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Last thing I could do was paint that disappointment on Evelyn’s face. So I’d asked the woman to stay, even though it went against every fiber in my being to put my trust in Paisley Dae.
Trust her.
I didn’t.
Not in the least.
But there I was, backed into a corner.
Trying to figure this bullshit out and knowing I wasn’t equipped to do it.
I moved around the edge of the barn and searched for Evelyn. She sat beneath a tree on the rambling lawn that took up at least three acres in front of the house.
The child was patiently waiting for the answer to the one thing she had ever asked me for.
I strode that way with Paisley at my heel. Timid hope filled Evelyn’s face as she watched us coming. I stopped two feet away, barely able to scrape the words free. “Evelyn, this is Ms. Dae. She is going to help you learn how to take care of your horse.”
That hope flared and a shy smile took to her face as she looked at the woman who stood like a flame beside me. “Which day are you?” Evelyn asked. “Today is my favorite day because I get to pet Mazzy.”
The woman giggled at my side. “Well, Ms. Dae is a different kind of a day.”
Evelyn’s shoulders went to her ears, and she swayed. “Well, I guess I like all the different days.”
For a moment, Paisley just stared at her like she was caught up in the sweetness that was the child. I had to clear my throat to break her out of it, needing to get out of there before I got swept up, too.
“Enjoy your lesson, Evelyn.”
I moved away from them but found I wasn’t able to force myself back to my office in the house. The entire reason I’d hired Ms. Sandberg was so she could keep a watchful eye on Evelyn so I could continue to work.
But no.
I loitered, watching.
From afar, I watched as Paisley knelt in front of Evelyn, saying something to her that I couldn’t hear. Evelyn gave her the slightest smile before she took the hand Paisley extended, unsure yet filled with her innocent faith that I couldn’t fathom still remained.
How was it possible it wasn’t completely tattered and torn? Shredded and mangled? Nonexistent?
I began to pace within the confines of that nonexistence, agitation a hurricane battering my insides. It was a wonder I was able to stop myself from barreling over to stop Paisley as she led Evelyn toward the corral.
Nothing about this felt safe. I’d brought Evelyn to Time River, to this ranch, thinking that’s what it would be. Where it was secluded and sheltered. Hidden away from the rest of the world.
What I hadn’t anticipated was Evelyn becoming obsessed with the horses. Like she was just going to stay in the house all fucking day and never venture out?
She’d actually come to me, which she never did, and asked if she could ride one. The next day, I’d purchased the Appaloosa filly, promised it would be the gentlest I could find, already tamed though young enough that Evelyn would be able to grow along with it.
Safest bet.
But right then this bullshit wasn’t feeling all that safe.
Paisley talked to Evelyn nonstop as they walked together toward the stall. Paisley Dae all but skipped, reckless the way she was, no caution in her step. White waves cascaded down her back, glinting in the sunlight, her legs tanned and toned and exposed thanks to those fucking shorts she thought prudent to wear for an interview.
My cock jolted at the sight, the same way as it had when I’d walked up to find her bent over the corral fence.
Her ass was a round, ripe fruit begging to be bitten.
Or spanked.
A little punishment might do her well.
Digging into my pocket, I pulled out my phone because I needed a distraction. A place to direct this cagey rage still blustering through my blood at the nonsense this woman had already pulled.
Ryder answered on the second ring. “Caleb, man, how is it goin’?”
“I think you know exactly how it’s going.” I couldn’t keep the accusation out of my voice.
When it came to Evelyn, Paisley Dae was everything I couldn’t tolerate.
Uncontrolled and wild.
Reckless.
But still, I hadn’t been able to let her walk away.
Ryder laughed the way he always did. Loud and free and like he didn’t have a care to be counted. “Paisley is there? She’s great, right? What did I tell you, brother?”
My attention traveled to where she was in front of the gate of the corral. Once again, she knelt in front of Evelyn, though this time she had her by the outside of the shoulders. Her stance serious, like whatever she was saying she was trying to emphasize to her.
My throat nearly closed off when she then situated Evelyn off to the side and stood to unlatch the gate.
