Her Small-Town Cowboy. Mia Ross

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СКАЧАТЬ 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.”

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