“They do, but Quasar is an unusual shade of tan. He’s a gentle giant.”
Chloe nodded and turned to the next stall. She reached out to pet the horse when Mandy grabbed her hand. “Come on, you have to see Ariel.”
Storm chuckled. “She gets a little impatient.”
“A little? Ya think?” Chloe laughed as she let Mandy lead her to the end stall where a beautiful brown and white Shetland pony stood. The pony walked to the stall door when she heard Mandy’s voice. Chloe glanced at Storm. “She knows Mandy that well?”
“Yes. A horse learns fast and always knows its master or mistress. Ariel loves Mandy.” Storm unlatched the door and followed Mandy in then lifted her up onto the pony’s back. Mandy giggled and grabbed a hank of Ariel’s mane.
“She’s braver than I am.” Chloe shuddered thinking of the little girl on the back of the powerful animal, which made Storm laugh.
“I’ll show you the horse you can ride without worry. We’ll get Claire to watch Mandy while I teach you to ride, if that’ll work for you. I won’t send you out on a horse without learning some basic commands first. I promise.” He lifted Mandy off the pony and with his daughter in hand started walking across the barn.
“All right,” Chloe muttered. As far as she was concerned, he could teach her anything he wanted and she knew there were things he definitely excelled at very well. She followed him to a stall across the barn. The horse that stuck its head out was beautiful.
“Oh my heavens...what a beauty you are,” Chloe said brushing her fingers along the horse’s nose.
“This is going to be Mandy’s horse when she gets big enough to ride her. Her name is Rosa. She’s a four-year-old American Quarter horse.”
“I thought you only had Arabians?”
“I do, except for this one. We went to a reigning competition two years ago in Butte, Montana and while we were watching the cutting horse comp, a rider came out on this gorgeous black and white horse. Mandy fell in love with the horse so after the show, I found the rider and asked him if he’d sell the horse––”
“He sold you his horse? Just like that?” Chloe raised her voice.
Storm shook his head. “No. Wyatt wouldn’t sell him, but he said he had a two-year-old mare he was thinking about selling. He told me the younger female was almost identical to the one I asked to buy, since his horse was the sire.” Storm shrugged. “So we made arrangements for Mandy and me to visit his ranch in Clifton, Montana. Once Mandy saw Rosa, she wanted her. I bought the horse for her on the spot. She’ll need a horse when she gets bigger and Rosa is perfect for her.”
“You went all the way to Montana to buy a horse for your daughter?”
Storm looked sheepish. “I tried to find one closer but none were as pretty. If you could see Cochise, you’d understand.”
“I guess,” Chloe murmured.
“Besides, I’ll do anything for my daughter. Yes, I spoil her but I’m all she has and she’ll never go without, if I can help it. If it’s possible for me to get it for her, I will.”
Chloe grinned. “Daddies and their little girls.”
“Didn’t your daddy spoil you?”
Chloe cleared her throat. “No. So, I can ride Rosa and not worry about being thrown?”
He stared at her moment, and she suspected he wanted to ask but then decided against it.
“She’s very gentle. Come here.” He put his hand out to her. She hesitatingly put her hand in his and he pulled her into the stall. “Just rub her nose and talk to her.”
The horse was beautiful and friendly. Chloe rubbed her nose and crooned to the horse. When Rosa butted her head against her, she almost fell over. Storm caught her. She gazed up at him and watched as his eyes skimmed over her face and settled on her lips. She licked her lips and heard him groan and start to lower his head.
“Daddy? Did Chloe fall?”
As if burned, Storm set her away from him. “Almost.”
Mandy nodded. “Good thing you catched her, huh?”
“Caught her,” Storm corrected.
“Okay. Pick me up, Daddy. I want to see Rosa.”
Storm picked her up and turned away from Chloe. He was going to kiss her. She knew it and she’d wanted it. Very badly. Only, she wanted more than his kiss. She wanted all of him...every single inch of him. Chloe mentally shook her head. The memories tried to enter her head. Maybe it really wasn’t such a good idea to stay here with him but right now, she didn’t have a choice.
She watched as Storm held Mandy close to Rosa. Mandy rubbed the horse’s nose and Rosa seemed to love the little girl. Chloe kept glancing at Storm from under her lashes. She shivered and he turned to look at her.
“If you’re cold, you probably need to go back inside.”
“I’m fine but we’ll get going anyway, and let you get back to work.” She reached for Mandy and the little girl came into her arms.
“I’ll see if Claire can watch Mandy tomorrow so you can have a lesson and ride Rosa for a bit.”
“All right.” Chloe turned and swiftly walked from the barn, returning to the house. She set Mandy down and took her coat, mittens, and hat off then removed her own. Her thoughts were still back in the barn with Storm. That man was going to drive her insane.
She’d made the first move the last time but she wanted him even more now. In the two years since they’d been together, she’d never forgotten being with him. He was a fantastic lover and she knew all she had to do was think of being with him again, and she’d get hot. She’d only been with three men, or rather two boys and one man, before Storm but she was sure they were lacking in the sex department compared to him, because she never had an orgasm with any of them. Not even Shane, the man to whom she’d been engaged. But in a rushed flurry of sex and in the backseat of his truck, Storm had made her come twice. She shivered again at the memory and then glanced down at Mandy, who was sitting on the floor removing her boots. When she yanked the second one off, the little girl yawned.
“I’m sleepy.”
Chloe glanced at the clock and was surprised to see it was past one. “Aren’t you hungry? How ’bout a snack or some lunch?”
Mandy shook her head. “Nah, I want a nap.”
Chloe touched her hair. “Are you feeling all right, Mandy Pandy?”
“Uh-huh...just sleepy,” Mandy said around a yawn.
Chloe frowned, then called Storm’s cell phone and asked him to come to the house. He was there in minutes. The back door flew open and he stepped inside, the cold following him in.
“What is it?” She could hear the worry in his voice.
“Mandy wants to nap again. She hasn’t been up that long and she says she’s not hungry.”
Storm glanced away from her to his daughter then he squatted down in front of Mandy. He brushed her hair back from her face and cupped her cheek. “Are you feeling all right, Mandy?’
Mandy nodded. “Yes, Daddy. I’m just sleepy.”
Chloe watched him frown but he picked his daughter up and carried her to her bedroom. She followed behind them. Storm placed Mandy on her bed and pulled the covers over her.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have taken her outside...”
“She was fine earlier and she likes to visit me in the barn. It’s not your fault. Maybe she’s just tired because she was so sick last night. It does takes a lot out of a person. Big or little.”
“That’s true. I just panicked when she said she wasn’t hungry and her being so tired.”
Storm chuckled. “You’ll get the hang of it. Trust me though, she will test you.”
“I love you, Daddy,” Mandy whispered, and then she peered around him and looked at Chloe. “I love you, Chloe.”
Chloe’s throat seemed to close with sudden emotion and her heart nearly melted. “I love you too, sweetheart.”
Storm leaned down and kissed the top of Mandy’s head. “I love you, baby girl. Take a nap and I’ll see you later.” Then he stood and nodded for Chloe to follow him.
; When they entered the living room, he turned and he stared at her. “I want to know about you tonight. It’s been long enough.”
“All right,” she said, realizing she had held out long enough.
“My daughter is getting attached to you and I want to know what’s going on with you. Got it?”
“I’ll tell you,” she whispered, not looking at him.
“I know it’s been less than a week, Chloe. I know you’re stuck here but I want to know about the wedding gown and what the hell you were doing in it in the middle of a snowstorm.”
“I get it, Storm,” she said through clenched teeth.
“You have a family in California.”
“No. I don’t.”
“Yes, you do and tonight you’re going to tell me about them.” Without another word, he left her staring after him.
Chloe flopped down onto the sofa and put her hands over her face. She did owe it to him but to actually sit down with him and tell him was so scary to her. What if he sided with her parents? She snorted. How could anyone side with her parents? Well, David’s parents had, hadn’t they?
She fell over to her side on the sofa, closed her eyes, and felt the tears slip out. She wondered why her parents even had her. They had never really been parents to her. Jennifer, the chef at the mansion, and her husband, Albert, who was the chauffeur, were more like parents to her than either of those responsible for her being born. From the time she was a baby, they had adored her and she them. She missed them so much. If it hadn’t been for Albert talking her into leaving, she’d be married to David right now and no doubt, she and David would both be miserable. She curled onto her side and soon fell asleep.
CURLED UP ASLEEP ON the couch was where Storm found Chloe a few hours later. The snow was getting heavier so he had sent the men home and finished the work himself. He was no stranger to hard work and he loved working with the horses. Mucking out stalls wasn’t new to him by a long shot. After lighting the fire, he took a seat in his recliner and stared at her. Her long blonde hair fell down the front of the sofa, silky and reflecting the light from the fire making him want to run his fingers through it.
Taking a deep breath, he stood and headed to Mandy’s room where he quietly entered and leaned over her. She was still asleep. He touched her forehead. Her temperature seemed normal so he was sure she was fine. However, she usually only took a two-hour nap and it was going on three. He decided to let her sleep another hour then he would get her up. She needed to eat. Maybe she was simply worn out from being sick.
Storm closed her bedroom door and walked into the living room to see Chloe sitting up and leaning back against the sofa. He almost groaned looking at her with her eyes filled with sleep and her hair mussed. When she stretched her arms above her head, his cock stretched with her then she smiled up at him.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I should check on Mandy.” She stood.
“She’s fine. I just checked on her and she’s still sleeping.”
Chloe frowned at him and glanced at the clock. “Should she still be sleeping?”
“Rest is good. I’ll let her sleep another hour. She’s probably just tired from being sick. Chloe nodded but he noticed that she avoided looking at him. He strode to his chair, sat down and leaned forward with his arms on his knees. He clasped his hands together and stared at her. “I think that will give us enough time.”
“For what?”
“For you to tell me why you were running away from your wedding.”
“Actually, I ran away before the wedding—”
“Chloe,” Storm growled.
“All right. You already know my parents own a string of hotels.” Chloe shrugged. “I told you they were rich. Anyway, my fiancé, or rather ex-fiancé’s name is David Cook. His family owns the Cook Hotel chain. Our parents have wanted us to marry since we were children as a way to combine the hotels. They didn’t want a merger as much as they just wanted the families connected. With David and I married, we would have income from both hotels but the businesses would be kept in the family names. My mother insisted we be married the same year I returned to California. She threw the wedding together in less than three months.”
“I know all of that. I did talk with you at Dakota and Megan’s reception, and Cooper told all of us about it the day before that.”
“Oh...well, I really don’t understand the reasoning behind us marrying. I just know this was how they wanted it. They claim it was so that when they were no longer around, the hotels would stay in the families’ respective names. That way, even if David and I divorced, the hotels would remain with the original families but if we remained married, it would mean more money for all concerned. However, they planned it so that if we ever did divorce, we would lose all income from the hotels, and they’d have it go to charities instead, leaving David and I with nothing. It’s all they care about—money, always money. David and I were never in love. We were more like brother and sister. He didn’t want to get married to me any more than I did to him. He’s actually in love with someone else. You see, he’s gay, but his parents told him he’d be disowned if he married Brad instead of me.”
“What about you? Haven’t you ever been in love with someone?”
“I thought I was in love twice but one time, my parents paid him to leave me. It hurt me but if he really loved me, he wouldn’t have taken the money. Right? The other man was Shane and he was killed in a car accident before my parents even knew about him.” Chloe shrugged. “My parents said everyone had a price and they’d succeed in paying off anyone I got involved with. They also threatened to disown me if I didn’t marry David. They were giving me a monthly allowance. It’s how I was able to keep the restaurant open and live in the house my grandmother left me. If they cut off the allowance, I’d lose the restaurant and have to close it. I couldn’t let that happen because my grandmother meant the world to me. My parents said it was time to leave Dry River and marry David. At first, I was devastated they would do such a thing but after talking with Albert, I knew I couldn’t live that way anymore.”
“Who’s Albert?”
Chloe smiled at him. “Albert is the family’s chauffeur and gardener. He’s married to Jennifer, the chef who I told you taught me to cook, along with my grandmother. I love Albert and Jennifer both so much. They’re more like parents to me than my actual parents are. I miss them though.”
“Maybe you should call them. Let them know you’re all right.”
“I should, you’re right. I will soon.” She blew out a breath. “The day of my wedding, my parents were already at the church and Albert came inside to get me. The limousine was sitting out front. He walked me out and helped me into the backseat. He got in behind the wheel, but didn’t start the car. I looked up at him in the rearview mirror and he had tears in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong, and he said, ‘This whole thing. You don’t love David as a woman loves a man and he doesn’t love you in that way either.’ I told him I knew that, but our parents would disown us if we didn’t do what they wanted. Albert just shook his head and asked me if that really mattered. Didn’t my happiness mean anything to me?” Chloe shook her head.
“It was like a smack in the head. He was right. It was time I did what I wanted to do and that meant, not getting married to David and coming home to Wyoming. I’m twenty-eight years old and my parents are still trying to run my life. They hated me living here in Dry River with my grandmother, but I love it here. I told Albert I wasn’t getting married, that I was going to leave immediately and come back here. He helped me get my suitcases out of the trunk and put them in my car. I called David and told him Albert was going to bring him his suitcases, and that he should marry Brad as well as use our tickets for the honeymoon to Aspen.” Chloe laughed. “He said he hadn’t even left for the church yet either and that Brad was with him. I hit the road, still in my wedding dress, and started driving. I didn’t stop until I ended up here, in a snowstorm. David no longer cared about being disowned either. They g
ot married. He is happy with Brad. Money doesn’t matter to them either.”
Storm stared at her, not really sure what to say. “Wow! I’m sure your parents are looking for you though. I’m sure they’re worried.”
“Nope. My mother has left several messages on my phone, but not once has she asked me to call and let her know I’m all right. She doesn’t care. She’s disappointed in me and will never forgive me is all she says. I’ll never go back to California or them.” Her voice caught and he knew she was fighting back tears.
Storm stood and moved to sit beside her on the sofa. He took her in his arms and held her while she cried. How could her parents treat her like that? How could any parent treat their child like a possession to be used or discarded for their own ego? He mentally shook his head since he knew all too well how it was for a mother not to care at all about her daughter and discard her as if she never existed.
Chapter Five
Chloe sobbed on Storm’s shoulder for what seemed ages but couldn’t seem to stop. He handed her a tissue and she blew her nose then pulled back from him. She stared up into his handsome face and saw such great sadness there. Was it for her or was he thinking of the wife who left him and his daughter? She sat up and moved away from him.
“Chloe...are you all right?” Storm whispered.
She nodded and released a cleansing sigh. “I will be. I’m used to it. They’ve ignored me since the day I was born. As I said, I’m closer to Albert and Jennifer. They never had any children and have always showed me lots of love and affection. My grandma did too. She was such a wonderful woman and was so very disappointed in the way her son treated me. I think it’s why she left me her house and the restaurant.” She couldn’t take her eyes off him as he leaned toward her. When he pressed his lips to hers, she couldn’t stop the moan that tore from her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she opened more for him. His tongue entered her mouth and tangled with hers.
Storm lifted her onto his lap and his fingers combed through her hair as he tilted her head back for a deeper kiss. He growled low in the back of his throat as she ran her fingers up the back of his hair and pulled him tighter to her. His lips left hers to slide across her cheek to her ear. He sucked the lobe into his mouth, making her shiver. She felt him grin against her neck as he trailed his mouth down her neck to her collarbone before coming back to her lips. His lips were barely touching hers when he whispered. “I want you so much.”
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