She quickly cleaned the kitchen and grabbed her coat and gloves. She stepped outside and breathed in the crisp cold air. How glorious to be able to go outside whenever she wanted. She’d taken so much for granted before Andy kidnapped her. For the first time in a very long time, she didn’t have the need to look over her shoulder. Maverick was right, she’d be safe here.
The barn was bigger than she remembered. The smell wasn’t as unpleasant as she remembered either. Horses stuck their heads over the stall gates and stared at her. She stopped at the first stall and stroked the nose of a brown horse. It had a white patch on its forehead.
“That there is Peaches.”
Her heart pounded as she whirled around in panic.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I startled you. I’m Wes. You must be, Anora.” His hair was very short and his brown eyes were fringed with thick eyelashes. He had a bit of a crooked smile.
“Yes, you did startle me. Nice to meet you, Wes. I was just admiring this brown horse, Peaches is it?”
“Yes, Peaches is a bay. Her knee is swollen so it’s stall rest for her for a while.”
“What’s the white patch on her forehead called?”
“It’s called a blaze. Many horses have them in all shapes and sizes. Peaches is a sweet mare. Now her friend in the next stall isn’t always so sweet. Be careful when you approach her.”
Anora frowned. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing much, she has a few lacerations on her. Her name is Lydia. Her problem is that she thinks she’s the queen out there in the pasture but the other horses don’t like her bossiness and they let her know it.”
“What do you mean? How’d they let her know?”
“They bit her and kicked at her. She’ll calm down soon enough. They eventually learn their place. I just thought I’d tend to her cuts and give her a break from her pasture buddies.” Lydia put her head over the stall door, stared at her and turned away.
“I guess I don’t rate,” Anora joked.
“She’s a fickle one. Likes you one day, ignores you the next.”
“She’s used for breeding?”
“We’ll see. She’s a beauty, but she’s still too young. I went to an auction to find some prime horses and ended up with her too. I just couldn’t leave her there. I can’t save all the horses, but I thought I’d try to save her.”
“Save her from what?”
“A lot of the horses that aren’t bought get sold to buyers for next to nothing, and they sell them to slaughter houses down south.”
“How awful! I had no idea that happened. I hope Lydia works out. What happens if she doesn’t?”
“There is always an empty pasture; we rotate the horses so there will always be a safe place for her.”
“More strays, Wes?” Belle asked as she waltzed into the barn. She looked sophisticated with her hair up and her understated makeup. Anora felt a pang of jealousy. She’d never look like that.
“Belle, great to see you!” Wes exclaimed.
“You too, Wes. And, Anora, I’m so excited you’re here! Finally, another female to talk to. I like the men, but they never change, they have the same old stories they’ve been telling since I was knee high.”
“I’m nowhere near that age. I hope you don’t think of me in the same light.”
Belle smiled at Wes. “Of course not. You’re the exception.”
“What about me?” They all turned and stared at Cooper.
Belle’s eyes softened as she closed the space between them and threw her arms around his neck. “Cooper!” She laughed as he lifted her up and swung her around. Wes frowned as he watched.
“It’s good to see you, Tidbit.”
She slugged him in the shoulder. “Tidbit indeed. I’m a grown woman aren’t I, Wes?”
Wes glanced at Belle. His face reddened as he nodded. “You have grown.”
Belle glanced at Cooper in triumph. “See, I told you.”
“You’ll always be Tidbit to me. Nice to see you again, Anora. What brings you out to the barn?” He gave Anora his full attention.
Belle appeared hurt and Anora didn’t know what to do. “I just wanted to see the horses is all. Wes was just showing me around when Belle arrived. I’ve never been around horses before.”
Cooper reached out his hand and took hers. “Come let me show you the babies.”
“I thought they were called foals.”
“See you do know something about horses.” She looked over her shoulder as Cooper led her down the barn. Wes’ eyes were widened in surprise while Belle had a look of defeat about her.
“Belle, come look at the horses with me,” she suggested.
“I have some unpacking to do. You go ahead.” Her words were stilted.
“I’ll see you at dinner,” Cooper yelled.
“Why are you coming to dinner?” Her eyes narrowed as she frowned.
“Your brother invited me. What are you making?”
“Humph.” Belle turned and stomped out of the barn.
“I’m making dinner, Cooper, not Belle.”
“Good, looking forward to it. I was just teasing Belle. We grew up together. She’s like a kid sister.”
“Brother and sister is it? I thought maybe there was a bit more than that brewing.”
Cooper ignored her, let go of her hand and led her to the two fillies. “Thing One and Thing Two.”
“You’re kidding right?”
“Of course I am. Belle does the naming. I tried to steer her to the Greek mythology name route, but she wanted to be free to name them what they looked like to her. We have a Rainbow, a Sunshine, Motor Boat—”
“Motor Boat?” She laughed.
“She did it to make me mad. I wanted to name the colt Schooner and she took my boat idea and changed it to Motor Boat.”
“Sounds like you all are very close.”
“We are. It hasn’t been the same since Belle went to college. I’d hoped she’d be happy to stay put and live on the ranch. She’s destined for bigger and better.” His shoulders sagged.
“You never know. Thanks for showing me Thing One and Thing Two. I’m going to go and visit with Belle. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“See you later, Anora.”
She walked down the middle of the barn, stopping to wave goodbye to Wes and headed to the house. As soon as she walked in, Belle stuck her head out of the kitchen doorway.
“Come and have coffee with me. We have a lot to catch up on.”
Glowing at the invitation, she smiled and eagerly sat down, mug in hand. “How’s college?”
Her brown eyes brightened. “I really love it. This is my last year and I’ve had so many great experiences. I’m working with my professor on a special breeding program.”
“Sounds like fun! Is that lab work?”
“No, I’m training to be a vet. My professor is trying to breed better cutting horses. Personally I don’t think it’s all in the breeding. Training goes a long way to make a good cow horse. Heck, one of his horses is afraid of cattle.” They both laughed. “Tell me when did you get here?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We have until we make dinner and that’s hours away.”
“I decided to come live here a few weeks ago.”
“I thought you wanted to spend time with your family.”
She nodded. “I did. I spent almost a year with them. At first it was fine. I didn’t mind them hovering over me and never letting me out of their sight. I understood their need to have me safe. I had the same need. I wanted to get a job, but it was forbidden. I wanted to go to movies and to the mall, but I had to have one of my parents with me at all times. They meant well, but I’m not the fifteen-year-old girl they knew. I had to grow up fast and I craved independence. The last straw was when I wanted to get my own apartment and they refused to allow it. I’d traded one jailer for another. I know it’s not entirely true, but it’s how I felt. I went ahead and bought a second-hand car and I got the if you live unde
r my roof speech. It was hard, but I left.”
“They know where you are don’t they?”
“Of course. I couldn’t put them through that hell again. We did family therapy and it helped all of us to understand one another, but they just didn’t want to let go. I swear they never knew what to say to me.”
“I’m sorry, Anora, but I’m glad you’re here.” Belle reached across the table and laid her hand on top of Anora’s. “I bet Maverick was really happy to see you.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think so. I think he felt responsible since he rescued me yet again.”
Belle smiled. “He mentioned you an awful lot while you were away.”
Her face grew warmer and warmer. “Do you need help unpacking?”
Belle laughed. “I can take a hint. You don’t want to talk about Maverick.”
“It’s not that. He has been amazingly generous allowing me to stay here.”
“Let’s go upstairs and you can keep me company while I unpack.”
Maverick’s step quickened as he walked up the front steps. Belle was home. He always felt a sense of completeness when Belle was home. It was lonely without her, except lately with Anora around. He flung open the front door and smiled. “Something smells good,” he called out.
“Maverick!” Belle yelled as she ran from the kitchen and launched herself at him.
“Trying to kill me?” He asked as he took a step back with her in his arms to keep them from falling.
“You never drop me.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek before she slid out of his arms. “We’ve been cooking!”
“Smells great. Where’s Anora?” It hit him how much he’d looked forward to seeing her.
“In the kitchen. It’s so good to see you!”
“You too, kiddo. How long are you staying?”
“I have to be back right after Christmas.”
“That’s not very long.”
She smiled. “I know and I feel bad, but Anora will keep you company.”
“I hadn’t planned for her to stay that long—” Glancing up he saw Anora standing in the hallway watching them.
She gave him a brief nod. “I’ll be out of here soon. Don’t you worry.” She turned and went back into the kitchen.
“Maverick!”
“What? I didn’t know she was there.”
“Still I want her to feel welcome. She’s had a really hard life and she’s my friend.” She shook her finger at him.
“I want her to feel welcome too.” He linked his arm with Belle’s and escorted her toward the kitchen. It would be easier to control his feelings for Anora if she wasn’t always around. “Cooper is having dinner with us tonight.”
“I know he told me. Don’t play matchmaker, Maverick. I don’t want hurt feelings.”
“I see the way you look at him.”
“He doesn’t look at me the same way.”
Maverick glanced over Belle’s head and met Anora’s gaze. They smiled at each other as if she too knew how Cooper felt about Belle.
“Hello, Anora.” He loved the way her cheeks grew pink.
“Hi, Maverick,” her voice was soft and shy. “Dinner will be ready in a bit.” He studied her under fringed lashes. Did she even know how lovely she was? Probably not. He saw how hard she swallowed before she told them she’d be out soon. It was a bit like kicking a one-winged bird. When would he ever learn to keep his mouth shut? Instead, he stumbled through life never saying the right thing.
What did he really know about women anyway? The only one he ever liked was his sister. His gaze traveled over Anora’s face. Her high cheekbones and lush lips made him so aware of her. He sighed. He’d have to add her to women he liked.
“Is something wrong?” She tilted her head watching him.
“No, honey, nothing is wrong. In fact, I was just thinking how lucky I am to have such lovely dinner companions.”
Belle’s laughter rang through the kitchen. “You might as well spit it out.”
“Spit what out?” he asked.
“You gave a compliment. You must be after something.”
He rubbed his jaw. “Do I really do that?”
“You bet you do. Anora, watch out for this smooth talking devil,” Belle said as she winked at Maverick.
“If you’re ready to eat…”
Maverick smiled at her. “Nicely done.”
“What?”
“Changing the subject. You did it nicely. I never could get the hang of being diplomatic.”
Anora smiled and quickly turned away. Damn, her smiles made him feel good. He heard footsteps in the hallway.
“Cooper is here. Let’s eat,” he said as he nodded toward the dining room. “Cooper, what would you like to drink?” He left the kitchen but not before he saw the wistful glance Belle gave Cooper. It was only a matter of time before wedding bells would ring. He stopped short, and Cooper walked into his back. “Sorry. The word wedding popped into my head and I thought for a minute I might be ill.”
Cooper laughed. “Taking a shine to her are ya?” They walked to the sideboard where the whiskey was.
“No, I well, hell I have no idea what I’m talking about. Maybe I’m going a bit crazy.”
Cooper took the offered glass of whiskey. “You wouldn’t be the first one who went crazy over a woman.”
“I think we’re on the wrong subject. Let’s sit and see what we’re having.”
“Lasagna. Belle always makes me lasagna her first night back,” Cooper told him.
“I guess I hadn’t noticed. She should be making something I like. I am her brother.”
Belle placed the big lasagna dish on the table and started putting portions of it on plates. “You both like lasagna but if you’re going to fight about it, this will be the last time I make it.”
“Anora, did you happen to write down the recipe while you two cooked? I hate it when Belle has something to hang over my head.”
“Are they always like this?” Anora asked Belle as she shook her head.
“Yes, that’s why I love coming home.”
Anora sat down and pretended to smile. It didn’t reach her eyes and Maverick wondered if she missed her family. For some reason, he didn’t imagine much laughter at her house. What a tough life she’s had.
“Best I’ve ever had!” Cooper exclaimed as he wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin.
“You always say that,” Maverick remarked.
Cooper frowned. “Say what?”
“Best you ever had. You say it every time Belle cooks for you.”
Both Belle and Cooper blushed. Belle glared at him. “You’re a trouble maker, Maverick.”
“Just stating the truth.”
“It is really good, Belle,” Anora said.
Maverick stared at his guest. “But is it the best you’ve ever had?”
“Absolutely. If she never makes it for you again, you only have yourself to blame.” Her eyes widened and she slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. It’s not my place.”
“I’m sorry, Anora. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It started out as light teasing. Truthfully I’m afraid Cooper will steal Belle from me.” He groaned. “Damn, I didn’t mean steal.”
“It’s okay, Maverick, I know what you meant. I think it’s me making everyone uncomfortable. If you’ll excuse me.” She stood and hurried out of the dining room. The front door closed.
“She left because of me.” Maverick threw his napkin on his plate.
“No, Mav. I think she’s having a hard time trying to figure out where she fits in life. She wants to be independent, but it scares her to death. I think it took every ounce of bravery for her to leave her parents and come back here. I noticed how her hands often shook in the kitchen.”
He nodded to Belle. “You’re probably right, but I need to go after her. Cooper, I was just kidding and all.”
“Hell, Maverick, I know. Just go after your frightened filly.”
His filly? When did that happen? He
liked her more than he should, but he wasn’t equipped to help her. He stood, left the dining room and went after Anora. He looked in the barn first and was surprised she wasn’t there. He glanced over at the corral, still no Anora. He finally found her sitting on the steps leading to Cooper’s house. “What are you doing out here?”
“I knew he wasn’t home.” She didn’t glance at him, she studied her feet instead.
He sat next to her wondering what to say. “I wanted dinner to be a happy affair, and I’m sorry I upset you.”
“It wasn’t you, it was me. I’m still afraid if I say the wrong thing I’ll be punched in the face for it. I can reason that it won’t happen, but I frighten too easily. I drive myself crazy, I can’t imagine how I made you feel. I know you’d never lay a hand on a woman, but my reactions are instinctive and well learned. The last thing I want is for you to start tiptoeing around me. I constantly dismayed my family, and I didn’t know how to act any different. They wanted their happy, carefree daughter back, and I’m not that person anymore. I have panic attacks, I can’t sleep and I’m still in fear of doing or saying the wrong thing.” She placed her hand on his arm. “I don’t even like me, so don’t feel bad if you don’t either.”
“Not like you? Anora, I like you a bit too much.”
“You just feel sorry for me. Everyone does. I’m a curiosity, not someone to actually have as a friend. I think I’m best alone.”
“Behind your door with four deadbolt locks?”
She nodded. “I feel safe here too. I just don’t know how to interact with people in a normal way. Andy stole all that from me. This past year I’ve worked so hard on not feeling useless. I finally figured out what happened to me was not my fault. I did what any reasonable person would do when faced with threats and violence. But I’m not normal.”
He put his arm around her and held her tight. “Sounds to me like you’re on your way to figuring it all out. Things take time. I don’t even know what normal is, I won’t have any expectations of how you should act. I do know healing takes time. It takes even longer when it’s your heart and soul. It must have taken an abundance of courage to come out here on your own. Hell, you drove by yourself. That takes courage. You didn’t crumble about that brick. You got mad instead.”
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