Rekindled: A Billionaire Second Chance Romance

by Ashlee Price

  “You’ve never worked with horses before?”

  “Trent, be nice. Foster is new to all of this. She comes from the east and this is her first day with me so don’t you dare scare her off.” Karen cautioned the man, knowing he liked to jest. Foster was more serious than she was and Karen didn’t want to lose her helper. Not many people could keep up with her and Karen liked the girl and she wanted her to stay around awhile.

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  Karen gave him a look and he gave her one of innocence back, but they both knew that he wasn’t very innocent. “Well if you are going to live in Cross Junction, you will get used to them. I think there are more horses than there are cars in this town. Where do you come from?”

  “Chicago.”

  His face screwed up and she was the one that almost laughed. He was so serious-looking one minute and then animated the next. “I never could do the city. Too many people and not enough fresh air and trees. What brought you out here to the middle of nowhere if not horses?”

  It was an innocent question, but it was one that she was not prepared to answer. Foster blinked back a tear from her eye and looked down. “I came here with a friend and decided to stay.”

  Trent looked at her strangely for a moment. He knew the look in her eye, having felt it before and he didn’t push. Karen watched the two interact with each other and she started to wonder if the new assistant was what the tall, brooding man needed. He was the sweetest man, had a heart of gold, but it was one that had been broken too many times. It left Trent distant and ever since Karen had known him, she had wanted nothing more than to see him happy and settled.

  “I need to go get a few things from the truck. Foster, why don’t you help Trent get them out of the barn and into the corral so we can look at them properly?”

  Foster nodded and did as the woman asked. She avoided eye contact with Trent, still trying to get the thoughts of why she was there out of her mind. Why was she still there? Was she holding onto that place because it was her only connection to her dead mother and was she just fooling herself that it was where she wanted to be?

  “Sorry if my question bothered you before Foster. It wasn’t my intention.”

  “No, no. It’s okay. I have just had a long day I guess.”

  “It will get better.”

  “That’s what Karen says, but my arms seem to differ.”

  “Well that will sort its self out, the rest just takes time.”

  She didn’t answer him or comment back, but it was as if he almost knew what she was going through. When she finally met his dark blue eyes, she had the distinct feeling that he knew too well. That was the look she had not recognized before, loss. Foster was sure that it was just as clear on her face as it was on his. “I sure hope so.”

  Karen came back in through the barn and even though the two young people were quiet, Karen had a good feeling about things. She showed Foster how to check the horses and what they were looking for. One of the horses what looked to be a sprain, the other one was ready for training. While Trent would usually go off to take care of his work, he stayed around and watched the new assistant. He even invited them to stay for dinner, but Karen was in a rush to get home. Foster would have stayed, but she thought it best to go with Karen. “Thanks for all of your help Foster. I hope to see you again real soon.”

  ***

  “Well that went well. Don’t you think? Seemed like a good end of the day.”

  Foster stared out at the darkening sky. It looked like there was a storm blowing in and she wasn’t sure if she was happy to see it or not. The blackness matched her mood though after Trent had reminded her of her mom by asking the very same question that she had been asking herself. Why was she there?”

  “Are you okay Foster?”

  “Yes. Sorry, I was just looking at the clouds. They are moving fast and it looks like it is going to be quite a storm.”

  “Have you seen one here yet?”

  Foster nodded. “I stayed her with my mom for a few months and we saw some really bad storms. I guess they are just different then what I am used to back east. Here the skies are bigger and it seems like the storms are just as big.”

  “I have lived here my whole life and have always loved a good thunderstorm. You be careful driving home in this.”

  “Thank you for being so patient with me today. I will pick up on it.”

  “I am sure you will. You have done great so far. I will see you in the morning Foster.”

  She waved to her before she got out, the first rain drops hitting her shoulders as she got into her own car. Foster made it home just in time before the big downpour. It felt like the perfect end to such a day. Her mood was just as dark as the sky above her. Foster couldn’t get the question out of her mind. She needed to do some soul-searching and find out what the answer was.

  Chapter 4

  Trent called Karen up. He didn’t have any new horses to look over, but he had one that was not acting right and he thought that something might be going on with it. She agreed to come down the next day and he tried to ask casually about Foster. “So did your assistant run out on you yet?”

  Karen laughed a little. “No, this one is a glutton for punishment. I figured that since she has made it two weeks without quitting on me, I am not going to lose her. She is stronger than she looks Trent.”

  “I think you are right Karen.”

  “So was that all you were going to ask?”

  The old woman knew that he fancied her. He wasn’t the type to gush about it, but just by the fact that he had asked about her at all was proof that he liked her. “Yes. Well I don’t know Karen. Is she single?”

  Karen smiled to herself and sat back in her office chair. “She is.”

  Trent sighed on the other end. She was having too much fun with him. “So what time do you think you can make it tomorrow?”

  “Probably in the evening. I am booked up for the day, but I think I can squeeze you in. Can I expect to see you there?”

  “Yes, I will be here.”

  “I bet you will Trent. I am going to go now. I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Karen?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is she way out of my league?”

  “Probably, but I doubt that will stop you. Just be slow with her Trent. She has some healing to do.”

  He nodded to himself. He had known that there was something in her that was broken and usually he ran the other way when he saw that trait in another, but with Foster it was different. With her, he wanted to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay. With her he wanted to fix it. Trent hadn’t felt that way in a long time and it made him nervous to feel something after so long. The feeling was almost foreign to him now.

  Trent hung up, thinking about the redhead that had caught his eye. He hadn’t heard much about her, only that she had worked at the diner before quitting to get the job with Karen. A few had seen her in town with an older woman, but no one knew that much about her. None of the ranchers locally knew her or anything else about her and Trent found that strange in a small town like Cross Junction. Everyone knew everyone there, but Foster had managed to keep her secrets to herself and Trent wanted to know what they were.

  He found himself at the diner with a neighbor when he heard someone talking about Foster. They were talking about the new redhead in town and he knew that a woman like her was going to stir up interest as it had in him. His neighbor Duncan asked him why he was so interested in the other conversation. Trent didn’t know what to say, except that a woman like her was hard not to be interested in. “Have you met her Duncan?”

  “Yes, she came over with Karen, but I had too much stuff going on to say much to them. You know how things are and Karen likes to take her time too much. She was talking that girl through it and I just couldn’t wait around for it.”

  Trent nodded. Duncan was never known for his patience. “Well if you didn’t have the wife at home, I am sure you would have noticed more.”r />
  Duncan chuckled a little, surprised that his friend was interested in her. Trent wasn’t usually interested in anyone, but it seemed that the girl had reached him where many others couldn’t. “So you like her eh?”

  He nodded. “I don’t even know her, but there is something about that woman.”

  “If I hear it right, I think it is the set on her. I don’t notice much, but even I noticed the nice little body that she had.”

  Trent felt a moment of anger and looked away. He had no right to feel jealous, but he didn’t like the idea of anyone else looking at her. There were too many single men in town for her to stay single for long. He suddenly felt like he was in a competition and he knew that he wanted to win. Win over her body and her heart.

  “I think she is a bit young for you Trent.”

  “She is in her twenties. I am not that far out of mine.”

  Duncan nodded, “Several years out, but who is counting?”

  The two men sat and listened to a couple other ranchers talking about her and Trent’s jaw got tighter with each crude word. She deserved more than their leering. Trent ended up leaving early before he did something he would regret. It was silly, he told himself. He didn’t even know her or how long she was staying, but he wanted her to be his.

  He rode home in silence and when he got into his empty house, it was the first time that he wished there was someone there to greet him. His mind conjured up the curvy redhead that was coming by the next day. He had plans to ask her out, but for the first time in a long time he was unsure of himself. As with most women, he didn’t worry too much about one in particular. He didn’t have but one night stands when he drove into the city. But with Foster, she was somehow different. He wanted to know what made her eyes so sad and more importantly, he wanted to change them.

  Trent didn’t sleep too well that night, too worried about what the next day would bring. When morning came, he thought of the tall redhead and wondered if she would even be receptive to going out. She had had many offers from what the men in the diner said. Some were even convinced that she must be a lesbian since she had turned several of them down. Trent knew that wasn’t true, but why would she saw yes to him when she had turned down so many others?

  His confidence was gone and his nerves were rattled when he saw Karen’s truck pull up. His heart pounded in his chest, his body knowing something that his mind had not came to terms with. Trent waved at them as they walked up and his eyes went to Foster.

  “Afternoon, ladies. Thanks for fitting me in today Karen. I know you are busy.”

  She waved him off. “Just point me in the right direction and we will have her taken care of in no time.”

  Karen was all business, but Trent wanted to chat more than anything. He knew that the horse was sick and a couple of shots would have her better in no time, but it was the only way to get Foster out there, so he was willing to pay for the vet visit.

  “So how are you liking the job now Foster? Is it getting easier?”

  She looked up at him as he stood close. “I like it well enough. I am certainly learning a lot. If I stay with Karen too long, I may never want to leave this place.”

  “That sounds good.”

  Foster was not expecting that answer or the way he looked at her. He was wearing a disarming smile and she tried not to focus on it too much. She looked down as she held the horse steady so that Karen could look at her properly. “I guess if I am going to have to stay here, I should learn to ride a horse too. Could you recommend a place around here that teaches lessons?”

  Trent could have named off three ranches that specialized in it and did well, but he didn’t want to. He liked the idea of spending time with her and teaching her to ride would be far less expensive than calling out Karen every time he wanted to see her. “I could always teach you and I wouldn’t charge you for it.”

  “Really? Well thank you for the offer, but I couldn’t possibly ask that of you. I could pay you for lessons.”

  “No, free of charge. Just getting someone else to love them would be enough for me.”

  She thanked him and he asked when she would want to take a ride.”

  The horse suddenly neighed and moved towards Foster. She held her ground, but Karen scolded them for flirting and not paying attention. Foster felt her face getting red and went back to the task at hand with more diligence. “Sorry Karen. This customer is a little more distracting than the other ones.”

  Trent chuckled but backed off. “I get the hint Karen. I will be up at the house when you are done. I will make a pitcher of tea.”

  Chapter 5

  “Why don’t you go ahead in Foster? I am almost done with things out here.”

  “Well I will help you put the horse up at least.”

  “Are you afraid of him?”

  She made an undignified sound. “Of course not. Why would you ask such a thing?”

  Karen smiled at her. “Why won’t you go in without me?”

  Foster knew she had to. The older woman had basically challenged her and there was no way that she could not go in now. “I was just trying to help Karen. That’s all.”

  “You have done enough today. Go sit down and rest. I will be in the house in a minute.”

  There was nothing she could say, so Foster moved back towards the house that stood by the road. There was light glowing from the inside that was inviting. She didn’t know what to expect, not much more than a few pieces of furniture. He was so quiet that she couldn’t see him decorating any louder than he was. What she wasn’t expecting was the bright colors on the walls in the form of art work, mixed in with cow skulls that seemed to be a popular décor in the area. It didn’t fit, but the man was a walking contradiction anyways so it somehow did.

  She walked through the house to where she heard his voice. He had called her in when she had knocked, but she felt out of sorts with all of the dashes of color against the white-washed walls. There wasn’t a reason that her nerves were bad, but she was trembling inside. “Trent?”

  “In here Foster. Just come on in. I was about to start dinner if you would like to stay for a while.”

  “Thanks, but Karen is almost ready and we will be going.”

  “I can always take you home.”

  “Well aren’t you so helpful.”

  “Not really, it is selfish reasons that I ask you to stay.”

  “And what reason is that?”

  “I hate to eat alone and it has been a while since I have had any real company. Besides, you are new to the town and everyone is gossiping about you, so I would love to know the truth.”

  Foster sighed and sat down. “I never got the whole small town gossip thing until I moved her. It seems like everyone knows a little bit about everyone else.”

  “Except you.” Trent handed her a glass with some tea in it and she thanked him. He didn’t have his hat on that time and she could see his face more clearly. It was more disturbing when she could see more of him. His eyes missed nothing and with them directed at her, she blanched at the intensity.

  “There isn’t much to know.”

  “I find that hard to imagine Foster. A woman like you has many secrets to tell.”

  He was leaning in and she did to out of habit. The action surprised her and she moved back away from him. “Yes, well what are your secrets?”

  “Better left unsaid.”

  “You want to be a mystery then?”

  “Makes it more interesting, don’t you think?”

  She agreed. “Well then I guess we are at an impasse, too worried about keeping are secrets close to our chest.”

  His eyes strayed to her front, unable to stop himself. “Well if you share one, I will share one with you.”

  She was breathing hard from his proximity. He leaned back towards his seat and she sighed a little. “I am sure that my secrets aren’t even worth knowing.”

  “Try me.”

  There were many, she had so many of them and not very many did she want to say out
loud. Especially not to a man like Trent that already seen far more in her than anyone else did.

  “Why don’t you tell me why you are here?”

  The moment was gone, her mind back on the very question he had asked her before. The one she still wasn’t sure how to answer. “I came here with someone who was dying. We were traveling and this is where we had to stop. When they died, I just stayed here. Kind of lame, huh?”

  He shook his head and asked her who it was. There was a similar reaction from before. She didn’t want to talk about it.

  “No, I have told you one of my secrets. Now tell me one of yours.”

  Trent was quiet for a minute and was about to say something when Karen came in. He went back to the stove and then the fridge to pour her a glass. “So how is she looking Karen?”

  “She’s fine. Just needs a little antibiotic to help her fight off whatever she has. She should be good as new in a week. Give her a couple of days until you start working with her again, but she will be ready soon.”

  Karen took the glass and then took a drink. Her brown hair was sticking out everywhere from her bun. It had been a long day for the woman and even though she was used to the work, there was something to be said about her age. She was getting old and hoped that she would be able to retire one day. “Why don’t you sit down, have something to eat?”

  “No, I need to get back. Lawrence hasn’t been feeling very well lately. But you should stay Foster. He is a really good cook.”

  Foster could feel her being pushed towards him and she wondered why. There was something to be said about the way he made her feel, but she wondered why Karen was pushing her towards him. Was it that clear to her boss that she was desperately alone and in need of something?

  “Yes Karen is right. I will take you back later.”

  There seemed to be a consensus that she was not privy to. “Okay, well then it sounds like I don’t have much of a choice. I will see you in the morning Karen.”

  She watched the woman leave and looked back over at Trent. “So why is she pushing up together?”

  He grinned for a minute. “Because Karen is a hopeless romantic and she must think that we have something in common.”