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She’d been on a crazy downward spiral before she’d come to the ranch, and although she felt a bit more grounded than in past months, she still didn’t have her feet beneath her. The last thing she needed, in the grand scheme of things, was to get caught in a maelstrom of sexual tension with the extremely charismatic Sam Bennett.
Even when he was doing his quiet, contemplative thing, he stirred something inside her.
They reached the inn and she said, “Thanks for the pep talk. Hopefully I’ll do a better job with tonight’s desserts than I did with Midnight.” She placed a booted foot on the bottom step that led to the veranda. Sam gently gripped her forearm.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s a healing process with him. Takes time.”
“I know.” She sighed. “There’s just something about that horse. Something that makes me want to convince him he’s safe now and no one will be cruel to him ever again.”
Maybe it was the reassurance she’d gained since coming to the inn and being surrounded by such caring and giving people that she wanted to pass on to Midnight. But how to do it?
With a shrug, she said, “I guess I have to keep visiting him and talking to him to make him see I’m one of the good guys.”
“Think he already knows that. Just give him a little time, darlin’. You might be surprised.”
“I hope so.” She pulled away and ascended the short flight of stairs. But over her shoulder, she said, “Thanks again, cowboy.”
* * * * *
On Wednesday night, Sky put sorbet samplers in the freezer and chocolate mousse in the walk-in cooler for any dessert requests that might come later in the evening, and knocked off early. She changed from her baker’s jacket into a slinky black dress with spaghetti straps, a structured bodice and a flirty, flared skirt. She paired the garment with black boots that had decorative silver tips and thin silver embroidery up the sides.
She applied a little more makeup than what she wore when she worked in the kitchen, and added a crimson lipstick that popped against all the neutral shades on her face and the black dress. She tossed the tube and her compact into her silver snakeskin clutch and met Reese in the reception area.
Her friend whistled in appreciation. “Good Lord, Sky. You are a woman who knows how to turn heads.”
“Actually, it’s nice to have an occasion to wear a dress. I’ve been living in my jeans since moving back to Texas. And it’s a good thing we’re going to Pietro’s tonight. I’m sure word has gotten ’round that I’m in town, and my aunt and uncle will be rabid if I don’t visit them soon.”
“You’ve been checking your cell phone a lot,” Reese noted. “That’s not Ruby and Mike calling you?”
Sky instantly tensed.
“What?” Reese asked, clearly not missing Sky’s bunched shoulders.
“It’s not my family calling. It’s the sidewinder.” With veiled threats. Apparently, he didn’t intend to leave her alone ’til he got his hands on her money.
Reese’s brows drew together. “I thought that was all over.”
“Yeah, me too.” She’d issued her own threat, after all, when he’d busted into her trailer in Luckenbach a month ago. “Apparently, he’s not into giving up. Makes me wonder what he’s done that has put him in such a jam, he’s near desperate for some cash.”
“Well, you’re not giving him a dime, are you?”
“Hell no,” she scoffed. “I made that damn clear. If he had a legitimate need for it, I’d be more inclined. But after he snowed me in Nashville… I just know he’s into something I don’t want to be a part of. And the only way to get it through his head that I am o-u-t is to ignore him.”
She headed toward the double doors at the entrance of the inn.
“That’s not going to agitate him more, is it?” Reese asked in a worried tone as she followed along. “He did destroy your last phone.”
Not the worst he’d done to her, by any stretch of the imagination. But Sky couldn’t say that to her best friend. Despite Reese’s neverending support, Sky didn’t have the heart to explain what had really happened with Mac Willett. And knew her own dignity would suffer a huge hit if anyone ever found out.
The staff at the Painted Horse Ranch & Inn didn’t need to worry over one more abuse case.
“He’s just rantin’ and ravin’,” Sky said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I can deal with that. I let it go to voicemail and then hit delete.” She was also fairly certain she’d gotten her point across that she wouldn’t kowtow to him if he came after her again in Luckenbach. Sky kept a 9mm close at hand these days. Not only did she know how to use it, she wasn’t afraid to.
“Maybe you ought to think about staying at the inn,” Reese said when they stepped out onto the veranda. “We’re not getting a lot of bookings just yet, and you taking a room isn’t going to hurt anything.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to be an imposition. And I’m certain Mac won’t be coming back to Texas. On top of that, I have the cutest trailer in Luckenbach. Bought it from a widower and remodeled it inside and out. It’s about the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen. Only things missing are a lush front lawn, some rose bushes and a big, beautiful garden, which I intend to see to over the next few months. I’m also adding a monitored security fence around the lot.”
“That’s wise,” Reese said, still concerned. “Kinda stresses me out that you’re living in Luckenbach all by yourself, with no one around. Not only are you pretty, Sky, but—again—you are a recognizable face, even if you don’t think of yourself as a celebrity.”
