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“Hadley?” Liam’s low voice brought her back to the present. He’d closed the door to the stallion’s stall and stood regarding her with concern. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I was just thinking how lucky Maggie is to grow up in this world of horses.” And she meant that with all her heart. As a kid Hadley had been such a nut about horses. She would have moved into the barn if her parents let her.
“I hope she agrees with you. My brother doesn’t share my love of horses.” Liam turned from the stall, and they continued down the aisle. “You miss it, don’t you?”
What was the point in denying it? “I didn’t think I did until I came to Wade Ranch. Horses were everything until I went off to college. I was remembering how much I missed riding and what I did to cope.”
“What did you do?”
“I focused on the future, on the career I would have once I finished school.”
“I’m not sure I could give up what I do.”
Hadley shrugged. “You’ve never had to.” She considered his expression as he guided her through the doors that led into the arena and wondered what it would be like to be him, to never give up something because of circumstances. “Have you ever considered what would happen if you lost Wade Ranch?”
His grin was a cocky masterpiece. “I’d start over somewhere else.”
And that summed up the differences between them. Hadley let life’s disappointments batter her. Liam shrugged off the hits and lived to fight another day. Which is exactly what drew her to him. She admired his confidence. His swagger. What if she hadn’t let guilt overwhelm her after Anna’s accident? What if she’d stood up to her parents about selling Lolita and changed her major when she realized teaching wasn’t her cup of tea?
“I wish I’d gotten to know you better back when I was racing barrels,” she said, letting him guide her toward a narrow wooden observation deck that ran the length of the arena.
He handed over Maggie. “You could have if you hadn’t disappeared after my advice helped you win the sweepstakes. You were supposed to thank me by taking me to dinner.”
“I thought you were kidding about that.” Only she hadn’t. She’d been thrilled that he’d wanted to go out with her. But Anna’s accident had happened before she had the chance to find out if his interest in her was real. “Besides, I wasn’t your type.”
“What sort of type was that?”
She fussed with Maggie’s sweater and didn’t look at him. “Experienced.”
* * *
Liam took the hit without an outward flinch. Inside he raged with frustration. “I’m not sure any woman has a worse opinion of me than you do.” It was an effort to keep his voice neutral.
“My opinion isn’t bad. It’s realistic. And I don’t know why you’d care.”
Women didn’t usually judge him. He was the fun guy to have around. Uncomplicated. Charming. With expensive taste and a willing attitude. But Hadley wanted more than an amiable companion who took her to spendy restaurants and exclusive clubs. Glib phrases and seduction wouldn’t work on her. He’d have to demonstrate substance, and Liam wasn’t sure how to go about that.
“I care because I like you.” He paused a beat before adding, “And I want you to like me.”
Without waiting to see her reaction, he strode across the arena toward the horse being led in by one of the grooms. He’d selected four young horses to show Hadley in the hopes of enticing her to get back in the saddle. Why it was so important to see her ride again eluded him. As always he was just going with his gut.
Liam swung up into the saddle and walked the gelding toward the raised viewing deck. “This is a Blue son. Cielo is three. I think he has a great future in reining. At the moment I personally own eight horses and I need to pare that down to five. I’m going to put him and three others through their paces, and I want you to tell me which you think I should keep and which should go.”
Hadley looked appalled. “You can’t ask me to do that. I’m no judge.”
“When I’m done riding all four you will tell me what you think of each.” He bared his teeth at her in a challenging smile. “I value your opinion.”
He then spent ten minutes working Cielo through his paces all the while staying aware of Hadley’s body language and expression. With Maggie asleep in her arms, Hadley had never looked so beautiful, and Liam had a hard time concentrating on his mounts. After he rode all four horses, he had a special one brought out.
