Leslie’s eyes lit up, her desire for more activity outweighing any lingering discomfort from the accident. “I can be ready as soon as I clean up in here.”
“I do love your enthusiasm, sweetheart. Damn, these are good.”
“Thanks. My sister taught me how to cook and passed Mom’s recipes down to me.” A shadow darkened her eyes before she averted them. “I haven’t made them in a while.”
He poured more syrup over his fourth serving. “You haven’t spoken to your sister since entering the program?”
“No. I was allowed to tell her I was entering it and say goodbye. She understood but I miss her.”
He hated seeing a return of that desolate sadness on her face. “Then let’s hope the Feds can find something on this guy soon. Come on. Let’s finish and get going.” With luck, his surprise followed by her first ride would perk her up.
Kurt helped her clear the table and then she shooed him out to finish by herself so he could check on his father before they left. It didn’t surprise him to find Leland staring out his bedroom window. Taking a deep breath, he decided it was time to bring up why he’d separated himself from Leland and his home for so long. If he expected Leslie to open up about her past, he could do no less.
“Monday will be ten years.”
Leland’s shoulders went rigid at the reminder and Kurt didn’t need to see his face for proof he wasn’t happy. “You don’t have to tell me. I’ve suffered her loss every damn day since, without you or your mother around to help bear the grief.”
“You can’t blame me for that. I’m no more responsible for Mother’s cancer than I was for Brittany’s drug and alcohol abuse,” he retorted. Bracing for a return of accusations, Kurt jolted when his father agreed.
“You’re right, you weren’t.”
The relief rushing through his veins propelled him forward. “Well, that was a long time coming.” He needed to speak with him face to face, but Leland held up a hand, halting his stride.
“Go on now. Weather is supposed to turn next week. Get your girl out while it’s still doable.”
That familiar implacable tone halted Kurt. He used that same inflection when he was determined to have his way. At least Leland had finally admitted he was wrong to blame him for his sister’s behavior and death. That was a start, and something he’d all but given up hope of hearing. “There are pancakes in the kitchen. We won’t be gone long.” Not wanting to push his luck, Kurt left him alone to continue his silent vigil.
Leslie waited for Kurt at the front door, glad to see he was still in a good mood following a visit with his father. She never knew when an argument would erupt between them.
“Where are we going?” she asked when he clasped her hand and led her toward the small barn instead of the corral where his horse stood watching him.
“Since you’re wanting something to do, and feel up to moving around more, now’s a good time to give you the gift I picked up a little while ago.” Opening the door, he ushered her inside, the scent of hay and livestock hitting her nose, her curiosity changing to a giddy thrill when he stopped at the first stall.
Leslie had been waging a war against falling in love with Kurt since the night they met, and slowly failing. That was why, upon learning the accident was a deliberate attempt on her life, she’d pounced on that excuse to distance herself from him, at least physically. But as she gazed at the two poorly kept miniature horses from the auction, she lost another battle to keep her heart safe, and this time was in jeopardy of losing the war.
“They’re yours, Leslie,” Kurt said, opening the stall gate.
“But…” She reached out and petted the solid black one who nudged her hand. “I know nothing about how to care for them. And what if I have to leave?” The thought cramped her stomach. Staring at her with soulful eyes were two more reasons to stay.
Waving an impatient hand, he frowned and tightened his grip on hers. “We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. The vet has them on a special diet to put on weight. They’re still too nervous to turn loose with other horses, but the guys get them outside every day for a few hours. You can take over that chore starting tomorrow. Come on, let’s get going while the sun’s high.”
As soon as they exited the barn, she turned to him with a beaming smile of gratitude, unable to recall when a gift had meant so much. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’ll do with them, but I’ll figure it out.”
Leslie wasn’t prepared for Kurt’s jaw to tighten, or for him to yank her against him to ravish her mouth in a deep, tongue probing, possessively hard kiss right there in front of the ranch hands moving about with their chores. Unable to help herself, she sank against him, taking a moment to relish his unbreakable hold and the surge of aroused pleasure it ignited.
Kurt released her as abru
ptly as he’d hauled her against him, his dark eyes glittering with a look that left her as shaken as that kiss. She opened her mouth to say something, she wasn’t sure what, but he pressed a finger over her throbbing lips. “Unless you’re going to tell me you’ve changed your mind about tabling our relationship, keep quiet.”
That firm, inexorable tone tugged at her nipples and produced a damp spasm between her suddenly weak legs, taking a chunk out of her resolve to keep him at arm’s length. She nodded, not trusting her voice.
“That’s what I thought. Let’s go.”
At least he shoved aside the irritation reflected on his face and in his voice by the time he saddled Atlas, swung up on the huge animal’s back and leaned down with an outstretched hand to her. “Trust me, I won’t let you fall.”
Believing him, Leslie grasped his hand and found herself swung off the ground and plopped in front of him before she could take a deep breath. “Oh!” she gasped, daring to look down. Making a frantic grab for Kurt’s arm, she jerked back.
Kurt chuckled and pulled her against him in a snug embrace as he steered the stallion out of the paddock. “Nice and slow. See, not so bad, is it?”