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And if she doesn’t realize it yet, she will.

“Wow,” Poppy whispers.

“My thoughts exactly,” Wayne whispers back.

I take a too-large bite of my casserole and chew, trying to ignore that all three of them are still watching me like I’m an exotic animal in a zoo.

“What?” I finally ask. “Stop staring at me and eat.”

Ducking my head down, I will myself not to look at their knowing expressions any longer. I’m not sure what the hell they think they know, but my siblings clearly believe something’s going on between me and Hattie.

Or they’ve noticed that I…notice her.

If I’m that transparent to my siblings…does Hattie notice, too? Notice the way my eyes track her every movement, how my gaze rests on hers for a bit too long, how I keep her stack of firewood piled high, so she never runs out because the thought of her being cold at night keeps me awake.

I tried not to notice her. I really did. But between her surprisingly impressive work ethic, her equine instincts, and the way she brightens up everything around her…how could I not?

I’ve been a prick to her, too, trying to push her away. Whatever…feelings…I’m having, they’re not something I can act on.

I can, however, stop being an asshole.

I enjoyed our time together this morning, it felt like we were…friends. I liked that.

And Hattie could probably use a friend instead of some douchey farrier who keeps scowling at her.

CHAPTER 17

Hattie

I’m just stepping out the front door of the guest cabin when my phone rings. Hank gave me the Wi-Fi password, so I can use my phone now.

Pulling it from the pocket of my riding pants, I groan when I see my mother calling for the millionth time. I stare at the screen for a few seconds before gritting my teeth and swipe to answer. I can’t put her off forever.

“Hello,” I say, resting my backside against my kitchen counter.

“Harriet!” My mother’s voice sounds so relieved. “I thought you might never answer.”

“I considered it.”

She sighs. “Loren informed me you canceled your flight home. Is everything okay? You should be home training for your next show.”

“You realize I’m a grown woman, right?” I ask. “I’m twenty-five. I have a college degree, and I make a good living. You don’t need to micro-manage me.”

“I know we’re having a rough patch, but can you at least admit I’d had a part in your success?” She sighs. “Don’t I get any credit? Your training wasn’t cheap, and neither was Oakley. I invested in you, darling. An investment I was more than willing to make. I can’t let you just throw it all away to mope around in Montana.”

I huff an annoyed laugh. “Moping around? I think you mean meeting my birth father.” This woman has told herself an interesting narrative. That’s for damn sure. Of course, I’m grateful for the equine training. But I got where I am because of my own hard work and grit.

“Listen, I’m trying to be understanding. You’ve met Hank Daniels, but you’ve been there for ten days. It’s time to come home.” There’s a beat of silence, then she continues. “I’m the one who raised you, who drove you to your practices and shows. The one who tucked you in at night.”

“Getting to know Hank doesn’t take away from any of that. There’s room in my heart for more than one person.” I close my eyes to calm myself. “Hank has twenty-five years to catch up on, though. And that’s your fault.”

A strangled sound comes from the speaker. Like my mother wanted to scream at me but muffled it at the last second. “Harriet Kimball Townsend, you can’t be considering extending your stay even longer?”

I roll my eyes, pushing off the counter and heading outside into the crisp fall air. The colorful fall leaves on the trees are beautiful against the mountains in the distance. It makes me smile for a moment, before my mother’s shrill voice comes through the speaker again.

“If you don’t get back here in time to train for your next show, I’ll have your things removed from the cottage.”

“I’m confused, Mother…are you trying to get me to come back, or make sure I never speak to you again?” I kick a pile of dirt at my feet. “I like Hank. I enjoy being here and getting to know him. Why can’t you allow me that much?” My chin wobbles, my tough exterior cracking. “Is it such a big deal if I miss one show?”