his crap, and I laugh.
This is Cornelius’ roost and apparently he’s not going to let anyone forget it.
He’s got his pride, I have to give him that.
I feed and water the horses and Cornelius, then open the wide doors leading into the corral. The snow has melted considerably. It’s actually starting to feel like what must pass for spring heat in rural North Dakota.
I walk out into the corral and around it, through the center, back and forth several times, looking for any icy patches that the horses might slip on. A broken leg would be a final straw right now.
The ground feels firm, but not slick.
So I walk back inside and let both Stern and Rosie out of their stalls. Their hooves clop the ground softly as they follow the fresh air blowing in.
As I’m following them into the corral, I look at Cornelius. “What about you, my man? Want to get a little sun?”
As if he knows exactly what I said, he flutters down off the stall and walks to the door with us, his long white tail feathers waving with each step.
Out in the bright sunshine again, I can’t help but appreciate the beauty.
Not just the sunny day, but the place itself.
It’s a gorgeous ranch.
Private, isolated, remote, and totally country despite the multimillion-dollar estate.
Anyone would feel safe out here tucked in their own little luxury island among the fields that must green up beautifully in the summer and the rolling hills in the distance. North Dakota doesn’t have the kind of sky-kissing mountains you find farther west, but it’s pretty in its own way.
A loud thud breaks my trance, staring off at the horizon.
I spin around, recognize Ridge, and try to act like he hasn’t just scared the bejeezus out of me.
He knows my cold, aloof statue thing is an act.
At least he doesn’t say it.
The look in his eyes tells me without words.
God. It’d be so easy to tell him what was truly going on when I freaked out on him in his office.
Well, maybe not easy, but it might be nice to share the weight, the burden, if only it weren’t my cross to bear.
Mine and Dad’s.
Not a reclusive movie star’s.
“I see Corny sweet-talked you into letting him outside,” Ridge says, arriving at the open doors leading into the corral. “Hope your ears aren’t bleeding too much.”
“I hope it’s all right,” I say, cracking a smile. “The horses need some exercise. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“No need. The rooster does what he wants, when he wants, and he’s happy to shout it from the rafters. This is his kingdom.” Ridge waves a hand back at the barn. “He’s got it made here, and he knows it. He’s not leaving and abandoning all of this for cougar territory.”
There’s a soft breeze blowing. I hold my face up, letting it wash over me.
I never imagined I’d want to be a chicken—a rooster, specifically—but what Ridge said is true.
Cornelius has it made.
Anyone who lives here has their own lovely slice of peace and quiet. It hurts my heart how rare, how unreachable that seems.
“How’s Nelson doing this morning?”
“He slept well last night,” I say. Then, because I’m so worried, I add, “I’m not sure if it’s the meds or if he’s...”
“What?” he presses, those blue eyes shifting a shade darker, soft seas to midnight blue.
“I don’t know. Getting worse. He slept almost all day yesterday and last night. That’s not like him.”
“The sandman’s a hell of a healer, darlin’.”
“I know,” I admit, huffing out a breath. I just can’t get past what the pharmacist said about pneumonia.
I’d searched the symptoms last night.
Dad has them all. He also has what seems like congestive heart failure, just like the ER doc suggested, and a whole conglomerate of other illnesses that made me bite my lip with worry.
“I’ve got a guy showing up here soon,” Ridge says. “No one to worry about. He’s a neighbor and a friend, part of the Dallas police. Drake Larkin.”
“Oh?” I’m sure he wants me to know so I don’t freak out, seeing a stranger around.
That’s thoughtful, but it also makes me feel like a complete nervous Nellie.
“We talked. I didn’t tell him everything, but he knows about those fucks and the SUV. He’s bringing over some surveillance equipment to help reinforce this place.”
My spine shivers. I glance his way, staring at his profile.
He’s incredible from every angle. The scattered light and darkness dancing across that corded, rock-hard body captures my attention, makes it way