Guardian 0f Her Heart (Whispers In Wyoming Book 6)

by Rachel Skatvold

  “I’m glad for you, man,” Trevor said, managing a smile. Then he tried to change the subject by nodding toward the horse in the corral. “So, can I take him with me today?”

  Chase nodded with a grin. “Sounds good. Thanks Trevor. I really do appreciate you taking him on.”

  Trevor shook his hand. “Of course. I’m always up for a challenge.”

  Charlotte had a simple snack of apple slices and cheese waiting for Emma when she came home from school. The little girl thanked her, took a couple of bites and then rushed out the back door toward the stables for her riding lessons. She sighed, watching her niece dash across the pasture and climb over the gate. Never had she seen such discipline or dedication for a hobby.

  Emma had yet to invite Charlotte to watch her lessons and so far she had decided to be patient, but today her curiosity got the best of her. When her niece was out of sight, she threw on a coat and headed out after her. Charlotte avoided cutting across the pasture and took the long way along the gravel road leading to the stables. After reaching them, she stayed in the shadows near the outer door with a clear view of the corral and watched Emma as she let her horse trot around in a circle.

  Laina called out encouragement as Emma warmed up for her lesson. “Okay Emma, now slowly lift up and put your feet in the stirrups.”

  Charlotte held her breath as Emma wobbled a little while maneuvering into the right position. Then she started to stand up on the horse. Did Laina know what she was doing? Emma was much too young to be doing stunts like this, wasn’t she? As she watched, Emma began to slip and sat back in the saddle, looking frustrated.

  Charlotte gritted her teeth and started to move forward, intent on putting a stop to the lesson, but a strong hand gripped her shoulder. “Wait,” a deep voice said.

  She gasped and turned toward the voice, both surprised and relieved to see it was only Trevor. “Where did you come from? Did you follow me?”

  “I just came back with a new horse,” he whispered. “After I got him settled into a stall, I saw you here and I thought it would be a good time to discuss a few things…business things that is.”

  “Of course we can. But first, have you seen what Laina is having Emma do?” She swept her hand back toward the corral with wide eyes. “Those stunts are way too dangerous for an eight-year-old child.”

  Trevor crossed his arms over his chest. “I understand your concern, but Emma has been riding since she was three years old and doing stunts under Laina’s instruction since she was five. Believe me, she wouldn’t ask Emma to try any stunt she wasn’t ready for.” He paused and motioned toward the corral with his chin. “Just look at her now. She’s gotten the hang of it.”

  Charlotte turned and watched Emma in amazement. She was now standing on the horse with her arms outstretched to the side, with a look of joy on her face that warmed her heart. “She’s amazing!”

  “Yes, she is.” They stood together and watched her trick ride for a few minutes before Trevor broke the silence. “When you’re ready, I’d like to show you something in the stables.”

  ‘Sure,” Charlotte agreed with a nod. “I’m ready now.”

  A minute later they were walking down a long line of horse stalls. Charlotte attempted to act casual but something about being with Trevor always made her heart race. “So, I haven’t seen you around much this week,” she commented to break the ice.

  He stopped in front of a stall with a speckled gray horse inside and began stroking his regal head. “Yeah, I’ve been kinda busy lately with my side job.”

  Charlotte furrowed her brow. “Side job?”

  “Yeah, a hobby really. I rescue and help horses with behavioral problems. I was at The Broken J this afternoon, looking at this feisty young fella. I decided to take him on, so I’m going to be busy working with him over the next couple of weeks. Once I gain his trust, then I can help him learn how to trust people again. His name’s Hercules.”

  Charlotte nodded and reached her hand forward, but the horse spooked and snorted, flaring its nostrils. Trevor moved closer and whispered calming words in a language she didn’t understand. He calmed down right away. Then Trevor looked up at her and managed a half grin. “Sorry, I didn’t think he’d act like that.”

  “Oh, it’s all right.” She backed away, intimidated by the horse. Then she stopped across the way by Ginger’s stall and patted the gentle mare’s thick mane while lifting her eyebrow in curiosity. “Ah…so are you one of those…horse whisperer people?”

  Trevor chuckled while walking toward her and putting his hands in his coat pockets. “Some people call me that, but I’m just an ordinary person. You might say, I’ve always had a special connection with horses. Sometimes they listen a lot better than people do.”

  Charlotte grinned. “Well you might be right about that. Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?”

  Trevor scratched his chin as they continued on. “I’d like to talk about making the ranch more appealing to boarders.”

  “Boarders? I didn’t realize we let people board their horses here.”

  “Yes. The stalls we just passed on the east side are owned by Morgan stables, but the seven occupied stalls on the west side are owned by riders who come to train here. They pay extra to board their horses here.”

  “Only seven?” She paused to count the remaining stalls. “Out of fifteen?”

  Trevor nodded. “So you see the problem then. We have some competition in the next big town. It’s over forty minutes away but people go there because it’s a larger operation.”

  “I see,” Charlotte said while looking around at the empty stables, deep in thought. “What if we offered an incentive for clients to board their horses here? For example, have a discount on lessons if they decide to do so.”

  Trevor shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that. It seems like we’d be giving money away when we want to bring more in.”

  Charlotte nodded. “I know it sounds backwards, but sometimes you have to give some things away in order for it to increase later. Believe me…it will increase revenue in the long run. I didn’t major in business and accounting for nothing.”

  Trevor laughed. “I guess you may have a point.”

  A wide grin spread across her face. “Thank you for humoring the math nerd. I’ll tell you what. I’ll write down some of my ideas and a financial plan for them. Then in a few days we can look over them together.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I think we’re going to work well together.”

  She smiled but then looked away. Something about the way he looked at her made her giddy and nervous at the same time. She needed some time away from him to regroup. Still, when Trevor asked to walk with her to the house, for some strange reason, she agreed.

  “So, you were Tom’s…relative?” she asked as they navigated the gravel road back to the house.

  “Yeah, we were distant cousins. I’m not quite sure how far down the line though.”

  “So where is your part of the family from?”

  “Well, that’s kind of complicated,” Trevor said, concentrating on the bend in the road ahead. “My dad lived up around Lander, Wyoming…pretty close to the reservation. Anyway, he met my mother there and they fell in love. Her family descended from the Shoshone tribe. My mom…she died in childbirth and my father was pretty torn up about it.”

  Charlotte frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Trevor nodded. “It’s just one of those things I guess. Anyway, my father didn’t feel fit to raise me, so he put me in the care of my maternal grandmother on the reservation.”

  “So how did you come to live here at the Morgan Estate?”

  Trevor stopped at the gazebo and motioned toward the steps. “Want to sit in here for a few minutes while we talk?” Charlotte nodded and they sat on one of the bench seats as he continued with his story. “My grandma passed on when I was ten so family services went looking for any relatives who could care for me. In the end, Tom Morgan, Senior, my distant cousin on my f
ather’s side took me in.”

  “So that’s why you were so close to Tom, Jr.”

  Trevor shrugged sadly and looked down. “Yeah, he was like a brother to me. But they’re both gone now. It seems I’m destined to watch everyone I care about die before me.”

  Charlotte gulped, not knowing what to say. Hearing about the great amount of tragedy that he had endured during his life made her problems seem so small. She could tell his pain ran much deeper than just the loss of his cousin. She wanted to ask him about it, but instead she gently placed her hand over his. “When I found out about Bridget’s death, I kept remembering what the Bible says about God being near to the brokenhearted. It brings me comfort whenever I think of losing my sister.”

  He looked up at her with misty eyes and managed a brave smile. “I guess we both understand each other when it comes to grief. I’m sorry if I made you feel sad. I didn’t intend to share all that with you…but…” His voice faded into the cold winter breeze.

  She squeezed his hand a little tighter. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad you shared your story with me.”

  Trevor’s endless brown eyes met hers as he brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. Then Charlotte knew she was in deep trouble. Why did he have to be so handsome and likeable? She struggled to hold up the walls build around her heart as he leaned in closer to her. Somehow, deep down she knew Trevor was different from any man she’d ever met. Anytime she got close to someone they always became obsessed with her money and after getting her heart broken so many times, Charlotte started to accept the fact that she would always be single. Trevor seemed not to care at all about her wealth, but could she trust him with her fragile heart?

  “Aunt Charly…” Emma’s voice called. “Aunt Charlotte…are you here?” She heard the back door to the house open and shut. Emma must have finished her lessons for the day and now she was looking for her.

  Trevor leaned back and blinked twice, like he couldn’t believe what had almost happened between them. “You better answer her, or she’ll be worried,” he said just above a whisper. “We’ll talk later.”

  “Okay,” Charlotte agreed with a robotic nod and left the gazebo with a pounding heart. She still wasn’t sure exactly what had happened between Trevor and her, but the one thing she did know both surprised and terrified her at the same time. No matter how short the electric moment between them had lasted, she had enjoyed every second of it.

  Chapter Eight

  Trevor remained quiet during dinner at the main house as Emma went on and on about her first day back to school. Her friends missed her and she showed everyone the stack of welcome back cards she received from them. He was glad his honorary niece had such a good day. Still, in the back of his mind he remembered that in less than a month, she’d be leaving for London with Charlotte. Did the young girl even know her aunt’s plans yet? He made eye contact with Charlotte for just a moment, but then she looked away, blushing.

  “What’s with you two?” Laina asked with an amused grin. “You’ve hardly said a word all night.”

  “Nothing,” Charlotte said while poking at her salad with a fork. “I’m just a little tired. It’s been a long day.”

  When Laina’s curious gaze fell on him, Trevor avoided her eyes. “Just a lot on my mind. That’s all.”

  Laina dropped the subject for the moment, but Trevor could tell from her expression she’d give him an earful later. She couldn’t stand secrets.

  Shortly after dinner, Emma announced she needed some help with her math homework and Laina volunteered to help. She gave him a playful wink as she left the room which didn’t escape Charlotte’s notice.

  She rolled her eyes and gave him a shy smile. “Want to sit out on the porch and talk?”

  Trevor agreed and a minute later they were settled on the porch swing. “So, Emma seemed excited to be back to school.”

  Charlotte nodded but avoided his gaze. Instead she kept busy by fidgeting with her scarf. “Yes, it surprised me this morning that she wanted to go. To be honest, I hadn’t thought of her starting school again until…”

  Her sentence faded away but he knew what she had been meaning to say. “That’s right,” he said. “You’re still planning on taking Emma back to London with you.”

  “Yes, I am. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I think she’ll like London once she gets used to it.”

  “I hope so,” Trevor said, trying to sound positive, but the thought of Emma moving out of the country pricked his heart. She was the only family he had left. Curiosity filled him as he studied Charlotte’s face. Her brow was creased in such a way that made him wonder if she was second guessing her decision to take Emma away from Wyoming. “So what do you do for a living, Charlotte?”

  She stared straight ahead, allowing his question to marinate for a few seconds before finally answering. “I work on the financial side of my family’s business. You know, crunching numbers, accounting and talking to investors…that kind of thing. Anyway, most of my work is from home, but there is some travel involved. That’s why I’ll arrange for a nanny to watch Emma when I’m gone.”

  “And you prefer to stay out of the spotlight?”

  She nodded. “Yes, the low key career keeps me hidden in plain sight and that’s what I prefer…a normal life. I even opted out of getting my own private jet like my cousin, Addie. Just draws too much attention. By just flying first class, most people don’t even know they’re sitting close to someone with a famous family.”

  Trevor scratched his chin, remembering something Bridget told him in the past. “Your family’s company is Lewis Films, out of LA., right?”

  Charlotte’s cheeks flushed as she nodded, making her even more beautiful in the dim porch light. “Yes, I know it’s not a very compelling reason for staying in England since I work for a company based in the United States, but my mother lives there and her M.S. has been getting worse, so someday I’ll have to move closer and take care of her. I took over the non-profit that she created that helps people find jobs there…and I like the atmosphere of London. I can’t really explain why, but it just feels like…home. Know what I mean?”

  “Yes, I do,” he responded just above a whisper and swept away a brunette strand of hair that had blown over her lovely face. Trevor gulped as her sapphire eyes met his. She was an incredible woman—smart, independent, generous and loyal to her family. All of a sudden he felt guilty for labeling her a snob when they first met. He certainly knew better now.

  She looked away, blushing again. “Well, anyway, I hope Emma will understand and accept my decision.”

  “Me too.” He cleared his throat, trying to ignore the attraction between them. “By the way, I’m sorry about what happened earlier tonight. I just got caught up in the moment. It didn’t mean anything.”

  “Of course,” Charlotte said with a nervous chuckle. “I understand.” She looked away and bit her lower lip.

  Trevor nodded. “Good…I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

  Charlotte peeked back up at him, making his heart pound. Why did she have to look so beautiful tonight with the evening stars twinkling in her deep blue eyes? He ignored the fuzzy feeling in his brain and focused on the subject at hand. “Me too. I mean we’re business partners now and we have Emma to think about. Allowing something to happen between us would be…”

  “Unprofessional,” she finished.

  “Exactly. I couldn’t have said it better myself,” he said slowly, trying to calm his pounding heart.

  She nodded in agreement but her eyes told a different story as she moved her face closer to his. The subtle aroma of her perfume drew him in as she planted an impulsive kiss on his lips.

  They both pulled back for a moment to look at each other, surprised by the spark between them. Then, before Trevor knew what was happening, they were locked in each other’s embrace, sharing a deeper and more passionate kiss. His fingers caressed her cheek and then moved to the back of her head, weaving through the soft tresses of her hair as he g
ently pulled her closer. The cold February evening suddenly felt warmer with Charlotte in his arms. The moment was perfect, making him second guess all his past reservations about his developing feelings for her. Could he find love and happiness with someone else? The notion had seemed unfathomable to him…until now.

  Then all at once, Charlotte pulled back and stared at him with wide eyes, as if waking up from a trance. Her hand flew over her mouth as she stammered, “I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  “Charlotte,” he whispered, taking her hand in his. “You have nothing to be sorry about. That was…”

  “Unexpected…” she finished.

  “Yes…very unexpected.” He let out a nervous chuckle and then frowned as his doubt settled in once again. “And…complicated.”

  She nodded slowly and squeezed his hand. “It’s complicated for me too.”

  They studied each other for a few long moments, not speaking. It seemed all of a sudden that a wall had been placed between them. The moment they shared between each other gave a brief preview of the happy future they could have, but getting through the walls they’d both built would be the challenge of a lifetime.

  “Goodnight, Trevor,” she finally said while loosening her fingers away from his grip. Then, without another word, she stood up from the porch swing and walked into the house, leaving Trevor alone in the darkness.

  Charlotte woke up the next morning with the beautiful Wyoming sunrise shining through her window. For a moment she smiled, remembering the kiss she shared with Trevor the night before. Then her smile faded, remembering how they both reacted to the kiss. In truth she had enjoyed it and didn’t want it to end. He was a good man—gentle, kind and intelligent. He even had a good sense of humor. Charlotte imagined she would never grow tired of spending time with him, but men had fooled her before and broken her heart so many times she’d lost count. In time, when the newness wore off, she worried Trevor would end up breaking her heart as well. Still, the kiss changed something within her that she couldn’t explain. It had managed to make her second guess all her plans—namely her plan to return to London. What was this guy doing to her?