“Did you ask the owner, Lucinda, about that the other day?”
The boy’s ears turn red, a sheepish look crossing his face.
“Nah, that’s alright. She just mentioned it to me, is all.”
Mallory watches us with a blank expression, her body completely still.
“I saw you at Boots on the Lake with my parents. It was my first concert. You kicked ass.”
I’m pretty sure he shouldn’t be saying ass, but I just smile and nod. “Thanks, man. My full name is Cameron Walker James, but out here I’m going by Cam.”I look over at Mallory. “I’m trying to keep it on the down-low while I’m out here.”
“Okay. Nice to meet you.”
“Same, bud.”
We shake hands, and he runs back to his parents, his mother mouthing Sorry. I wave it off, my stomach in knots as I turn to Mallory.
“I think I’m finished here.” She pats Cinnamon on the snout. “Maybe later, sweet girl.”
“Mallory—“
“You should probably go help someone else, Cowboy.” She walks backward several steps, holding my gaze, before pivoting sharply on her heel and leaving the barn.
Izzy notices and elbows Kate, who runs after her sister.
Bree and Izzy approach as more guests step into the barn for the morning ride. Bree gives me a long, disappointed look as her sister’s wince says you messed up in a big way, Walker.
Carson looks from them to me and gives a head nod, understanding that something’s up. Since I wasn’t slated to work the barn this morning, I nod back and step out of the barn with the Winthrop sisters.
“That could have gone better.” Bree cocks her head at me, her hands on her hips, the Sun Ridge Records emblem practically shouting disappointment from her long-sleeved tee.
“It’s not great.” Izzy glances at her sister, then at me, fidgeting with one of the ties on her blouse. “She doesn’t do well with surprises like that.”
“Who would?” My words are sharp, directed fully at myself.
“You don’t get to be surprised by her reaction, Walker. You didn’t do a very good job of being incognito. Someone was bound to recognize you.”
“I’m not surprised by her reaction, Winthrop. I’m angry at myself for falling for a woman that I lied to.”
Izzy’s gray eyes pop wider. “You’re falling for her?”
I shrug, scrubbing my hand over my beard. “I am.”
“You can’t play around with her heart, Walker, or Cameron, or whatever you want me to call you. She’s got young boys who deserve the best.”
“I know. She showed me pictures and videos. They’re amazing and strong and look just like their mom and aunt.”
A wide smile stretches across Bree’s face. “I think you are smitten.”
“Definitely smitten.”
Izzy doesn’t smile. “Then you need to fix this. On Mallory’s terms. And if I know her? She’s already packing her bag. So it will have to be in Indigo Hills. Because this isn’t the right place for all the grovelling you’ll have to do.”
Chapter 10
Mallory
“I can’t believe he lied to me. It’s like I handed the him the knife and said, ‘any time now.’”
