AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He gazed at her expectantly.
“I think I’d try doing what you do. Training yearlings.”
Dax’s feet slowed, though the music continued to play. “Really?”
She nodded, but then her gaze swept around them. “I think we should keep dancing though.”
He jumped. “Right.” Once they’d found their rhythm again, he studied her. “Why would you want to train horses?”
“Well, it’s a little bit of two things, really. I want to train yearlings, but I’d also want to volunteer at a place like that therapy thing you were talking about. Remember when I told you about the time I fell from that horse? Well, I would want to help kids gain their confidence with horses, too.”
“Training yearlings is a little different than training the horses to work with people. We set up the foundation—”
“I know. We train the horses to listen to their future trainers. But I think working with both the yearlings and then with the people who need help would give me a more rounded experience, don’t you?”
“I guess so.”
She beamed at him. “I never thought I’d even enjoy being here, but I’m beginning to forget what it was like back home. I feel like if I left, a piece of me would stay behind.”
“I can understand that,” he said quietly. “This place seems to have figured out how to crawl into your heart and make you realize you can’t live without it.”
“Yeah. And I can respect that.” The music stopped and a song with a faster beat started up. The bass grew louder, making it more difficult for her to hear his response.
Dax nodded his head toward the back doors. “Do you want to get some fresh air?” He didn’t exactly wait for a response. Instead, he grasped onto her hand and tugged her off the dance floor.
They found themselves outside on a wrap-around style porch that oversaw the biggest property she could imagine. Slate Rock Ranch was large, but a lot of it was contained in the woods where they couldn’t develop it. The scene before her reminded her of the scene in that animated movie where the lions discussed their kingdom.
The sun had already set, but the sky still reflected enough sunlight to show just how far Shane’s property extended. There were several barns already constructed along with pastures that were fenced in.
Sarah’s eyes narrowed, squinting as she made out the trails that snaked through and around different grassy areas. It wasn’t completely developed, but she could tell that Shane had a vision for this place. It was more than impressive; it was extraordinary.
She let out a sigh. “Wow.”
Dax huffed, turning and leaning against the rail. “It’s not all that great. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is practically a saint for wanting to create this place for those who need it. But he’s not doing the hard work.”
Sarah snorted. “Do I hear a hint of jealousy?”
He shook his head. “Hardly. That guy has money. That’s all. He brought his money here, made the place his own and he’s making a difference, but do you think he ever had it rough?”
And just like that, Sarah knew she’d made the right decision. Dax had a prejudice against Shane solely because he had money. If he didn’t like the guy when the guy was a “saint,” what would he think ofher? Especially when he found out that not only did she have money, but she was also a miscreant who harmed others with no sense of consequences.
All these thoughts churned in her mind. Her family’s money had never done anyone any good. They’d kept it for themselves and their own selfish reasons.
She swallowed thickly and stared out at the property even as it got so dark that she couldn’t see it. “What would you do if you had money?”
He let out a bark of laughter. “What?”
Her tone was serious, drawing his focus even more. “If you were in Shane’s position and you had money. What would you do with it?”
His brows pulled together, low over his eyes. “No one has ever asked me that before.”
“Well, I’m asking you now. What would you do with, say, a million bucks?”
This time his laugh was more sarcastic. “What kind of question is that? I would never see that kind of money in my entire life.”
“It’s just a getting to know you question.”
“Okay, I’ll play.” Dax turned around, resting his elbows on the railing and staring out at the black fields in front of them. “If I had a million dollars, I’d buy a ranch.”
