove it,” Mike teased, and she laughed.

“That’s the truth of it. I adored that man, but he wasn’t light of foot, to be sure.”

“Grampa used to dance with me, too,” Abby said, pointing to a collection of family photos on the wall. One was of a large man wearing suspenders and a flannel shirt who bore a strong resemblance to Mike. Gazing down at the tiny bundle he held cradled in his muscular arms, the man had a delighted smile that reminded her of the way Mike had looked at his daughter earlier. Lily was touched by the way the strong Kinley men seemed to melt in Abby’s presence.

Despite his brusque demeanor, she could easily see that Mike had inherited more than his father’s build and good looks. Recognizing that, she felt her vow to keep him at arm’s length beginning to waver. Maybe these riding lessons weren’t the best idea she’d ever had. If she was smart, she’d invent a reason to stop coming to the farm and avoid the temptation of getting closer to Mike. If only she didn’t feel so at home here, she added with a mental sigh. The animals were enticing enough, but now that she’d met more of his family, she liked the place even more.

“So,” Maggie said while she handed Lily an icy glass of sweet tea, “how was your first lesson on Gideon?”

“I’m not ready for an equestrian team yet, but I think it went pretty well.”

“I’m afraid I’m not much of a teacher,” Mike confessed with a grimace. “Gideon did his best, though.”

This was her chance to begin creating that space she’d just been pondering, but she couldn’t bring herself to let the poor man believe he’d failed her somehow. “You both did, and I really appreciate it.”

That got her a grateful look, as if he wasn’t accustomed to being praised for what he did. Something about this man tugged at her soft heart, and any thoughts of ending her lessons disappeared. After all, it wasn’t as if she’d be dating him, so that wouldn’t cross the professional line she’d drawn. And as her social-butterfly mother had often told her, you could never have too many friends. Recalling that upbeat advice, she smiled and made a mental note to call Mom later for a chat. An unapologetic free spirit, she’d been divorced from Lily’s father longer than they’d been married and spent most of her time exploring one fascinating place or another. She was in Barcelona these days, and it had been two weeks since their last call—way too long.

Abby finished chewing her cookie, then looked at Mike with shining eyes. “Daddy, I just had a mindstorm.”

“Brainstorm,” he corrected her with a chuckle. “What is it?”

“At lunch today, I was telling my friends how when we lived on the ranch, you taught me how to ride when I was three. They thought it was really cool, and some of them wished they could learn, too.”

“Yeah? Which ones?”

“Kennedy, Brianna, Jillian.” She added several more names, ticking them off until she ran out of fingers. Then she cocked her head with a chiding look. “They’re all real. Ask Miss St. George.”

Obviously smothering a grin, Mike flashed Lily a somber look. Having gotten used to spending most of her time in her own company, she was pleased to be included in the Kinleys’ lighthearted banter. Playing her role, she held up her hand. “Scout’s honor.”

His gaze refocused on his daughter. “And you’re saying they want me to teach them?”

“Everyone thought you were really cool when you came in for show-and-tell. Especially Peter.”

“The boy whose dad died last year?” She nodded, and some of the skepticism left his eyes. Lily understood that he felt a kinship with the fatherless boy, and her estimation of the reserved horse trainer rose a few more notches.

Maggie tsked in sympathy. “I remember hearing about that. Such a tragedy for those children to lose their father so young. I’m sure we can find a way to do something for Peter, at least.”

“Well, we can’t tell him yes and the others no,” Mike pointed out in a resigned tone. Sending Lily a “help me” look, he went on. “If we offer him lessons, we have to do the same for everyone in Abby’s class.”

She’d love to give him an out, since he was making no secret of the fact that he wasn’t totally thrilled with the idea. But Lily knew how much it would mean to several of the children, not to mention Abby. Playing host to her friends at the farm would turn her into a minor celebrity, and despite his standoffish demeanor Lily suspected Mike might actually enjoy it. “That’s the best approach with kids. That way no one feels left out.”

“You should come, too, Miss St. George,” Abby breathed excitedly. “You could keep us all quiet and in line, just like you do when we’re at school. And Daddy can work with the horses, ’cause he’s good at that.”

While Maggie didn’t say a word, her hazel eyes glimmered with her opinion. Abby’s glowed like a clear sky, but Mike’s were a murky blend of blue and gray. The color had more than a tinge of warning to it, and Lily was inclined to take it seriously.

“I don’t know, honey. That’s a pretty big commitment for your father and me to make when we’re already busy with other things.” By Abby’s puzzled expression, Lily assumed she’d used a word beyond the girl’s six-year-old vocabulary. “What I mean is, we wouldn’t want to get started and then have to disappoint you and your friends because it takes too much time.”

“You could just do a few lessons,” she argued, her eyes beginning to well. “I’ll help, I promise.”

“I don’t mean to sound greedy,” Maggie said, “but the money would come in handy around here. If enough children sign up, maybe you could even take a few less wedding jobs,” she added, giving her son a prodding look.

A glint of humor warmed his eyes, and he shook his head with a good-natured grin. “You sure know how to hit a guy where he lives. Why don’t you two schemers wait in here while I talk to Miss St. George outside?”

Lily appreciated him giving her the chance to flee if she chose not to sign on, so she excused herself and followed him to the door. The screen creaked as he opened it and held it open for her to go out ahead of him. When they reached the far end of the rambling porch, he leaned back against the railing and folded his arms with a sigh. “Sorry about that. I had no clue that was coming.”

“A Kinley tag team,” she commented with a light laugh. “They’re good.”

“Tell me about it.” After a moment, he went on. “Look, if you’re not into this, it’s really no big deal. Riding herd on a bunch of rug rats isn’t my first choice of things to do, so if it never happens, I’d be okay with that.”

Something in his voice tipped her off, and she tilted her head with a smile. “You’re a terrible liar. The minute Abby started tearing up, you decided to go along and give her friends riding lessons.”

“Yeah,” he grumbled, staring up at the bead-board ceiling of the porch roof. Coming back to Lily, he went on in a wry tone. “When they handed her to me at the hospital, I knew there’d never be anything I wouldn’t do for her. Sappy, huh?”

“Sweet,” Lily corrected him quickly. “I guess that makes her Daddy’s girl.”

“You must know something about that yourself.”

“I used to.” The words slipped out before she could stop them, and Lily cringed at the slicing bitterness she heard. Attempting to blunt the edge, she continued. “Dad and I don’t see eye to eye on too many things these days. You must know what I mean. I’m sure your father wasn’t too excited about you leaving the family business to strike out on your own.”

“Actually, he was. We worked well together, but he always knew I’d have to make my own way eventually. After Abby was born, he and Mom came out to visit us at the ranch I managed in New Mexico.” Pausing, he gave her a sad smile. “He said he admired me for being my own man and making a good life for my family. I was never prouder in my life.”

“That’s wonderful. Good for him.”

Lily couldn’t help envying Mike’s solid relationship with his father. With the St. Georges, sons went into the family business, and daughters were expected to marry someone of the proper standing to join the fold. Natalie had lived up to her obligation, but Lily simply couldn’t bring herself to stick with the plan. Everyone but her generous grandfather considered her one step shy of a straitjacket, but she was pretty sure her plucky great-grandma Katie was up in heaven cheering her on.

“Doing your own thing isn’t easy,” Mike said, “but I can promise you it’s worth it.”

He gave her a sympathetic look that told her he’d picked up on things she hadn’t meant to tell him. She wasn’t sure what to make of his perceptiveness, but in that brief moment, she got a glimpse of what Abby must see in him. A serious man with a dry sense of humor who loved her with everything he had and would find a way to give her the moon if she asked him for it. That’s how he must have been with his wife, Lily knew instinctively. And again, she couldn’t help wondering what had gone wrong between them.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“This ain’t my first rodeo, sweetheart,” he informed her with the scowl he so frequently used. “That look you’re wearing means trouble with a capital T.”

“It’s none of my business.”

“That never stops any woman in this family.” His tone was less cynical now, but only slightly. He gave her a “go ahead” look, and she decided this was as good a time as any to satisfy her curiosity about his divorce once and for all.

“I’m just wondering about you and your ex,” she began awkwardly. When he didn’t respond, she took it as a prompt for her to continue. “You mentioned her earlier, but you didn’t say much. Was it a friendly split?”

“It was pretty one-sided. Dana left us when Abby was a year old, and beyond getting her signature on the divorce papers, we haven’t heard from her since.”

Delivered in a monotone, those words were devoid of emotion, but there was plenty of it crackling in his eyes. Bitterness and disgust battled for space, and the harsh set of his jaw told her precisely how much that betrayal still angered him. Lily had never met the woman, but she was human enough to acknowledge that she pretty much hated Dana, too. “That’s awful. My parents are divorced, but they both always made sure I knew how much they loved me. How could Dana abandon her family like that?”

“If it was just me, I could’ve taken it,” he explained in a low voice seething with rage. “We had our problems, but that was no reason for her to walk out on her own child the way she did. I’m just glad Abby doesn’t remember any of it. I don’t know how I’d explain it to her.”

Lily was beginning to see how his mind worked, and she had to admit she was impressed. His anger wasn’t for himself, but for the daughter he cherished. Lily had run up against more egotistical men throughout her life than she cared to recall. Finding one who put others before himself was a refreshing change.

Putting that very personal observation aside, she got back to why they’d come out here in the first place. “So, about me helping with the riding school.”

He shrugged. “Totally up to you. I’m good with a partner or going solo.”

His intent to do the lessons with or without her help belied his casual indifference. Something told her that he was the kind of guy who feigned carelessness to avoid giving people too close a look at his heart. Which, judging by his gentle treatment of animals and children, was a lot bigger than he probably cared to admit.

“Well, let’s try it for a while,” she finally decided. “I can at least get you started until you and the kids are better acquainted with each other. After a couple weeks, you might be fine on your own.”

“Or hopelessly insane. Could go either way.”

Laughing, they shook hands to seal their arrangement.

* * *

“Y’know, you’re gonna make my daughter’s day.”

“Should we go tell her the good news?” Lily asked with a smile. She’d tensed up at one point while they were talking, and he got the feeling their conversation had plucked a nerve for her. He hardly knew her, but he hated to think he’d done something—even inadvertently—to upset this sweet-natured woman.

“After you.”

The second they were back in the kitchen, Abby’s face lit up as if it was Christmas morning. “We can really do lessons?”

“Sure,” he agreed with a mock growl. “What else’ve I got to do all summer?”

“Thank you, Daddy!” Launching herself at him, she wrapped her arms around his waist in the kind of hug he’d never get enough of if he lived a hundred years. Then, to his surprise, she reached out one hand and pulled Lily in, too. Beaming up at her new friend, she said, “And thank you, Miss St. George. Having you here will make things so much better.”

Lily tilted her head in obvious confusion. “For who?”

“All of us,” Abby announced confidently. “And I promise to help with everything. I’ll tell all my friends, and we’ll make tons of money to keep the farm running. Right, Grammy?”

She glanced over at the woman still seated at the table, hands folded in front of her in a pose Mike knew all too well. She’d been praying, and he fought the scowl threatening to break through. She knew exactly how he felt about all that religious nonsense, but she’d gone over his head and directly to God, who’d made it clear that He’d lost interest in Mike long ago.

“I was thinking,” Lily began as she and Abby sat side by side on the bench, “we could design a logo for our school. Then we can print up flyers and maybe get some T-shirts made for the students. They’d enjoy having them, and when they wear them around town, other people will notice and get interested in taking lessons, too. If we get enough students, we could even have a horse show at the end of the summer. That would bring lots of people to the farm to see the great work you’re all doing with the animals here.”

Mike wasn’t sure how they’d gone from a few lessons to a full-blown circus, but he had to admit her idea had merit. Not only would it give the students something to work toward, when their families attended the show Gallimore Stables would get the kind of exposure it needed so desperately. He’d been racking his brain for months for a killer idea, and Lily had come up with a winner in the space of a single conversation. Amazing.

“That’s a great suggestion,” he commented with none of his usual reservations. “It could be just the thing we need to help us get back on track.”

“I’m glad you think so.” Giving him a grateful smile, she focused back on Abby. “Do you have any ideas for our logo?”

“Sure!” Popping up from her seat, Abby fetched a stack of blank paper and her tub of crayons from the rolltop desk in the corner. One of the many antiques his mother had lovingly collected and restored, over the years it had been everything from the farm’s bookkeeping space to storage for an endless jumble of paperwork. Now it was Abby’s art center, with her latest projects proudly displayed on the corkboard behind it.

“I don’t think Lily meant now,” Mike cautioned his energetic girl as gently as he could.

“No time like the present,” Lily corrected him with the kind of chipper tone that would have come across as forced from anyone else. With her curly ponytail and sparkling blue eyes, though, it suited her perfectly.

Uh-oh, he thought glumly. That was no way for him to be thinking about his daughter’s teacher. And new business partner. When that realization struck him, he sat down and gazed across the table at Lily. “Before we get all caught up in this, I think we should discuss the setup for this school.”




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