me to even discuss things?”
She forced herself to meet his gaze. “You know what, Mikey? I’m just as entitled as you are to be given space to work out how I feel about things. Maybe it’s your turn to back off and not expect me to instantly be ready to do what you want when you want it.”
He blinked and swallowed hard. “Okay, I mean I’m sorry, I just . . .”
“Thank you.” She nodded and went past him, her keys clenched in her fist. “I’ll see you both later.”
Even as she drove up to the ranch, she began to doubt herself. She’d always gone out of her way to make sure her kids felt listened to and validated, like her parents had done for her. When she’d first told her dad about Sean’s abusive behaviors, he’d believed her one hundred percent and done everything he could to make sure she felt safe and could get out.
But maybe Mikey needed to learn something, too; that his actions had consequences, and that she wasn’t a machine but a real live human being who had a right to feel hurt by his behavior. She wasn’t mad at him anymore. She just needed some space.
She pulled up outside the ranch and went inside to make sure everything was ready for Juan’s return. She’d stopped at Maureen’s and gotten fresh milk and produce so Julia, Juan’s daughter, wouldn’t have to stop in Morgantown after the long journey home. Cleaning had always soothed her. Her therapist said it was a way of maintaining control over something when everything else was in chaos, and she couldn’t disagree.
Eventually there was nothing left to do. Beth sent a text to Julia to let her know she’d come by at the end of the week. In return, Julia sent her a picture of Juan watching the rodeo and grinning like a fool.
Beth was still smiling as she locked up the house and went toward her car. The sound of a horse neighing made her look over toward the barn and the paddock behind it. She stuck her keys in her jeans pocket and marched over to the fence, shading her eyes against the sun.
“What the heck are you doing here?” she called out.
Conner turned the horse around, his face shadowed beneath his hat, and came slowly toward her.
“It’s okay. I asked Mr. Garcia for permission.”
She pointed at his leg. “You’re supposed to be resting up!”
A smile kicked up the corner of his mouth. “That didn’t seem to bother you a couple of nights ago.”
She felt her skin heat up and it wasn’t entirely due to the sun. “I didn’t know you could ride.”
He shrugged. “I worked as a hired hand in Texas one summer. I was just trying to see if I remembered how it all works.”
As usual he was underplaying his ability. He looked damn good on a horse to her. Suddenly aware that she was chatting away with him like nothing had happened, she straightened up.
“Okay, I have to go now. Mikey came back.”
“And you came out here?”
His penetrating gaze cut right through her and she sighed.
“I didn’t know what to say to him. I needed to think.”
“Understandable.”
“So, I’d better get back there and try, I guess.” She smiled. “See you around, Conner, and thanks for your help the other day. I really appreciated it.”
She turned toward the barn. Man, he looked good on a horse, but why wouldn’t he? He looked good all the time. She wanted to lick him all over like an ice cream.
“Beth?”
She wished she had the resolve not to turn around, but she didn’t.
“What?”
He gestured at the gate. “Could you open that for me?” He rubbed his injured leg. “I’m not sure I can lean over right now without falling off.”
She stomped back toward him and unlatched the gate. “I told you this was a stupid idea. If you can’t bend down to reach the gate, how the hell are you going to dismount?”
His smile was crooked. “Er, I was hoping you’d help me with that, too.”
He didn’t sound very apologetic, but as Beth already knew how much it cost him to ask for help for anything, she didn’t take offense.
“Fine. Come over to the mounting block.”
He clicked to the horse and walked over to the newly renovated barn. Beth waited as he lined up the horse and then took hold of the bridle.
“You’ve got this.”
“I damn well haven’t.” He grunted as he slid his booted feet out of the stirrup. “Me