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“You be a gentleman,” he said firmly. “No silly flirtin.” The stallion shook his head, then let out a snort. Noah chuckled. He treasured the communication he’d developed with Stetson over the years. Taking the reins, he was about to lead the horses to the arena when Ellie reappeared wearing her helmet.
“That was fast,” he remarked. “Here, you take Candy and follow me out.”
“Noah, I’m not keeping you from doing other things am I?”
“Yep, but I’m lookin’ forward to this. Sometimes takin’ a break is more important than gettin’ work done.”
“You have so many sayings!”
“I guess I do,” he replied as they walked down the aisle, but the moment they stepped outside he felt a chill in the air.
The temperature was dropping.
Staring across at the mountains, he guessed the weather would be over them in a couple of hours, but they’d only be gone a short time. Turning his attention back to Ellie, he watched her move the mare into position, then step up and climb on.
“She’s such a dream,” Ellie exclaimed as she clucked and Candy moved forward.
“Yep, she’s a sweetheart. But horses pick up on how their rider is feelin’. You’re relaxed, so she is too,” he said, placing his foot in the stirrup and swinging into the saddle. “Are you ready?”
“I’m so ready!”
“Stetson will walk a bit faster this time, and Candy will want to keep up, so expect more pace. This will be good for her. She needs the exercise,” he declared as they started off towards the field. “So, what did your father say that upset you.”
“I, uh, I may have jumped the gun,” she admitted sheepishly. “I told him I thought something valuable was hidden in the house and Bethany was looking for it.”
“I see—and you did that because…?”
“Because the minute I heard his voice I couldn’t stop myself.”
“What did he say?”
“He was quiet for a second, then he said…crap…”
“He said crap?”
“No…it’s just…I’m supposed to keep this to myself, but it’s not fair. You should know.”
“Don’t tell me if he—“
“I have to, and it’s a big deal. He wants me to stay out of the house indefinitely because the FBI contacted him and told him there are individuals—that’s the word he used—actively looking for some items once belonging to Whittaker that have yet to surface. They believe those individuals will attempt to enter the house to search for them and he and anyone else there could be in danger. That’s exactly what he said. I almost dropped my phone.”
She had interrupted him and rattled off the information in a fast-paced torrent of words.
“So you were right, at least about something possibly bein’ hidden there. What about Bethany?”
“He said he didn’t want to discuss her and he had to go. That’s when I told him I was staying with you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
“He said he doesn’t even want me in the cabin.”
“I agree,” Noah said gravely, “and not just because the house might be targeted. If Bethany had no qualms about confrontin’ you in a public parkin’ lot, what would she do if she decided to go after you in that cabin.”
“Oh, my gosh, you’re right! I hadn’t thought about that. I told dad I’d get my car, pick up my painting supplies, and stay gone until this is all over. But Noah, honestly, if I’m in the way, or—“
“Stop! You’ll stay for as long as you need, and you can set yourself up in the guest room and paint in there. Just know I’ll come in and throw you on that brass bed when the spirit moves me.”
“Very funny.”
