"Cal?" Garrett stood behind her. "Are you alright?"
Callie didn't want him to see her tears; she simply nodded her head, hoping he would go away. She could feel him coming closer, when he turned her around she lost it. It was as though a dam broke. Shame and heartache washed over her.
She grabbed a tissue. "I have some unpacking to do..."
"I'm sorry, so sorry. I never got the invitation, honey. You know I wouldn't have missed your graduation for the world."
Damn him! He looked so sincere. "I'm sorry too." She walked away.
An hour later Callie heard the men saddle up and ride away. They were probably going to ride the fences. Callie couldn't stay in her room forever. She wasn't one to hide, but she knew Garrett could read her and she didn't want him to know she loved him. How could she learn to hide her feelings?
Walking through the house, she smiled and touched the worn furniture. It might be old but it belonged to her. Her mother's glass angel collection hung near the window. The sun radiated through the glass hitting each piece just right to give each angel a glowing, rainbow effect. It gave her the comfort she'd been seeking; her mother was watching over her, she knew it.
She grabbed three apples and headed out to the barn. She wasn't a fool. What was that old saying -- don't look a gift horse in the mouth? It sounded stupid but true in her case. The silver filly in the corral made a remarkable sight. Nanny stood just outside the fenced in area watching the new horse. Nanny had made a new friend.
Callie headed into the barn and moved toward Pirate's stall. He sniffed at the apples in her hand before grabbing one.
"So what am I going to do?"
He put his head next to her face as if he understood her turmoil. She sighed and moved to unlock his stall when she heard a commotion outside the barn. She ran out and watched Nanny chasing the silver filly inside the corral. From the new filly's agitation, it looked like Nanny hadn't made a new friend after all. She walked into the corral, and locked the gate after her. Giving Nanny an apple, she stepped past her and slowly approached the new horse. 'Hey, beautiful," she said, in a soothing voice. "I'm going to call you, Misty. A beautiful name for a beautiful horse," she murmured, getting closer to her.
Callie edged forward holding out another apple. Misty seemed receptive and Callie smiled with relief. Suddenly Nanny came trotting up and Misty reared up on her hind legs, her front hoof hitting Callie on the temple. Callie fell to the ground and the filly reared again, glancing Callie in the ribs.
Nanny bit Misty on the neck and immediately stood over Callie. The last thing she saw was Nanny's underside. Then everything went black.
About the Author
Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...
Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.
Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.
Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and
memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.
Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride
There's something about a cowboy
Other Books by Kathleen
Lasso Spring Series
Callie’s Heart
Lone Star Joy
Stetson’s Storm
Dawson Ranch Series
Texas Haven
Ryelee’s Cowboy
Cowboy Season Series
Summer’s Desire
Autumn’s Hope
Winter’s Embrace
Spring’s Delight
Mail Order Brides of Texas
Cinder’s Bride
Keegan’s Bride
Shane’s Bride
Tramp’s Bride
Poor Boy’s Christmas
Oregon Trail Dreamin’
We’ve Only Just Begun
A Lifetime to Share
A Love Worth Searching For
So Many Roads to Choose
The Settlers
Greg
Juan
Scarlett
Mail Order Brides of Spring Water
Tattered Hearts
Shattered Trust
Glory’s Groom
Battered Soul
The Greatest Gift
Love So Deep
Luke’s Fate
Whispered Love
Love Before Midnight
I’m Forever Yours
Finn’s Fortune
Glory’s Groom
I'm Forever Yours Page 10