Love in Hiding

by Diane Holiday

  Before Sarah could get away, Morgan sashayed into the barn leading Princess. Bruce led Batal back toward the arena.

  A Cheshire cat grin formed on Morgan’s face. “Something wrong?”

  “No.” Sarah moved to pass her.

  Morgan clicked her tongue. “Tsk, tsk. You’re not a very good liar. Bruce and I don’t keep secrets from each other; maybe you shouldn’t either.”

  The blood drained from Sarah’s limbs. Oh God. He’d told Morgan about the stalker.

  Sarah stumbled and fell over a bucket someone had left in the aisle, scraping her hands on the hard dirt.

  Morgan let out a throaty laugh. “Oops. What happened to those graceful moves of yours?”

  Sarah shoved off the ground and marched out of the barn toward the house. Betrayal burned in her breast with every step. Bruce had probably mentioned that she used to dance and lived in California. Morgan was mocking her about being a ballerina. It wouldn’t take much for her to figure out Sarah’s identity with that information. Since Morgan used to live there and worked in the entertainment business, she might still have contacts. She could leak something about Sarah’s whereabouts.

  She’d heard that men would tell a woman anything in bed, but she’d never believed it of Bruce. He’d made her a promise. That’s what she got for opening up to a man. Morgan hated her. She’d blab the secret to everyone and blow Sarah’s cover.

  Her head pounded in time with her swift feet.

  She had no choice but to leave.

  Chapter 18

  Bruce walked Batal around the field to let him cool down before he put him back in the stables. Batal needed more time than Princess to recover because Bruce had ridden him before Morgan showed up.

  Morgan had seemed okay right up until they’d dismounted, and then she got weepy over the anniversary of her husband’s death. Understandable. Those dates were tough.

  Bruce led Batal into the stables, groomed him, and put him back in his stall. No excuse to wait any longer. Time to talk to Sarah. He hadn’t dared look at her yesterday afternoon. Too many emotions were already stirred up inside of him from the cemetery visit and the talk with Joe.

  Today might be the start of a new chapter in his life. His heart flexed against the cables that had held it tight for four long years. He patted Batal on the nose, then headed to Sarah’s suite.

  The door stood open a crack. His radar went up. Sarah always kept it locked. He stepped inside. The place smelled like someone had set toast on fire. Maybe she’d left the door open to air it out. But the window over the couch was closed.

  He crossed to the kitchen and stopped short. Scorch marks stained the counter. Holy shit. They wouldn’t be easy to get up. He glanced at the soaking muffin pan in the sink. Mystery solved. He narrowed his eyes. Earlier, Joe had passed him on the way to the barn, stuffing a big, fat muffin in his mouth and carrying a box. When he got closer, the crusty coot had cast a smug crumb-filled grin Bruce’s way, clutching the carton possessively. Bruce could swear he’d tipped it on purpose to show off the mouthwatering muffins. Not a burned one among them.

  A breeze through the open door blew a scrap of paper to the floor. He picked it up and placed it back on the counter, glancing at the title. A help-wanted ad for a produce farm. His belly balked. Sarah had no reason to cut out listings if she planned to stay like she’d said.

  “Sarah?” He grabbed the ad and stepped closer to the bedroom. When she didn’t answer, he poked his head through the doorway. A lumpy duffel bag sat on the bed and empty dresser drawers hung out. His blood began a slow simmer.

  The door to the bathroom opened, and Sarah came out dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, carrying a full bag with a hairdryer sticking out of the top.

  She gasped. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “What’s this?” He held up the help-wanted ad.

  She glanced at the paper. “How did you get in here?”

  “You left the door open. Answer my question.”

  She bit her lip and said nothing.

  “I thought we agreed it was safer for you to stay here. Were you planning to leave?”

  “It’s too risky now.” She crossed to the bed and dropped the bag next to the packed duffel.

  “Why? Did the stalker threaten you again?” Bruce glanced at the curtained windows.

  “Not since the last time.” She tucked the hairdryer deeper into the bag.

  “Then why run?” He clenched his jaw. “And were you even going to tell me?”

  “I was going to leave a note.”

  “A note. Nice.” That’s all he meant to her. Scratch something on a sticky pad and leave it on the kitchen table like a damned grocery list. If he hadn’t stopped by, he might never have seen her again. An ache split his chest in half.

  He caught her arm. “You haven’t answered my question. Why is it too risky?”

  She faced him and raised her chin. “Because I don’t trust Morgan.”

  “What’s Morgan have to do with this?”

  “Look, it’s none of my business.” Sarah waved a hand in the air and huffed. “I didn’t realize you two were together, or I wouldn’t have told you anything. She could lead the stalker to me.”

  So Sarah had jumped to conclusions. Made assumptions and never bothered to ask him. “Hold on a second. You think I’m involved with Morgan?”

  “Well, that’s what I call it when you go on picnics together, and ride together, and…I saw you with her outside of the barn today.”

  “Let me get this straight.” His lungs burned. “You think I’m with Morgan, and therefore would obviously tell her everything you’ve shared with me.”

  “Well, I’ve heard that guys will talk in bed and…never mind.” She dropped her gaze to the ground and tightened her lips.

  Talk in bed? Christ, he hadn’t even had sex in four years. “After I promised not to say anything to anyone?”

  She cleared her throat. “I mean—”

  “You think if I’m sleeping with someone I would put your life in jeopardy, because that’s not as important as getting laid?” His head pounded. “That I, of all people, wouldn’t know how to keep a secret?”

  “I guess maybe I—”

  “Maybe you what? Maybe you were wrong?” He yanked his hand back from her arm. “How about hell yeah, on all counts.”

  Sarah blinked. Bruce’s eyes shot flames. Pure, unadulterated, hot-fire emotion. Wow. He did have feelings, and she’d tapped into them big-time. Now she’d done it and pissed him off. She licked her lips. “You mean you aren’t dating Morgan?”

  “Bull’s-eye.”

  She frowned. “Then what do you call it? Going on a picnic—”

  “Enough with the picnic. There was no picnic. God, you’re making me fucking crazy.” He stabbed a hand through his hair.

  She waited. Didn’t dare say anything else. He might explode.

  He blew out a breath and gazed at the ceiling as a muscle ticked in his jaw. At last, he looked down at her. “Morgan is nothing more than a friend. I ride with her because Princess is the only horse who can challenge Batal, and he loves to race.” Bruce held a hand up. “And I don’t know what you saw, but Morgan hugged me. Last I checked you didn’t need a condom for that.”

  So they weren’t together. Her heart landed a perfect grand jeté

  His pupils had shrunk to tiny pinpoints.

  “And that picnic? Do you know what happened?” He stepped closer, his voice controlled and calm.

  Too calm.

  “It’s okay—”

  “No, it’s not okay. None of this is okay. You leaving without telling me. You assuming I’m sleeping with Morgan. You deciding I can’t keep a promise. None of this is okay. So you’re going to hear me out.”

  A vein in his neck pulsated. If he expected her to say anything, he’d wait awhile. Better to let him get it off his chest. He had a point. She’d made a lot of assumptions and some of them not very flattering about him.

  “There was neve
r a picnic. We drove together to see a therapy horse, and Morgan packed some snacks, but I told her I needed to get back.” He brought his face nearer. “Do you know why?”

  Sarah swallowed and shook her head. He was close enough that his breath tickled her cheeks, and the masculine scent of his cologne made her want to bury her face in his shirt.

  “Because of you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes. You. I wanted to get back and talk to you about whatever you tried to say to me today before Morgan showed up.”

  Her blood ran fast laps through her veins. Heat came off him in waves, and all she could do was stare up at him, her legs pressed against the side of the bed.

  “I haven’t been able to think about much of anything since you set foot on this farm.” His gaze dropped to her lips. “Actually, that’s not true. There is one thing I can’t stop thinking about.”

  She let out a shallow breath. “What?”

  “Doing this.” He snaked an arm out, yanked her against him, and covered her mouth with his.

  Initial shock lasted a mere second before the kiss overtook her. He moved his lips against hers, and the pent-up fire in her body exploded. She threw her arms around him and dove into the kiss. A slight moan escaped when she opened her mouth to let his tongue inside. A primal groan came from him as he worked magic with his lips. God, the man could kiss. Her nipples hardened, and she dug her fingers into his muscular back.

  He took the kiss deeper, slanting his mouth over hers. The hard length of his arousal pressed against her, sending a thrill through her body. She clung tighter.

  The front door slammed and loud voices erupted upstairs.

  When Bruce ripped his mouth away, Sarah almost fell over. His chest heaved and his eyes blazed. She gazed up at him, still in his arms. The room blurred behind him, his face filling her view. Heat swelled in her breast, forcing its way up to her cheeks. The small of her back vibrated under his spanned hands.

  “You should have run it by me first.” Debbie’s gruff voice rang out from upstairs. “I’m busy enough as it is. I don’t need the extra work.”

  “You don’t have to do anything with it,” Joe said.

  The door slammed again, this time followed by scuffling, a howl from the cat, and a loud crash. A dog barked. Bruce cursed under his breath and let go of Sarah. A large, gangly, black dog with oversized ears bounded into the room. The mutt ran right to Sarah, tail wagging so hard it thumped the dresser beside her. She reached down, and the dog licked her fingers.

  “See? Not five seconds in the house and already it’s trouble,” Debbie shouted from upstairs.

  “Just needs some time to adjust,” Joe said. “Sarah, you down there?”

  Footsteps pounded on the stairs. She dropped to her knees and petted the mutt, happy for the distraction as she needed some time to regain her composure. “Yes. I think your dog sorta found me.”

  Joe appeared in the doorway. He glanced at Bruce and then at her. He coughed into his hand, unsuccessfully hiding a smile. “Sorry. He’s gonna need a little training.”

  “No, he’s not. He’s not staying,” Debbie said from the other room. “He went right after the cat.”

  “That’s how nature made ’em.” Joe shrugged and muttered, “Can’t blame a guy for wanting to get some puss—”

  “I’m serious, Joe.” Debbie entered the bedroom. “He can’t stay here. This is the most harebrained thing you’ve done in a long time.”

  The dog leaned closer to Sarah and nudged her with his nose.

  Debbie glanced down at them. Her mouth pursed, she glared at Joe, then waved a hand and stomped back toward the steps. “Goddamn it. You work it out.”

  Sarah gazed at Bruce, who had an unreadable expression on his face as he stared at the dog.

  “Where did he come from?” Sarah asked.

  Joe bent over to scratch the mutt under his chin. “I rescued him from the shelter. They were gonna put him down.”

  “Why?”

  “Cuz he isn’t a puppy, and the last owner claimed he tried to bite someone who was crawling through his window. Once they get listed as a biter, no one will take them.” Joe stood. “He was protecting the house. Stupid idiots.”

  “Since when do you go to the shelters looking for dogs?” Bruce cocked his head.

  “The same time I stopped reporting everything I do to you.”

  They locked gazes.

  Sarah broke the standoff. “Sounds like Debbie doesn’t want him here.”

  “He’ll grow on her,” Joe said.

  “Not if he has to go back.” Sarah stood, and the dog flopped down across her feet to rest his head on the floor.

  “He’s sure taken to you.” Joe rubbed his jaw.

  “Big surprise there,” Bruce said in a low voice.

  Joe stroked his chin. “You know, what if he stayed down here with you when he’s in the house at night?”

  She’d never had a pet. “I don’t really know how to take care of a dog.”

  “Eh. It’s easy. You feed him and let him out to pee. Plenty of room on the farm for him to run. He won’t even need walks.”

  And he’d be extra protection if the stalker came creeping around. Or Todd for that matter. Sarah glanced at Bruce. “What do you think?”

  He frowned but then nodded. “I think you’d be fine with him.”

  “If Debbie says it’s all right, we can try it out.” Sarah wiggled her feet under the dog and smiled when he wagged his tail.

  “Good. I have a sack of food and some bowls upstairs.”

  Huh. That sure was convenient. “Okay, thanks,” Sarah said. “Wait. What’s his name?”

  “Fluffy.”

  Bruce snorted.

  Sarah’s gaze dropped to the shorthaired dog.

  “Like I said. Idiot owners.” Joe pushed past Bruce.

  When he left, the pup rolled on his side and let out a long sigh.

  “Unbelievable.” Bruce blew out a breath. “I came here to ask you something.”

  “What?” Alone with him again, she got a case of the jitters.

  “Do you like to hike?”

  “Hike?”

  “Yes. You’ve never heard of it?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course, I mean, why?”

  “I was wondering if you might want to go with me Saturday.” He crossed his arms.

  “I don’t understand. Like on a date?”

  He grimaced. “It’s hiking. You know, more like a recon.”

  “A recon?” She squinted. That was something they did in the military to scope out an area.

  “Yeah, you know. Get the lay of the land. Figure things out.”

  “Figure what out? I really don’t understand what you’re talking about.” She shook her head.

  He uncrossed his arms and sighed. “Fine. A date.”

  Her heart jumped and then sank. “I’m not dating material. I’m in hiding and can’t promise any sort of future. Hell, half the time I can’t plan for tomorrow. You’d be better off dating someone who could—”

  “I’m aware of your situation.”

  She fiddled with the hem of her shirt. God knew she wanted to say yes, but it might not be fair to him, and she didn’t want to risk developing feelings for someone who she’d have to leave.

  “Don’t overthink it.” He bent down and brushed his lips against hers.

  When she leaned in, he put a hand behind her head and deepened the kiss. His warm mouth covered hers, and he tasted of spearmint. He pulled back and traced a finger over her lower lip. Her entire body shivered in response. He inched his thumb down her neck to the top of her collarbone.

  “So h-hike?” She couldn’t think with his hands on her.

  “Yes. I know a trail along the water.” He stroked the sensitive area right above the bone.

  “You don’t play fair,” she whispered.

  “Not when it comes to you.”

  He ran his hand along her nape. The dog wedged itself between them and nudged Sarah
. Bruce muttered something about Joe as she patted the dog’s snout.

  “I’ll pick you up around ten?”

  “Sure.”

  He smiled, gave her arm a squeeze, and sauntered out of the room.

  Holy shit. That man could kiss.

  And he’d smiled at her.

  She ran a finger over her lips. Bruce had kissed her twice. Could have been three times if not for interference from the mutt. “We’re going to have to set up some rules, Fluffy.”

  The dog raised its head.

  “That’s right. I’m talking to you.” Sarah smiled to herself. Alone with Bruce in the woods. Now that she’d had a taste, she wanted him even more.

  Hard to say what could happen without the dog interfering.

  Chapter 19

  Sarah checked her watch. Three o’clock. Time to head up to the house and start dinner. The week had dragged, but tomorrow was Saturday, and her hike with Bruce. Her heart skipped. Working around him had been hard enough before he’d kissed her. Now every time he came close, her body tingled. And she’d swear he found more ways to be near her than ever before. She shook her head. Better focus on cleaning up and making a meal.

  She headed to the far corner of the tack room and bent over to pick up tools. Soft footsteps sounded behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck raised.

  “Don’t stand on my account. I like the view,” Todd said.

  Her stomach catapulted. She swung around and glanced behind him at the empty barn. His car hadn’t been in the lot or she would have kept a better eye out. He must have just shown up.

  “I have work to do.” She tried to move past him, but he reached and leaned his palm against the wall, blocking her path. Damn it. He might be bigger, but she had moves and speed.

  “I’ve been waiting for the chance to have a word with you, alone.” He inched closer.

  She glanced around for anything she could use as a weapon, but nothing was in reach. “We really have nothing to discuss. Now if you don’t mind—”

  “You can stop with the haughty act. You’re a stable hand not a princess.” His mouth twisted. “A little respect out of you might be a nice change. I pay good money to board here.”