“I think we’re right where we should be.”
She sighed, silently cursing herself for agreeing to dance with him. She should have known better.
“I love your dress, by the way,” he whispered, lowering his cheek to hers. “And your tattoo. What else do you have hiding under there?”
“Nothing you’re ever going to see.”
Her heart began pounding as his hand wandered below her waist. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of all the guests, but she wasn’t about to tolerate his advances, either.
“Kevin, stop it,” she warned, grabbing his hand and removing it from her backside. “Let’s just dance.”
“But I don’t wanna just dance. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all summer.”
When his hand traveled past her waist again, she angrily smacked it away. She tried to pull back from him, but he assertively grabbed her hips and pressed himself against her. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she smelled the liquor on his breath as he laughed at her reaction.
“I like the whole hard-to-get thing. Really, I do. But you’ve played the innocent little girl long enough, don’t you think? We both know you’re anything but.”
She forced an arm against his chest, but she was no match for his strength. “Let me go, Kevin. I’m not playing around.”
“I’m not, either.”
He grabbed the back of her head and forced his lips onto hers, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. Rebecca didn’t care anymore that they were in the middle of a hundred people. She shrieked in outrage and shoved him off her, slapping him across the face as hard as she could. Kevin glared at her with his mouth agape, his cheek bright red where she’d struck him. Before he could retaliate, someone yanked him away from her. She gasped as Alec grabbed hold of Kevin’s collar and slammed his fist into his face, sending a spattering of blood across the patio. Kevin reeled for a moment before he staggered backwards and toppled over.
It was so quiet that Rebecca could actually hear crickets chirping. The band stood frozen and the guests cleared out of the way, watching the scene in stunned silence. All eyes were on Alec, who looked more menacing than Rebecca had ever seen anyone look before. His gaze was locked on Kevin, and his words came out as a low, guttural growl.
“Get your things and get the hell off my property.”
Kevin let out an angry shout and leapt to his feet. He lunged at Alec, but Tommy jumped in and restrained him before he could strike. He tried to wrestle out of Tommy’s grasp, but Tommy easily overpowered him, pinning his arms behind his back. Heatedly Kevin cursed at Alec and spat at his feet before he shot a sinister glance at Rebecca.
“This isn’t over yet,” he hissed as Tommy and Roger dragged him away.
Chapter 10
Rebecca raced through the darkness and into the staff barn, leaning against the first stall door to catch her breath. Pumpkin nickered and popped her head over to say hello, affectionately butting her shoulder. Gratefully she stroked her nose before walking down the aisle and letting herself into Star’s stall. The skinny mare also nickered at her as she sank into the shavings and drew her knees to her chest.
“Bec?” Allison called. “Are you in here?”
She slumped lower against the wall, hoping the darkness would hide her. A moment later, she heard Allison retreat. Star ambled over and dropped her head in Rebecca’s arms, blowing, soft warm breaths into her lap. She smiled in spite of herself and pressed her face against the horse, wishing she had a sugar cube for her. She never cried, no matter how badly she’d been hurt, so she was startled when her eyes brimmed with tears. They dripped slowly down her cheeks, landing unchecked on Star’s coat.
Several minutes later, someone approached again. She sucked in a deep breath and silenced herself, praying whoever it was wouldn’t find her. No such luck. The footsteps stopped right outside Star’s door.
“I had a feeling you’d be here.”
Rebecca grimaced as Alec let himself into the stall. He crouched beside her and paused before he reached out to touch her shoulder. His gesture was innocent, but she reacted on pure instinct, shrinking away from him and flattening herself against the wall. As he withdrew his hand, she thought she saw a flicker of understanding cross his features. He confirmed it when he rocked back on his heels and settled into the opposite corner, putting plenty of space between them.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “He was drunk and he was all over me. Then he tried to kiss me. That’s when I slapped him.” She glanced over at him. “I’m sorry, Alec. I didn’t mean to make a scene in front of your guests.”
He looked appalled. “Don’t you ever apologize for defending yourself. I’m the one that made a scene, not you. If anything, I owe you an apology. I should’ve fired Kevin a long time ago.”
“It’s not your fault,” Rebecca assured him. “And anyway, I’m used to it.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. She’d just opened the door for a whole slew of questions she didn’t want to answer. To her surprise, though, Alec didn’t press her for details. He sat motionless in the corner of the stall, gazing back at her. For the strangest reason, she thought of the day they found Star–the way Alec waited with unending patience for the horse to relax into his presence. He was doing exactly the same thing with Rebecca now, and it was working. She felt the tension drain from her shoulders as she released a deep breath. Jeff had been unable to coax this conversation out of her, but once she started talking to Alec, everything poured out like a torrent.
“None of what happened back there is new for me,” she began quietly. “It’s kind of the story of my life. Every guy I’ve ever known has tried to take advantage of me, in one way or another. After my dad left, my mom started bringing home every pathetic excuse for a man she could find, then she married the worst one of them all. My stepfather’s a nightmare. His temper is uncontrollable, especially when he drinks. I came home one day when I was fifteen and found him attacking my mother with a baseball bat. When I tried to get him off her, he turned on me. All I remember was waking up next to her in the hospital and wondering how her face would ever look normal again. The sickest part is that he’s got a couple buddies in the police department, so he managed to get off with just probation.”
Alec’s face paled. “Christ, Rebecca, I’m sorry.”
She was silent for a moment, staring blankly at Star’s foreleg. “Now that I think about it, the only man I’ve ever had any respect for is my brother. But he left Southie when I was twelve, so I was stuck cleaning up the messes all on my own. A couple years ago I started dating his best friend, except he turned out to be just as bad as my stepfather. Maybe even worse.”
“Where’s your boyfriend now? Is he still in Boston?”
“No. The day before I came here, I found him dead from an overdose.”
His eyes widened. “You mean…a drug overdose?”
Rebecca realized then how foreign all of this must have sounded to him. “Yeah,” she replied. “Remember how I told you I’ve seen things you can’t even begin to imagine?”
He grimaced. “I’m starting to believe you.”
“The crazy thing is, I felt more relieved than anything else. I just headed home and packed my bags and took the train to the airport. I figured if I got far enough away, maybe those types of guys wouldn’t find me anymore. Maybe I could even forget where I came from in the first place.” She lifted her head to look at him. “How’s that for honesty?”
He didn’t respond right away. “I’m sorry for what I said to you that first day. If I had any idea–”
“It’s okay. You couldn’t have known. And I’ve seen what your clientele is like, so I understand why you’d assume that everyone from back east is well-off. Plenty of families are, for sure. Just not mine.”
Alec picked up a piece of hay and twirled it between his fingers. “Just when you think your life can’t possibly be any harde
r, you meet someone who puts it into very harsh perspective.”
“No, that’s not fair. I didn’t tell you all of that so you’d feel sorry for me. Your life isn’t exactly the picture of ease, either. I don’t know how you do what you do for your father, day in and day out. You sacrifice so much for him, and that’s no small thing. He’s incredibly lucky to have a son like you.”
“I’m glad somebody thinks so,” he responded, frowning as he tossed the hay towards the feed bucket. “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to apologize for making your first week here so miserable.”
Rebecca gave a little shrug. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Yeah, it was. I made sure of it.”
She chuckled. “Well, I wasn’t exactly the person I advertised myself to be, so you had every right to be upset.”
Alec glanced at her sideways. “Since you’re in such an honest mood, is there anything else I should know?”
“No, I think that was the highlight reel. My own brother doesn’t know half of what I just told you.”
“So why did you tell me?”
“I have no idea.”
At that, he grinned. “I’ve never met anyone like you. Whenever I think I have you figured out, you prove me wrong again.”
Rebecca gawked at him, surprised by his candor. Before she could respond, he broke their gaze and rose to his feet. “Are you going to be alright?”
“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”
“Good. I should get back, then. Everyone will want to know you’re okay.”
He extended his hand, and she hesitated only briefly before she placed her hand in his. Effortlessly he pulled her to her feet.
“Turn around,” she requested.
He frowned in confusion. “Why?”
“You’re covered in shavings,” she said, dusting off the back of his shirt. “It looks like you just went for a romp in the barn.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want anyone thinking that,” he replied, an unexpected twinge of humor in his voice. He faced her again. “May I?”
Rebecca nodded and turned, shivering as he brushed the shavings off her back. “How long ago did you get this?”
Her mouth dropped open when he traced a finger across her tattoo. His touch was unexpectedly arousing, sending chills to places she didn’t know she had.
“Um…last summer,” she managed to say, glad that he couldn’t see her face. “I designed it myself.”
“You’ve very talented. It actually looks a lot like Star.”
She glanced at the mare before turning to face him. “Thank you for what you did tonight. I’m not used to anyone looking out for me. I’ve always had to take care of myself.”
“I know the feeling. But people here look out for each other, Rebecca. You can start getting used to it.”
“I’m trying to.”
“Good. And you’re welcome.”
Rebecca watched him exit the stall. “Alec?”
He turned back to her. “Yeah?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. “I’m sorry I shied away from you like that.”
Alec considered it for a minute. “So am I.”
He disappeared down the dark aisle, the heels of his boots clicking on the concrete. Only when he vanished from sight did she lean her spinning head against the wall. He hardly knew her, and she knew even less about him. How was it possible, then, that she trusted him more than anyone she’d ever known?
*
Early the next morning, Alec called a staff meeting in the barn office. Rebecca glanced at him as she took her seat, trying not to think about the electricity she’d felt in his touch. He briefly met her gaze before addressing his staff as a whole.
“Morning,” he greeted, looking as tired as she felt. “Obviously we’re going to be a little short-staffed until I can get a replacement for Kevin. For now, can I have the girls work the morning shift, and Roger and Tommy, the afternoon shift? Hopefully I can get someone else out here next week, Roger, to give you some relief.”
“I’m just fine,” the old wrangler replied. “Don’t worry about a replacement if you can’t find one. The summer’s half over, anyway.”
“That’s true, but I still intend to find someone.” He looked down at the sheet in his hand. “In two weeks we’re bought out for a family reunion. Twelve of the more experienced riders have requested a cattle drive, so what I’m planning to do is bring two of you along, trailer the horses to our property in Idaho, then move the herd there back on an overnight drive.”
“That’s a three-day trek, Alec,” Roger interjected. “You can’t make that run overnight.”
“To the back pastures we could, as long as we keep a solid pace. I need to get those cattle moved anyway, and this is a perfect excuse to do so.” He paused. “That’s all for now. Rebecca, if I could speak with you, please.”
Her heart fluttered as her co-workers filtered out of the office and Alec closed the door behind them. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Okay. All things considered.”
“I’d be happy to give you the day off if you like.”
Crawling back into bed sounded like heaven, but Rebecca shook her head. “That’s very nice of you, but I’m perfectly capable of working today.”
Why does this feel so awkward?
The last time they were alone in this office, he’d cried in her arms. Last night, in Star’s stall, she’d poured out nothing less than her darkest secrets. This morning, though, their dynamics were back to employer-employee, and it felt bizarre. Rebecca didn’t know if she could downshift this fast. She didn’t know why her brain was shifting gears in the first place.
Alec seemed uncomfortable, too, as he cleared his throat and leaned against his desk. “I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to write a short statement about what happened with Kevin. Just so I have something on file in case it ever comes up in the future.”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.”
“Good. No rush, obviously. Just whenever you have time.”
A thick silence filled the room. “Is that it, then?” she asked.
“For now.”
Rebecca felt oddly disappointed as she stood and turned to go. She joined Allison for morning chores, although she couldn’t focus on the simple tasks to save her life. She knew that her friend was dying to ask about her and Alec, but she didn’t, and Rebecca was grateful. She didn’t even know how she would explain it at this point. Was something happening between them? Yes, that much was evident. But would anything actually happen between them? There was no way. They might as well have been from two different planets.
Halfway through the morning, while they were mucking stalls in the main barn, Allison cleared her throat. “So…Alec can throw a pretty decent punch.”
Rebecca was amazed she hadn’t brought it up sooner. “Yeah, he can. I definitely didn’t see that one coming.”
“What’d you guys talk about?”
She heaved a forkful of manure into the wheelbarrow and paused to wipe her brow. “He asked if I would write a statement about what happened last night.”
“Oh. That makes sense. Although there were plenty of witnesses if he ever needed someone to vouch for him.” Allison paused. “Do you still hate him?”
“Kevin?”
“No, dummy. Alec.”
“Oh.” She laughed in spite of herself. “No, I don’t hate him. Not anymore.”
The girls finished their shift and went down to the corral, where the guests had gathered for a roping demonstration. Rebecca took a seat at the end of the bleachers, watching the process in awe. Tommy simultaneously released the calf and the holding pen where Alec and Onyx stood waiting. The horse burst into a gallop, flying after the calf like he’d been shot from a cannon. Alec twirled the lasso above his head and released it, sending it flawlessly around the calf’s neck. Onyx slid to a stop and Alec jumped off, tossing the calf onto the ground and bounding its legs together.
The entire pro
cess took about ten seconds.
“Wow,” Rebecca said, joining the guests in a round of applause.
Next, Roger and Alec worked together in team roping. Tommy released the calf again, and Onyx and Apache went charging after it. Alec lassoed the calf’s head while Roger expertly caught the calf’s rear legs–in just under six seconds.
Everyone applauded again as Alec trotted over to the bleachers. “Tommy and Roger will be giving roping lessons at one for anyone who’s interested. There’s also a trail ride at four.”
As the guests dispersed, Allison rose to her feet. “I’m heading up to the lodge. I’m starving.”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Rebecca replied.
She turned her attention back to the corral, watching Roger and Alec converse by the gate. After Roger and Apache headed for the barn, Alec moved Onyx into the center of the arena and put the stallion through a couple of reining maneuvers. The black horse was gorgeous, his muscles rippling under his coat as he backed up, spun on his haunches, galloped off, and slid to a stop. Alec sat motionless on his back as Onyx bounded into a canter around the perimeter of the corral.
When he spotted Rebecca, he smiled and pulled his horse to a stop in front of her. “Finish early?”
She nodded and stepped over to the fence, stroking Onyx’s handsome head. “You guys looked great. I can’t believe Roger can move that fast.”
Alec laughed. “The man was born roping cattle. He’s been at it for a long time.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She touched Onyx’s nose again, admiring the horse’s faultless conformation. “He’s a beautiful animal.”
“He’s my pride and joy,” he agreed, leaning over to pat his neck. “Would you like to try him?”
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “You mean it?”
“I wouldn’t say so if I didn’t.”
Needing no further urging, Rebecca climbed the corral fence while Alec dismounted and adjusted the stirrups. “He’s not Pumpkin,” he reminded her as she mounted the horse. “Easy on the gas, easy on the brakes. He’ll respond to the slightest touch.”
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