Texas Tough (The Tylers of Texas 2)

They stabled Storm Cloud, giving him a rubdown along with some hay and water. “He’s doing a lot better,” Sky said. “But if he’s mishandled, or if he’s left alone for too long, he’ll be right back where he was. Ride him every day if you can, so he won’t forget what he’s been taught.” His unspoken message was clear. As far as Sky was concerned, neglecting a horse, as she’d done, was as serious an offense as neglecting a person.

They left the barn and walked clear of the bright floodlights. He matched his long strides to her shorter steps but made no move to reach for her hand. “I take it I’m still in trouble,” she said.

“With me or with Storm Cloud?” At least he’d mellowed enough to needle her.

“I’m guessing I’m in trouble with both of you. So how can I redeem myself?”

“I’ve already told you what you can do about the horse,” he said.

“And you?”

“No promises, but you might want to start by explaining.” He glanced down at her. “You said your father found out about us.”

“He guessed after talking to Josh Hardesty. I didn’t deny it. He wouldn’t have believed me if I had. There was an awful scene. He called me names—names I won’t repeat out loud.”

“We both knew it was bound to happen. I’m sorry, Lauren. I should never have let things go as far as they did.”

The words Sky spoke weren’t the ones Lauren had come home to hear. Torn between cursing and weeping, she willed herself to speak calmly.

“He threatened to spread lies about you, to ruin your reputation if I saw you again. I knew he wasn’t bluffing. My father has powerful connections. He would have used them to destroy you. I couldn’t let him do that. I was on a plane to Baltimore the next day.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me, or even to tell Beau?”

“I didn’t know what to say. I was going to e-mail you when my plans came together. They never really did.”

They walked in silence, their moon-shadows falling long over the dusty ground. She’d spent most of the return flight thinking about what to say to him. But face-to-face, none of it had come out right. So far she’d played it badly, saying all the wrong things, making a fool of herself. And now it was too late to take it back and start over. All she could do was stumble on.

“Just one more question,” he said. “After being in such an all-fired hurry to leave, why did you come back?”

For you. That was how she’d planned to answer. But she should have known Sky wouldn’t be ready to hear those words.

“I came back after I realized there was nothing for me in Baltimore. I’d moved beyond that place and the things that happened there. But I wasn’t through with Texas—and Texas wasn’t through with me.” Good answer, even if it wasn’t the whole answer.

“What about your father?” Sky asked.

“I’m back in the house for now, staying out of his way. But I won’t stay there any longer than I have to. I’m already checking the ads for a place in Blanco Springs, to rent or even to buy. If I can’t find a decent job, I’ll start my own accounting business.”

He frowned. “I can’t say there’s much call for an accountant in Blanco, except maybe at tax time. You might find things pretty lean.”

Lauren tossed her hair, feeling his eyes on her as she brushed it back with her hand. “That’s the beauty of the Internet. I can work anywhere, with clients from all over the country. All I need to do is connect with them.”

His flicker of a smile warmed her. “You’re one smart lady, I’ll say that for you. But why Blanco Springs? It’s nowhere.”

“Because I can still do work for the Prescott Ranch from there, and for Beau as well, if he hasn’t fired me by now.” Lauren had realized early on that her only chance with Sky was to get her own place in town, away from her father, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.

“I guess Hoyt Axelrod’s old house is still vacant. His kids are long gone. They’d probably be glad to sell it.”

“I’ll think about it. But the idea of living in that place sounds kind of creepy.”

He laughed. “I know what you mean. If you want, I can ask Tori, Will’s ex, for the name of a good Realtor. She’ll know somebody.”

“Thanks.” They’d passed the back corner of the house and were headed for Lauren’s car—not what she wanted. She put a hand on his arm, stopping him. “When was the last time you had a moonlight dip in a nice, cool swimming pool?”

He hesitated. “Can’t say as I recall. Is that an invitation?”

“If you want it to be.” She tugged his arm. “It won’t take long. Besides—” She wrinkled her nose in mock distaste. “You don’t exactly smell like a rose garden. What makes you think I’d allow you in my car?”

“I’m a cowboy. I’ve put in a long, hot, honest day’s work, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to apologize for how I smell.”