“Benny,” Kade replied and completely stopped Keiffer’s heart.
All the air seemed to disappear from the earth. He twisted to face his brother-in-law, only to find three gazes on him.
“Are you okay?” Caitlin stepped closer, concern darkening her gaze.
Shit. He didn’t want her worrying about him. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat and glanced at Kade. “What’d you say it was?”
“Benny.”
Son-of-a-bitch. No way.
Somehow managing to drag air into his lungs, Keiffer turned back to the rescue and slowly stretched out his hand, palm up, pleased when the gelding drew close to nudge his hand. Not normally one to believe in superstition, he couldn’t ignore what just happened.
“Name mean something?” Kade asked.
He held back a snort. Damn straight. It meant he was helping the horse.
***
Caitlin’s stomach fluttered the instant Keiffer had stepped into the barn and it hadn’t stopped since. Now she watched with her heart in her throat as the unresponsive gelding responded to him, venturing near to nuzzle his outstretched palm, then shifting closer into his touch.
She understood. Lordy how she understood. The man had a way of making her feel needed, important…wanted. Once upon a time she’d basked in his warmth, during a low period in her life, and was all the better for it. She longed to give back without scaring him away, but had no idea how.
Not now, though. It wasn’t the time. The poor gelding was her main concern. He’d been seized ten days ago, along with another, both scoring a two on a scale of one to ten for body condition, with one being the worst. The court released them to Shadow Rock yesterday. But it was too late for one of them. He was just too far gone. The neglect had been too long and too trying on the poor thing. Try as she might, Caitlin hadn’t been able to coax Benny to eat. Today’s exam yielded no medical reason for the paint not to eat.
It was all internal.
No one had been able to reach him yet, not even Kade or Jesse, Harland County’s resident horse whisperers. Granted, they hadn’t had him long, but still, the two usually made progress within an hour or two of collection.
“Do you have anything to eat?” Keiffer asked unexpectedly.
She frowned and glanced from Kade to Jesse, to Keiffer again. Even though it was over two hours since breakfast, she was shocked by his question. How could he want to eat at a time like this? Benny barely had enough energy to stand. They needed to get the horse to eat. The starving horse hadn’t touched any of the hay or grain since arriving yesterday.
“Human or horse?” Kade asked.
Keiffer glanced their way. “Both.”
Kade straightened, and she could see a proverbial light bulb go off behind his eyes. “I’ll be right back.” He disappeared and returned a minute later to hand Keiffer a candy bar while Jesse spilled fresh flake of hay and set it by Keiffer’s feet. “Let’s retreat to the hall and give them some space.”
Knowing not to make any sudden movements, she quietly followed Kade and Jesse out of the stall to observe from a distance. To her surprise, Keiffer didn’t approach the horse, or touch him—or even talk to him. He simply set the hay near Benny before lowering himself to the floor where he sat with his back against the wall and legs stretched out in front of him. The horse’s ears twitched but he remained still, watching Keiffer, warily, yet intently at the same time. Slowly, Keiffer unwrapped the candy, then meet the horse’s gaze, raised the chocolate as if in a mock toast before taking a bite.
Caitlin stilled, just like the two cowboys at her side. She didn’t blink, didn’t breathe, just watched to see the horse’s reaction. After several long seconds, he lowered his head to the bucket and began to eat.
The urge to “woot” and weep and hug the nearest person shook through her, but she managed to keep it all inside, except for the shaking. Okay, that and a few stray tears. But through it all, she didn’t make a sound, determined not to spook poor Benny now that he was making an effort to eat.
A large hand gently tugged her elbow. She glanced up into Kade’s face. He tipped his head toward the door, so she nodded and followed the men outside. Fresh air would help. She brushed the tears aside and sucked some in.
“Looks like you can go home, Jesse.” Kade held out his hand to her friend’s boyfriend. “Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime,” the dark-eyed cowboy replied. “I’m glad Keiffer was able to get through.”
Another tear slid down Caitlin’s face. Dammit. She swiped it away, trying desperately to shove her emotions behind that closet door in her mind. She was thrilled Benny was making an effort, but not all of her tears were for the horse.
“Me, too.” Kade removed his Stetson, then shoved a hand through his short hair before returning the hat to his head. “There’s still a long way to go.”
True. Benny was far from out of the woods. In the short time Caitlin had worked with Doctor Kirkland, she’d encountered more neglect cases than she cared to count. It made her sick. How could someone be cruel to a defenseless animal—especially one who depended solely on you for its care—and just to decide one day to take off?
Jesse said his goodbyes, got in his truck, and drove away.
Kade turned to her. No one had an intense stare down pat better than former sheriff, Kade Dalton. “You heading up to the house for lunch? I think Brandi said something about you meeting her and Shayla.”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I just need a moment.”
“You were good with him.”
She sniffed. “I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. It was Keiffer who got through to Benny.”
“I wasn’t talking about Benny.”
Air funneled into her throat and her eyes blurred. Again. Dammit. “Kade,” she cleared her throat. “In order for him to relate…”
Keiffer’s spirit had to be just as broken as the horse’s. God, that hurt. That hurt so bad to think about.
“I know.” He set his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “Seems as if fate threw those two together for a reason.”
She nodded, feeling oddly comforted by the thought. “I hope they can help each other heal.”
“I’m pretty sure fate threw you in his path for that, too.”
“Me?” She reeled back. “To do what? He’s only here for a few weeks.”
“Take it from someone who’s been in his boots.” Kade’s expression darkened. “I know where he’s coming from. No matter how much he denies it, that man needs you. Don’t give up on him. Don’t let him push you out of his life.”
“But I’m not even in his life.”
A smile twitched the man’s lips. “Oh, you’re in there all right, Caitlin. The way light actually entered his gaze when he saw you today? You’re definitely in his life, and I’ll bet the ranch he’s not happy about it.”
She had no idea what to make of that or say to that so she remained quiet. The thought was as frightening as it was exciting, and was better left to ponder later when she was alone. Right now, she needed to put all thoughts of Keiffer and his pain out of her head if she was to face his sister and hers.
“Well, I’d like to give those two some alone time, so I’m going to head to the office,” Kade said. “You going to be back to check on him tonight?”
“Yes. He’s on my schedule for morning and night stops.” And now, she couldn’t help but think Keiffer somehow got added to that list.
Relief entered the gray gaze holding hers. “Good. That’ll ease Brandi’s mind.”
Brandi’s?
Before she could question him, the quick cowboy disappeared around the barn.
Shoot. Caitlin hoped the woman didn’t really expect her to be able to help her brother. She was not the guy’s salvation. She was no one’s salvation.
Hell, she hadn’t done a thing to help her mother and sister all those years ago. Useless. That’s what she was when it came to helping humans.
It’s the reason she got into animal
care. At least her track record with them was a hell of a lot better.
The phone buzzed in her pocket. She withdrew it to read her sister’s text reminder about lunch. Caitlin contemplated slipping back into the barn to check on the wounded males, but she knew instinctively that what the two needed wasn’t anything she could give them. It had to come from within.
Shoving her cell back in her jeans, she sucked in a deep breath and locked her emotions for Keiffer behind that closet door in her mind. No need to upset Brandi. The woman was pregnant and extra emotional.
Caitlin got in her car and used one of her facial wipes to remove all traces of her earlier outburst. Definitely best to enter the ranch with her normal carefree attitude. She tossed the wipe away, straightened in her seat, and slowly headed up the drive.
If either woman caught a whiff of her concern, or worse, her still extremely strong attraction for the guy, she was toast.
And she didn’t even like toast. She preferred bagels, especially from New York.
Memories of the last time she’d had one flashed through her mind, along with some hot and heavy Keiffer action.
Dammit.
Now she was going to walk inside all flushed.
Chapter Three
Caitlin was halfway through lunch when she set her fork down alongside her salad and sat back in her chair, tired of being a bug under a microscope for her lunch companions. “Okay, you should ask me whatever it is you two are dying to know, because I only have a half hour before I’m due back at the clinic.”
A flush rose into Brandi’s face and she squirmed in her seat. “Sorry, Caitlin. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just wondering how Keiffer did with the rescue.”
“Yeah. How’d that go?” Her sister lifted her iced tea and drank, her gaze direct and face not at all red. Just her hair.
Bugger.
They had the same genes, and yet, Shayla got the gorgeous auburn hair, while she got stuck with the mousey brown.
“He did great, actually.” Not wanting to discuss why she thought Keiffer connected with the horse, Caitlin chose her words carefully. “As a matter of fact, he got Benny to eat.”
Brandi sucked in a breath then smiled, delight chasing the worry from her expression. “He did? That’s wonderful. Kade told me how bad the poor thing is, but asked me not to go to the rescue barn. Said it would be too hard for me to see, especially with these pregnancy hormones making me cry at the drop of a hat.”
“Oh, man, and commercials are the worst,” her sister groaned.
“I know,” Brandi agreed. “I can’t turn the TV on without having a box of tissues nearby. What’s up with that?”
“Beats me.” Shayla shrugged.
Caitlin reached for her drink. “Well, Kade’s right. Wait a few weeks. Give your brother time to work with him and help us get Benny on a healthy track.”
The woman nodded. “I will. Thanks.”
After a few sips of water, she set her glass down to pick up her fork, intending to finish her delicious chicken Caesar salad when her sister cocked her head and grinned.
“So, Keiffer’s meeting with the horse went well. How about his meeting with you again?”
“Yeah.” Now Brandi was grinning. “How’d that go?”
She sighed inwardly and stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork. “We actually ran into each other at the Pub when I stopped in for breakfast sandwiches.” Not that it was much of meeting since he’d barely spoken, but the women didn’t need to know.
“Well? What’d he say? What happened? Come on, spill it, Sis.” Shayla sat back in her chair and regarded her intently.
Caitlin shrugged. “Not much. Just the usual pleasantries. And in the barn, we mostly talked about the horse.”
There. No lies. All truths.
“That’s all?” Brandi frowned.
“Yeah. I’m sorry. He really didn’t say much. But you know how it is in a rescue. The environment has to stay quiet.”
Her friend’s expression cleared. “That’s true. Maybe next time you two see each other you’ll talk.”
Caitlin’s insides fisted. “Maybe. But there’s really not that much to talk about. He isn’t staying. I already got the impression he’s counting down the days until he leaves.”
“Really?” Disappointment furrowed Brandi’s brow. “Shoot. I was hoping…”
Feeling awful for being the bearer of bad news, she reached across the table to touch the woman’s hand. “At least he’s here now.”
Brandi nodded again and patted her hand. “There’s that.”
Caitlin offered up a smile before she released her to pick up her fork.
“Well you can at least tell us what you thought of Keiffer,” her sister stated.
“What do you mean?’
Shayla lifted a shoulder. “His hair. Beard. You know, overall appearance. It’s quite a change.”
“I’ll say.” Brandi chuckled. “I nearly fell off my chair last month when Ethan texted me the picture of Keiffer with Matt after the Fort Worth race. Although, I suspect he’s trimmed the beard since that photo.”
Even though she’d been warned of the drastic change in Keiffer’s appearance, no one had prepared Caitlin for how damn hot he looked. Warmth flooded her face while butterflies took flight in her stomach just thinking about it. “I can’t get over how completely different he looks.”
His eyes and voice were the same, though. And his lips. Shoot. She hadn’t meant to notice that, but she had, and immediately remembered how incredible it felt to have them grace her body.
Suddenly parched, she reached for more water and drank half the glass. It was going to be a long three weeks, especially if she was going to constantly be reminded of their past.
“I’ll take that to mean you think he’s hot.” Shayla’s lips twitched.
Since she’d just had that very thought, Caitlin snickered. “Something like that. He’s got this Taylor Kitsch thing going on.”
“Yeah! That’s it! He does look like the guy from that football TV series set in Texas.” Brandi grinned. “I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.”
The thing was, Caitlin wanted to put her finger on it, and him…everywhere. And that was bad. Very bad.
“Well, I think he looks great either way.” Brandi smiled. “But I’m biased.”
“No, you’re right.” She grinned back. “All your brothers are hot.”
And that’s when Brandi’s youngest brother walked into the room.
Swell.
Keiffer.
Looking all Taylor Kitsch-ish, stealing her breath without trying. Damn him. Their gazes collided and her whole body woke up and proclaimed him king. But she knew by the wariness in his gaze that he wasn’t interested in the throne.
She set her fork down for good and stood. “Well, I’d better get going or I’ll be late.” She glanced at Brandi. “Thanks for lunch.”
“Of course. Any time.”
And because he appeared uncomfortable she pushed her own awkwardness aside and smiled. “Thanks, Keiffer.”
His head jerked back. “For what?”
“For getting Benny to eat,” she replied, coming to stand in front of him. Big mistake. Big freakin’ mistake. This new Keiffer oozed sex appeal at an alarming rate. The awareness tingling her body when he’d entered the room just increased in voltage. She cleared her throat, practically vibrating in front of him.
That was new.
He lifted a shoulder. “Just did what I thought he needed.”
Damn, she’d forgotten about his gravely tone. Had it always been that low? She gave herself a mental shake. What was wrong with her? She was acting like an idiot. This was the worst time to have…whatever it was she was having. “Well, I’ll be back later tonight to check his vitals and everything.”
It was a warning. Not only for him, but for her.
She held his gaze to make sure he got the message. He nodded.
This crazy energy thing flowing between them was
dangerous. The less she saw of Keiffer Wyne, the better. No way would she be able to fight it for long. It was best to avoid overexposure.
“Come on, Sis, I’ll walk you out,” Shayla said, appearing at her side, and together they left the house.
She turned to her sister when they reached the end of the porch. “You trying to give them some alone time?”
“Yeah.” Shayla nodded. “With Amelia and Cody in school, Sarah taking a nap, and Jen running errands in town, it’s one of those rare times in the house when it’s quiet. I figure they should take advantage of it.” She set a hand on Caitlin’s shoulder and squeezed. “Besides, I wanted to talk to you to see how you’re really doing.”
She raised a brow. “Me? I’m fine. Why?”
“Even a zombie could feel that crackling in there.” Shayla nodded toward the house. “I’m worried about you. Believe me, I know very well how easy it is to get caught up in a strong attraction.”
She smiled. “You and Kevin are great together. You have such a sweet family.” Caitlin envied the relationship between her sister and brother-in-law. It was strong and respectful, playful and passionate. Everything she longed to have someday.
Topped her bucket list.
Shayla’s gaze softened. “I’m so very lucky. It’s pretty amazing, and everything I wish for you to find.”
“But?” She cocked her head. “I heard a ‘but’ in there.”
“But, well—” Her sister blew out a breath and glanced at the house again before meeting her gaze. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. Keiffer’s only here a few weeks, and he’s dealing with some heavy demons and well, you know he has a lot—”
“I know,” she cut her off and set both hands on the concerned woman’s shoulders. “I’m not looking to start anything with him. Why do you think I warned him I’ll be around later? That was for both our sakes.”
Shayla pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry. I know having him here is going to be tough on you. Just remember, you can talk to me if you need to.”
Her Troubled Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 9) Page 4