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“Shadow’s gone on harder runs than that,” he says. “He’ll get cooled down and spend tomorrow resting.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No, redbird, I’m not hurt.”
He kicks the back door open and enters the hall. His housekeeper, Maddie, appears at the end of the hall, wringing her hands. I know I must look terrible. Dirty, sweaty, in just my night slip. I probably smell terrible too.
“Can you make a tray up like last time?” Gerard asks.
She nods. “Right away.”
His boots ring out as he carries me up the stairs and into his bedroom. A sense of safety creeps over me as he sets me down. He walks past me and pushes open a door on the opposite end of the room, revealing a bathroom.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he says.
I hesitate. “May I have privacy?”
He turns on the shower and steps out. I slip into the bathroom, but he pushes his boot in the door when I go to close it.
“Leave it cracked,” he says. “I don’t want you passing out in the shower alone.”
There’s no point in arguing. He’s one of those belligerent men with a head thicker than wood.
I nod, pushing it until it’s just ajar, and duck behind it. I know he could easily see through the opening and catch my reflection in the mirror, but I don’t care. I’m cold and shaken and I want tosleep so badly. I want to take two Benadryl and fall into a stupor that lasts hours.
I fold the painted mare into the blanket from the barn and lay it on the chair. Then I strip naked and drape my slip over top, hiding her away.
My head aches as warm water spills down my sore body. When I close my eyes, all I can see is orange fire and the shadows of my horses disappearing into smoke.
Grimly, I wash my hair and body until I don’t reek. When I step out, I notice there’s a light gray sweatsuit sitting on the floor. I try it on, surprised to find it’s my size. The soft fabric is a balm to my shocked body. I lift my hand and turn it, studying the little Sovereign Mountain insignia embroidered on the left cuff.
He’s got his name on everything, now he’s got it on me.
Shyly, I leave the bathroom. He’s on his phone, standing by the fireplace. My stomach flips. His profile is gorgeous. Big arms and hands. A flat stomach and broad chest that rises to a thick neck. Hair slicked back with sweat and short beard shading his jaw until it looks like stone.
He sees me and sets aside the phone.
“Gerard,” I whisper.
He clears his throat. “What is it, redbird?”
“What about my horses?” My throat feels raw and my eyes burn.
He moves across the room and touches me and my whole body warms. His rough palms slide up my forearms and cradle my elbows. He’s so tall I have to crane my neck back to look up into his face.
“I promise I’ll send out my best in the morning,” he says. “Horses are smart. They’ll be fine until we find them.”
There’s a knock at the door and he goes to retrieve the tray from Maddie. Like last time, he doesn’t let her in. I wonder if he lets anyone but me into his bedroom.
I’m hungry and limp as the shock wears off. Exhaustion makes me bold, and I crawl into his bed, sitting up against the pillows. If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it. He just sets the tray in my lap and points to the food.
“Eat,” he says. “I’m going to shower.”
He shuts the bathroom door and I look around, stunned. Sovereign Mountain feels different than last time. More like a real home. Maybe because before I had a choice to stay or leave, but now I have nothing to go back to. Either I stay here with Gerard Sovereign or I take the little money I have left, beg him to defer my debt, and try to find another place to call home.
A minute ago, I was so tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Now I’m buzzed.
