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She obviously needed someone to keep an eye on her.
Or maybe I was just the twisted fuck who wanted an excuse to get in her space.
I stepped outside and strode down the path that followed the edge of the lawn and led to the stables.
By the time I made it to the barn, Paisley was leading Mazzy through the double doors and into her large stall on the left and two down from the front. Evelyn trotted along beside her, shifting her attention up to the woman.
“Do you think it might be okay if I got to brush her?” she asked in her little drawl, her t’s slipping into f’s.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Paisley said in that throaty, sultry voice.
So yeah, I was eavesdropping, unable to show myself, that protectiveness I felt for Evelyn rising up and forcing me to listen to their interaction.
Paisley led the horse into its stall.
The entire time, Evelyn never left her side, attached to her hip.
I paused just inside the threshold and off to the side, remaining in the distance and out of sight as I listened.
“You hold the brush like this and run it over her in this direction. Nice and slow. Soothing. Just like you’re petting her, but you’re doing it with a brush.”
Their voices went silent for a moment, then Paisley was murmuring, “There you go. Just like that. You’re doing a great job.”
Evelyn giggled, so quiet and unsure, but still with a joy I prayed one day she would fully possess. “I am doing it, Ms. Dae. I think she likes it.”
“You are doing it. You’re amazing with her…aww…look, Mazzy loves you. She’s giving you kisses.”
Evelyn giggled again, though this time loud and giddily, and I could only picture the horse pushing its giant snout to her cheek.
Was that even safe?
I burned with the need to intervene, only I stalled out when Evelyn’s little voice barely touched my ears. “I love her, too.”
I forced myself to stay rooted.
Finally, they stepped out, and Paisley latched the gate behind them. My eyes narrowed as I watched the way she ran her fingers through Evelyn’s hair. “I’ll see you on Monday, okay?”
“I think that’s okay because it’s not even very long? Two days I don’t get to see you?”
She held up two fingers, her little face squished in question, a face that sent a shock of pain lancinating through me so savagely I had to bite back the agony that wanted to rip free of my chest.
“That’s right. Only two days.” A soft smile edged Paisley’s mouth, and she gestured toward the door. “Run on back to Ms. Sandberg. She will be waiting for you.”
“Do I have to?”
Paisley laughed. “I think you do, but believe me, I feel your pain.”
Annoyance spun. I wasn’t sure if it was because she was disparaging my employee or because I had a hunch that she was right.
Evelyn scrunched up her nose, clearly not understanding what she was implying. “Okay. I will see you in two days. Don’t even be late because I’m going to miss you and I’ll be waiting the longest, okay?”
An amused laugh fell from Paisley, and she stuck out her hand to shake Evelyn’s. “It’s a deal.”
Evelyn giggled again, swaying in this sweetness that emanated from her spirit, then she turned and ran out, her brown hair flying behind her. She didn’t notice me as she went.
I stepped out to speak with Paisley, only I froze, watching when instead of heading out of the stables, she turned left and walked toward one of the hands who was halfway down the aisle of stalls.
That cocky prick Nate.
I only knew his name because I personally reviewed each employee to give them clearance.
She sidled right up to him, facing away, talking while he grinned and chuckled and tipped his fucking hat like a douche at something she said.
Irritation crawled up my throat. What the hell did she think she was doing?
She patted his shoulder before she spun on her boot and came strutting in my direction. She only slowed for half a beat when she saw me standing there, surprise flashing across her face before she reeled it in and pasted on an infuriatingly big smile. “Mr. Greyson, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
There was no missing the snark laced in her tone.
“It’s Friday. I had come to compensate you before I found you flirting with one of my ranch hands.”
Why I couldn’t keep the spite out, I had no fucking clue. But there was something about her that made me cagey.
Surprise twisted through her expression before she let go of a low, disbelieving laugh. “Who I flirt with is none of your business.”
She wound around me, fully dismissing me.
Like a fool, I followed. Clearly, I was losing my goddamn mind. I was right on her heel, chasing her out the double doors, hissing, “It is if you’re distracting my employees while they are on the clock.”
