“That’s enough, Mitch.” Rita scolded from the other end of the table. Madison remembered Rita mentioning Mitch’s name earlier. He thinks he’s the boss over all creation. Madison made a mental note to steer clear of him.
Before things went any further, Carsten cleared his throat. “This is Madison. She is an interior designer hired temporarily at the Running R. I trust you will treat her as honorably as any other guest.” He waited for the murmurs of assent to ripple through the cowboys.. “Now, let’s give thanks.” Carsten bowed his head, and the other men followed suit—except for Mitch who boldly continued to hold Madison’s gaze.
Madison stared, still in shock. She was used to receiving appreciative glances on the streets in New York, but Mitch turned her stomach. She bit her lip and told herself that she was safe. If Carsten didn’t think these men were dangerous, then they weren’t. She was just jumpy because of the break-in.
The prayer ended and Madison realized with a shock that she hadn’t caught a word of it. She offered a silent blessing over her food and began to eat.
Madison ate silently, trying to blend in. The last thing she wanted right now was attention. Between bites, Madison caught snippets of Carsten’s conversation with the men closest to him. The workers knew that Carsten now owned the ranch, and it sounded as if several of them were concerned about their jobs. Madison smiled as she listened to the gentle assurance Carsten doled out. No one would be fired if he had his way.
“Ahem!”
Too late, Madison realized that Rita had been trying to get her attention for quite some time while she’d been watching Carsten. Fighting back a telltale blush, she turned her gaze to the older woman. “I’m sorry, I was just day dreaming.”
Rita’s lips pursed. “Mmhmmm. I was going to suggest that Carsten take you out on the ranch after lunch. I know he’d like to refresh his memory of the land. Maybe a horseback riding tour would be just the thing.”
Madison felt something jump in her stomach at the thought of getting on a horse. Clearing her throat, Madison pasted on a smile. “I haven’t…ever really, you know…ridden… before.”
Rita grinned behind her glass of tea. “There’s a first time for everything.”
Nope. Not today there wasn’t.
Madison nodded politely and picked up her own glass.
“Do I hear some plotting going on?” Carsten broke into their conversation. “I’d love to go riding with you, Madison.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but Carsten continued.
“You might get some inspiration for your designs. The countryside is beautiful.”
Madison knew he had her cornered. She figured he knew it as well.
“Sounds great,” she lied. Great. Now what?
Madison watched as Rita sat back in her chair, looking overly pleased with the results of the conversation. Interesting. What was she up to? She made a vow to observe the woman carefully for the remainder of her stay. Because the last thing her heart needed was someone playing the role of matchmaker.
~*~
An hour later, Madison found herself inside the stables. She tried to ignore the nervous twinge attempting to take over her body and followed Carsten bravely down the hay-strewn aisle to the right wing of stalls. The distinct, musty smell of hay and horses assaulted her senses, and she fought the urge to pull the collar of her shirt up over her nose.
“Pretty nice place,” she commented, as much as to distract herself from what she was about to do as to compliment.
Carsten nodded, looking around proudly. “It always was. Andrew’s top priority was keeping this place maintained. I used to joke with my father about how the barn was prettier than the house.”
Madison cast a second look around and was tempted to agree. The stables were very well-kept and clean. She remembered that the horses she had seen from her bedroom window were beautiful and well groomed. And large. Her professional side strove to appreciate the architecture of the barn while at the same time, her stomach churned, trying to remind her of the upcoming inevitable contact with the creatures.
Carsten gentled his tone as they stopped in front of a stall door. “This is Sasha. She’s a sweet old mare. I remember riding her when I was a teenager. You won’t have any problems with her.”
Madison peered over the tall gate. A pretty dappled gray mare stood in the corner of the stall munching on hay. She seemed harmless enough.
Sasha ambled over to the door and stretched her neck over the top. Madison gulped and took a step back, and then realized the horse was just being curious. Madison reached out and tentatively petted Sasha’s nose.
“It’s so soft!” Madison grinned in spite of her apprehension.
The appreciative smile on Carsten’s face gave her a burst of courage, and she ran her hand down the length of the mare’s neck. This wasn’t so bad.
Sasha nickered softly and went back to her hay.
“And this,” Carsten began, stepping sideways to the stall neighboring Sasha’s, “Is my mount, Samson.”
Madison’s eyes widened as she looked over the stall door and then up…up…
Samson stood in the center of his stall, neck arched proudly. He stretched taller than any horse Madison had ever seen. She had to admit he was beautiful, solid black with just enough of a white splash on his nose to give him character and remind her of her favorite children’s book, Black Beauty.
“He’s...giant.” Madison whispered.
Carsten chuckled and reached out to pet the horse. Samson stood proud, as if acknowledging Carsten’s presence would be too far below him. After a moment of coaxing, the horse walked just close enough to the stall door to allow brief contact with Carsten’s outstretched hand.
“He was born here on the ranch during one of my visits. Andrew let me take care of him while I was here.” Memory clouded Carsten’s eyes, and Madison bit her lower lip. She knew how he felt.
“He’s got fire. I have several people interested in buying him already. They think he’d make an excellent stud horse.” Carsten studied the stallion before turning back to meet Madison’s gaze. “And he would. But I could never part with him.”
Madison softened at the love she saw between the man and his horse. That was something she didn’t get to see in the city. She smiled. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Carsten slapped his hand against the top of the stall door and faced Madison. “Before you leave the ranch, you’ll be riding him like a real cowboy, lil’ missy,” he said with an exaggerated cowboy drawl that sounded completely ridiculous combined with his natural German accent.
Madison shook her head, and her hair swished in front of her face. “No way.” She’d be doing good just to get on Sasha.
Carsten reached out to brush the flyaway strands of her hair back into place. The moment his fingers touched her cheek, their gazes locked and held. Madison’s mouth opened, but she forgot how to breathe. She imagined herself back in Germany, once more in a beautiful courtyard, dancing on a fountain wall with the man of her dreams.
Carsten’s eyes darkened to a shade of blue she had only seen in a winter sky. His hand slid back to cup her neck in his palm. He began to pull her closer, and Madison’s stomach dipped again, this time for a completely different reason.
The touch of his lips on hers sent a rivulet of contentment down her spine. She felt so at home in his arms.
Suddenly, Samson let loose an indignant whinny, and Carsten released her abruptly. Madison’s heart sank. She blinked, wondering how Carsten could have possibly backed away that fast. Her lips still tingled from his nearness, and her heart shouted in confusion. What just happened?
Carsten turned toward Samson’s stall, bracing his arms against the top of the door. He ran a hand through his hair and took a ragged breath. “I’m sorry.” He hung his head and then after a moment, turned to face her. Looking straight into Madison’s eyes, he apologized again. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
Madison nodded jerkily, turning to
face Samson. It was easier than looking into Carsten’s face and wondering why he thought he had to ask forgiveness for a simple kiss. She frowned in confusion. It wasn’t as if it were their first. Did he not remember that magical moment in Germany? They’d never discussed it. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe that night had meant nothing to him.
Sorrow shot tiny arrows into Madison’s heart. She glanced at Carsten. He seemed to be waiting for a response. She cleared her throat and shook back her hair. “No problem.” She forced a quick smile then turned her attention back to the horse in front of her. Maybe he was right—kisses would only make things more confusing right now. She was here to work, not for romance.
She fed Samson a handful of hay, all the while her heart crying out. Change the subject already! Say something, anything…
Carsten dusted his hands off on his back pockets. “How about we get them saddled and ride on out?”
Madison, despite her fear, found herself ready to agree. Riding, as scary as it might be, had to be better than their current awkward situation. She straightened her shoulders and nodded.
~*~
Carsten mentally kicked himself as he lifted the supple leather saddle onto Samson’s back. He cast a glance over his shoulder at Madison, who stood outside the stall door, staring off into space. She looked confused—or scared. Had he put that look in her eye, or was it already there? She had been nervous about riding—but something told him this was more than that.
Biting back a groan, he tightened the girth strap on the saddle, pressing his knee into Samson’s side so he’d release the stubborn breath of air that kept his saddle loose. Carsten had learned that lesson once the hard way. Luckily, only his pride had been bruised.
He lifted each of Samson’s hooves, checking for lodged stones or rocks that would make him uncomfortable during their ride. As he lifted Samson’s back leg, the stallion leaned heavily against him, pushing his weight into Carsten’s shoulder. Carsten pushed back. Didn’t he have enough of a burden already? He quickly secured the bridle, then opened the stall gate and led Samson out into the aisle.
Madison quickly shuffled backward, eyes wide. Had she moved away from him or from the horse?
“Don’t worry, Samson is perfectly safe to be near,” he said, hoping it was the horse she was afraid of. “Just no sudden movements by his head. And don’t walk directly behind him.”
Carsten smiled, but Madison’s expression didn’t change. What had he done? He didn’t want her to fear him, but he supposed he couldn’t really blame her. He was forever stealing kisses. No wonder she was so stiff. When would he learn?
Their chemistry, though, was so tangible that it practically pulsed right between them in the barn— And at the house. And on the plane. And wherever they were together—unable to be denied.
But he had to start denying it, or Maddie wouldn’t last three days out here with him, much less long enough for him to figure out how to keep her safe.
He looped the reins around the post outside the barn door, and went back to prepare Sasha for the ride. Madison stayed near the stall door.
He definitely shouldn’t have crossed that line again. He was a professional, nothing more than the hired help from her father. That meant she was off limits, no matter what her eyes did to his heart. He’d do good to remember that.
He had no doubt Teddy Lawrence would enjoy reminding him.
~*~
Several minutes later, Madison found herself balanced precariously on Sasha’s back, one hand gripping the reins, the other wrapped so tightly around the saddle horn that she had already lost feeling in her fingers.
“Relax.” Carsten was suddenly standing beside Sasha. Madison glanced down. Her knee was even with Carsten’s chest. She knew Sasha wasn’t that big of a horse, especially compared to Samson, but at the moment, she was felt as if she sitting in the sky.
“How is that possible when I’m on this…this…gigantic beast?” Madison hesitated, and then corrected herself. “Sweet beast, I meant.” She didn’t want Sasha to become offended and decide to throw her off.
Carsten ducked his head, but Madison caught the grin he tried to hide. She appreciated the effort to cover his amusement and decided to try and toughen up. If only her friends in New York could see her now. Shan would already be having a fit…
“Shan!” Madison’s eyes opened wide as she realized that she had yet to inform her friend and partner of her whereabouts. Shan would be worried sick that she hadn’t come in to work
Carsten’s jaw dropped. “You haven’t called her yet?
Madison slumped down in the saddle. “I never thought about it after I woke up from my nap. She probably thinks I’m sick. I bet I have a hundred missed calls on my cellphone.”
“If she’s waited this long, she can wait another hour. Let’s go while the horses are ready. I’ll remind you to call her once we get back to the house.” Carsten took charge of the situation and Madison surprisingly found herself letting him. She decided to ponder that thought later, and turned her full attention back to the horse underneath her.
10
Carsten pointed Samson toward the south, and Madison followed on Sasha, barely daring to breathe. Sasha snorted and tossed her head, as if sensing Madison’s nervousness. She danced a side step, and Madison shrieked.
“You have to relax, Maddie.” Madison started at the nickname and looked up to see Carsten twisted around in his saddle, eyeing her over his shoulder.
“Sasha can tell how you feel. If you relax, she’ll relax. You’re making her nervous.”
“I’m making her nervous?” Madison repeated incredulously. Nevertheless, she took a deep, shaky breath and relaxed her muscles. Sasha snorted again and then calmly walked forward after Samson.
Madison kept a tight grip on the saddle horn, but found herself relaxing more and more with each step. The farther they moved from the ranch house, the more beautiful and wild the scenery became. Wildflowers took over the meadow that stretched for miles, dotting the acreage with shades of purple, yellow and pink. Rolling hills led to the mountains in the distance, standing firm against the sea of green. Springtime was kind to Montana.
She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun as the horses turned uphill. She noticed that Carsten rode easily, as if he had been born in the saddle. He made it look so simple.
Reaching forward, Madison dared to pat Sasha’s neck. The mare tossed her head and nickered softly. Madison caught herself smiling.
So why couldn’t the people in her life respond to her affection the same?
~*~
Carsten turned in his saddle to check on Madison, and smiled at the scene behind him. He felt a surge of pride over the way she had risen to the challenge. She looked much more comfortable in the saddle compared to an hour earlier. A gust of wind blew over the hills, and lifted Madison’s blonde hair. The sight instantly took him back to a cold night in Germany, where the sudden appearance of a blonde angel had taken his breath away.
Carsten loosened the reins and let Samson have his head as he revisited his favorite memory of all time. That night had been magical. There had been something in the air, whether it was a whisper of the future or a gift from God, Carsten wasn’t certain, but it had been there, just as tangible as the ground beneath his feet as he had walked home from the office that snowy night.
He had been in a foul mood. His work weighed heavily on his mind. Ever since his father’s passing, all burdens had fallen to his shoulders. It was a tiresome load, and it was all he’d been able to think about as he’d headed for his apartment. He wasn’t sure what had coaxed him to take a new route home that evening, but he had followed the urging inside. It had led him to the clock tower in the courtyard. Even as an adult, he liked to gaze at the tower. It took him back to his childhood, and reminded him of the stories his mother used to read at bedtime, back before he grew up, before life became so complicated.
It was only fitting that he would experience his own fairy tale there in the same
courtyard. Madison had appeared with the wind that evening, shivering inside her coat, a vision in a red dress that celebrated the coming holiday. Carsten remembered the evening like it was yesterday, not six long years ago.
He smiled to himself. Madison had found him to be smooth and charming. She couldn’t have known that his insides were shaking, and it was all he could do to even speak. But something had calmed his heart as he held her closely, dancing on that fountain wall. Never before had he been that impulsive. His type of business drove him to be cautious, alert, punctual and rational, not…romantic. People got hurt if he got distracted.
Carsten glanced over his shoulder again Madison had her face lifted to the wind, and the sun made her hair shine golden.
He couldn’t deny that the attraction was still there. Time had done nothing but increase his feelings for her. Carsten hoped she felt the same. But how could he pursue a relationship under the current circumstances? He was to keep her safe, not break her heart.
Carsten jerked back to reality as Samson began to jog beneath him. He had given the stallion his head for too long, and now the horse was eager to run. He pulled back on the reins to slow Samson’s gait. He didn’t want Sasha to follow suit and start running with Madison unprepared…
A grey and blonde flash flew past him, a high-pitched shriek drifting in its wake. Too late, Carsten realized that Sasha’s competitive streak wasn’t going to let a horse run in front of her and get away with it. He knew from experience that Sasha now considered herself officially in a race. This was not what he had in mind when he promised Madison that she would have no problems with her mount. He quickly nudged Samson with his knees and started after the runaway duo.
“Help!” Madison’s shrill cry of distress was distinct over the pounding of hooves.
Carsten urged Samson to run faster. He bent low over the saddle, yelling over the rushing wind. “Hang on Madison!”
“Do you think I’m going to let go?” Her sarcastic response made him smile in spite of the dangerous circumstances. At least she still had her sense of humor. He reached out as Samson came alongside the runaway mare and grabbed Sasha’s bridle.
Midnight Angel Page 6