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“Sometimes, I have a stallion named Stetson, and that’s the name of this place. Stetson Farms, but Sunny is his barn name. Sunny like the sun in the sky. You’ll understand why it fits when you meet him. I’ll clear up these dishes and we can go over there.”
“I-uh-I only have what I’m wearing and my stilettos.”
“You’ll have to. You can’t go in barefoot. Just be sure and walk carefully.”
“Uh, Noah…” she began hesitantly, “what did I tell you last night?”
“About what? We talked quite a bit. You needed to vent.”
“How did I end up here? Was it because I couldn’t drive and refused a taxi? I hate taxis.”
“Partly,” he replied, lowering his voice. “Ellie, you said you couldn’t go home because you’d had a fight with someone.“
“My father’s new friend—assistant—whatever she is, The Bitch From Hell,” Ellie said with a heavy sigh. “Was that all I told you?”
“Pretty much. Other than that, you were a bit rude.”
“Oh, my gosh, I remember. You threatened me.”
He laughed.
“I threatened to spank you, but gettin’ back to this woman, does she have a name? You don’t have to tell me, but it might be easier.”
“Yes, she has a name. Cruella DeVille. Can we go and see the horses now?”
CHAPTER SIX
While Ellie returned to the bedroom for her shoes, Noah cleared away the breakfast dishes, and idly wondered why she was so concerned about their conversation the night before. But Sherlock interrupted his thoughts. Knowing they’d soon be going to the barn, he began running around in circles, barking excitedly.
“Yeah, Sherlock, we’re goin’,” he said with a grin.
“How does he know?” she asked, stepping into the kitchen and laughing at his antics.
“He always seems to be one step ahead of me. Come on, fella, I’ll race you.”
As Sherlock darted from the kitchen, they followed him down the hall to the front door.
“I just remembered, my sister leaves her rubber boots here,” Noah declared, abruptly stopping at the hall closet. Quickly opening it, he reached down and pulled them out. “They might just fit.”
“That would be great,” Ellie replied gratefully. “I don’t fancy trying to walk through a barn in these heels.”
“And, of course, she left socks in here as well,” he exclaimed, lifting them out. “I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s just the sort of thing she’d do. Always prepared, that’s her.”
“What’s her name,” Ellie asked, taking off her stilettos.
“Nancy. My mother thought it would be cute. Noah and Nancy. I never really got it but—“
“I do,” Ellie replied as she pulled on a sock and tried sliding one foot into a boot. “I bet it was adorable when you were—“ but before she could finish she lost her balance and reached out to him for support.
He quickly moved his arm around her waist.
As she straightened up and turned to face him, she was irresistibly close. It was morning, and she was sober, yet the same hunger he’d seen the night before lingered in her eyes.
The chemistry between them crackled.
Her lips parted.
He longed to lean in and press his mouth against hers.
